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History of Solano and 

Napa counties, 

California, with 

biographical sketches of 


F868.S66 G8 


13001758 






_ Jgj 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

page; 

Saint Solano — Apostle of the Indies 17 

Soon after the Spaniard came 'the English — The Fair Amazonian, 
"Califa" — Spain In a Mad Dance of Death — The Chain of Missions. 

CHAPTER II. 
Spanish Civilization Moves Slowly _ 21 

Before the Gringo Came — The Lame Padre Junipero Serra — In the 
Sleepy Mariana Days. 

CHAPTER III. 

Appearance of the Russians 23 

Love Unlocks the Golden Gate — Settlements at Bodega and Fort Ross 
— First Real Estate Deal — A Two-Gun Chapel. 

CHAPTER IV. 
A Long-Distance Conflict 27 

Sutter Consolidates the Two Forts — Introducing Solano County — Alta 
California Drifts to the Gringo. 

CHAPTER V. 

Life in the Sleepy Man ana Days _ - 29 

Heav3 r Adobe Architecture — Tortillas and Carne for Everybody — Sim- 
ple Civic Governments — No Tax-Paying No Tax-Stealing. 

CHAPTER VI. 
No Ponderous Judiciary Needed 32 

A Wise Alcalde 5 — Society During the Easy Spanish Era — Ever Charm- 
ing Latin Women. 

CHAPTER VII. 
Two Generations of Slumber - 34 

A Ride Not Told in History— The Vaqueros of Alta California — The 
Indian On His Eminent Domain — Vallejo Was Kind to His Red 
Charges. 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Out on the Great Ranchos - 38 

Among the "Floofs and Horns" — Little Local Revolutions — The End of 
the Missions Inevitable — The Officials Who Did Not Toil Nor Spin. 

CHAPTER IX. 
In the "Roaring Forties" 40 

John Charles Fremont — "Pathfinder" — Picked to Find a Path to 
American Occupancy — Picked to Find a New Way — Setting a Pace 
for Sloat — Getting Ahead of John Bull — Protestants of All Ages. 

CHAPTER X. 
The "War" in California 43 

Kearny's Dramatic Appearance — His Inglorious Career — How They 
All Loved Fremont — The Pathfinder's Complete Vindication. 



v i CONTENTS 

CHAPTER XI. 
Story of the Bear Flag 45 

The Grizzly Passant — Fierce Americanos Stay For Breakfast — Cali- 
fornia's First Fourth. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo 47 

The General's Splendid Americanism — Always a Friend to the United 
States — He Was Weary of Mexico and Her Blunderings. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Captain John Sutter - 50 

At the Famous Fort — A House Prepared For Friends or Foes — The 
Splendid Trio, Vallejo, Fremont, Sutter. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Then Came California 52 

A State That Was Not a State — From San Diego to Sonoma — The 
Indian a Poor Pupil — The Franciscan Was a Good Cook. 

CHAPTER XV. 
From San Diego to Sonoma 53 

The Passing of Three Centuries — The Kindly Spanish Priests — Coming 
of American Settlers — Early Leaders in California History. 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Solano — A Wind, a Saint, an Indian, a County 54 

Chief Solano — Valley of The Suisuns — Putah Creek — Suisun Bay — 
Hills the Boundary Lines — Rich Soil and Vegetation — Mineral Products 
— Solano County Comes Into Being. 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Early Settlers of Solano County 57 

John R. Wolfskill and Other First Settlers — Discovery of Gold in 1848 
and Its Effect on Solano County — Benicia the Metropolis — First Legis- 
lature meets at San Jose. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Location of the County Seat 60 

County Seat Convention — Township Delegates — County Seat Moved to 
Fairfield — Hall of Records Erected. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Early Political History of Solano County 62 

General Vallejo, Mexican Military Governor from 1835-1846 — Prefec- 
tures Presided Over by Alcaldes — Fight for Statehood — First Election 
Under New Order. 

CHAPTER XX. 

Mexican Grants 64 

Solano County Originally Contained Six Mexican Grants — Interesting 
Old Documents. 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Benicia the Blessed 67 

History of the Name Benicia — Bob Semple, the Originator of the 
Town — The Bark Confederacion — Benicia Becomes Seat of Govern- 
ment for a Short Time — Industries of the City. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Montezuma Township ;. 71 

Rolling Hills and Marsh Lands — Large Catches of Salmon — Birds 
Landing — Collinsville — The Passing of Montezuma City. 



CONTENTS vii 

CHAPTER XXIII. 
Along the Lowlands 72 

Townships of Denverton, Rio Vista, Maine Prairie, Silveyville, Fre- 
mont — Origin of Town Names. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 
Suisun Township 73 

"The Island" — Early Settlers in the Community — Industries. 

CHAPTER XXV. 
Industries op the Suisun Valley 74 

Fruit-growing Takes First Rank — Dried Fruit a Factor — Cement a 
Valuable Product — Building the New Courthouse. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
Vaca Valley 75 

Manuel Cabeza Vaca — Solano Statistics — Acreage of Grain — Number 
of Fruit Trees in the County. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 
Navy Yard — Mare Island 77 

The Necessity for Ship Repair Station on Pacific Coast — Commodore 
Hanscom First Naval Contractor at Mare Island — Introduction of 
Electricity — Gradual Improvement of the Navy Yard — How the Island 
Received Its Name — Commandants of Mare Island to Date — Navy 
Yard of Today. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
Vallejo 86 

City Named for General Vallejo — The General's Generous Grant of 
Land and Gifts of Money — Early Buildings in the Town — First Cele- 
bration of Independence Day — -New Year's Day 1855 — First Newspaper 
— Election of Town Officers — Vallejo's Picturesque Site — Vallejo 
Schools — Vallejo's Homestead Association — Vallejo Land and Improve- 
ment Company — Building and Loan Association — Vallejo Postoffice 
— Society of California Pioneers — -Vallejo Savings and Commercial 
Bank — Citizens Bank — Newspapers — City Water Works — Vallejo City 
Water Company — Churches — St. Vincent's Benevolent Society — Fra- 
ternal Orders. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

In Vaca's Fruited Vale 124 

Ideal Location of This Garden Spot — Once a Great Cattle Range — 
Pioneer Grape and Fruit Raisers in the Valleys — Growth of the Indus- 
try — Suisun Valley Fruits — First Eastern Shipment of Fruit. 

CHAPTER XXX. 
A General Description op the Geological Features op Solano County... 133 

Characteristics of the Mountain and Valley Formation — Action of the 
Rivers — History Told in Rock Formation — -Limestone Industry at 
Cement — Other Minerals Quarried. 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

The Native Vegetation of Solano County 136 

Three Distinct Floras — Oaks Most Persistent of Silva — Spring Time 
Carpet of Flowers — The California Poppy. 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
History of Napa County 140 

The Mountains and Valleys of the County — Flora of the County — 
Geology of Napa County — Soils — Land Grants — -Veterans' Home — 
County Infirmary — Railroad History — Electric Railroad. 



\ 



V 1 1 1 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

Viticulture of Napa County 147 

This County the Pioneer in Wine-grape Growing — First Wine Cellars 
Erected — Growth of Wine Industry — Establishment of Government 
Experiment Vineyard. 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 
The; Trees, Shrubs and Flowers of Napa Valley 150 

Description of the Valley — The Douglas Fir, Yellow Pine. Coast Live 
Oak, Oregon Maple, Redwood — Shrubs of Napa River Basin — Spring 
Time Carpet of Flowers. 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
Farmers' Organizations 153 

Patrons of Husbandry — Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company — 
Poultry Association. 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 
City of Napa 155 

Napa's First Building — Sweathouse Dance — Description of Early Set- 
tlement of Napa — Industries — Water Companies — Banking Institutions 
— Newspapers — Fire Department — Military — Clubs, Lodges, Goodman 
Library — City Parks. 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 
Institutions of Learning 164 

The Napa Collegiate Institute — Napa Business College — Old Mound 
School — Central School — Lincoln School — Napa Washington School — 
Napa Franklin School — Napa High School — Napa Ladies' Seminary — 
Churches — Tong War of Napa — Conclusion. 

* 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

Bench and Bar 170 

Napa County Well Favored in Her Legal Representatives — C. B. Seeley 
— C. B. Hartson — W. C. Wallace — Henry Edgerton — Wirt Pendegast — 
Dennis Spencer — Henry Hogan. 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 
St. Helena 174 

Its Early History — J. H. Still, the Father of the Town — School History 
— Public Library — Baptists Establish First Church — Incorporation of 
Town — St. Helena Water Company — Napa Valley Electric Company — 
Splendid Stone Bridges — Town Officers — Fire Department — News- 
papers — Banks — Hotels. 

CHAPTER XL. 
Calistoga 177 

Location of Calistoga — Origin of Name — -Town Surrounded by Pros- 
perous Farming Community — Hot Sulphur Springs — Calistoga's Water 
Supply — Methodists Erected First Church — Schools. 



I 






INDEX 



A 

Abernathie, George W 1025 

Adams, John B... 484 

Aden. Martin R..... 545 

Aebi, Frederick 1029 

Ahern, Jeremiah 436 

Allan, George C 1003 

Almada, John B 805 

Almada, Manuel C 793 

Alumbaugh, William E., M. D 780 

Andersen, Charles H 540 

Andersen, William P 370 

Anderson, Andrew F 448 

Anderson, Hans 401 

Anderson, Niels C 353 

Anderson, Perry 375 

Anderson, Peter 421 

Andrews, William 270 

Armanino, Lawrence 614 

Armstrong, John 800 

Ashwell, Charles 340 

B 

Bailard, Frank E., Jr 1016 

Baird, William G 563 

Baker, Robert E 1019 

Baker, William 184 

Baker, William S 215 

Baldwin, Jabez M 701 

Bassford, Henry A 755 

Bassford, Henry L 234 

Beagles, Mrs. Amanda M 558 

Beagles, William H 557 

Beddoe, Henry 1007 

Belew, Thomas F 1034 

Bell, Charles E 549 

Bell, Edward S 788 

Bell, Horace G 323 

Bell, Theodore A 852 

Bender, Elias 46C 

Bentley, Samuel W 486 

Bergh, Henning E 318 

Beririger, Jacob L 285 

Betts Cement Company 509 

Billings, Myron E '. 841 

Bird, Albert S 1014 

Bird, Henry 490 

Bird. John 427 

Blake, George M 665 

Blake, Henry C 457 

Blake, Rev. P. V 764 

Blake, William P 692 

Bleamel, Julius 498 

Bogle, Robert 815 

Boke, John H 546 

Boland, M S 707 

Bolomey, A. Henry 992 



Bornhorst, William F 689 

Bradshaw, John G 979 

Braghetta, Isidoro C 996 

Brandon, Owen H 430 

Brazil, John 1027 

Breen, Thomas J 252 

Brennan, John H 948 

Briggs, George N._ 552 

Bristow, Samuel D 1031 

Brock, Llewellyn T 1013 

Brockhoff, Charles F 324 

Brovelli, Joseph 1025 

Brown, Arthur J 972 

Brown, D. J 968 

Brown, Edward 478 

Brown, Homer G... 883 

Brown, Hon. Jackson F 339 

Brown, William A 507 

Brown, William D 920 

Brubacher, Christian 418 

Bruno, Constant 752 

Buck, William H 894 

Buckles, Hon. Abraham J 334 

Buhrmeister, August L 884 

Bulson, Charles H., M. D.... 286 

Bunce, Harry N 888 

Burroughs, John 1004 

Burton, James H 668 

Butler, Guy K 216 

Butler, Ralph M 198 

Byrne, Rev. Joseph F 702 

c 

Cagle, Samuel K 1003 

Cahill, Mrs. Elizabeth.. 394 

Cain, James 990 

Callizo, Joseph 887 

Campbell, Charles L 677 

Campbell, Francis 848 

Campbell, George P 288 

Campbell, John L 845 

Campbell, Mary F 845 

Canevascini, John, 297 

Cantoni, Charles 995 

Carlin, William J 889 

Carlton, Frank L 231 

Carpenter, Milton 514 

Carter, M. M 860 

Case, Frank S '. 477 

Cases, Albert 513 

Casey, John 1030 

Casper, Albert 472 

Castagnetto, Gerolamo 995 

Castle Rock Vineyard 226 

Cereda, Carlo 900 

Cereda, Domenico 486 

Chapman, Lyman 531 

Chapman, William H 459 



\l 



INDEX 



Chiles, Henry L 459 

Chiles, Joseph IV... 402 

Chrisler, Leslie J 1034 

Christensen, Anton 948 

Christopher, Benjamin F 424 

Chubb, Charles M 1028 

Clark. Abraham 697 

Clark, Alonzo C 850 

Clark, Charles T 304 

Clark. Joseph E 453 

Clark. O. E 554 

Clark, Hon. Reuben 303 

Clayton, Henry B 245 

ry, Rev. William r 244 

Clevenger, [esse D 810 

Coarhlan, John M 817 

Collins, Tames S 

- in, William 1! 

Conner. Newton 53 

Conway. John 845 

k, Edward T 806 

Coombs. Hon. Frank L... ; ~ 

Coombs, Nathan ^: 

Cooper, Charles M 857 

»er, William B 858 

Corcoran, Tames 829 

ett, Hon. Robert .. 240 

Corlett, William H 507 

Crawford. Hugh \ 25 

Crochat, Germain 1006 

Crystal, George W 504 

D 

Dado, Peter A 999 

Dalto, George G 510 

Daly, Times A.. .. 782 

Dalv. Tames D .. 954 

Danielson, John O 101O 

Darden. William C 1012 

Darms, Baltahesar 0^4 

Davidson, John 970 

Davis, James S 671 

Davis. John T 596 

Davis. Joseph 805 

Dearborn, Eugene I 251 

Deming, Charles B 347 

Deming, Edwin E ; 2 

Dempsey, Robert B.. M. D 938 

Denio, Cyrenus P> 914 

Denning, William 918 

Derby, Charles \. 22S 

Derrick, Frank W 893 

Devlin, Hon. Frank R 641 

Dickie. Albert A 559 

Dickinson. Henry E 515 

Dickson, Thomas 310 

Diehl, Philip 823 

Dineen. Patrick 542 

Dito, Peter &3 

Dittmer Brothers o >5 

Dixon. Thomas V 1041 

Doak, David „. 991 

Dodini. Julius 097 

Dolan, Patrick 532 

Donnelly, Terrence C 240 

Doogan, Bernard M 292 

Dos' Reis Brothers 737 

Dos Reis. Manuel 508 

Downey, Tohn T J82 

Downing, William E., M D 985 



Drake. Harry C 721 

Drouit, Frank 890 

Drussel. Eugene T 962 

Duffv. Phillip 987 

Dunker, Henry H 534 

Dunlap, David A 384 

E 

Eaton. Charles F 594 

Ebeling, \\ illiam 528 

Edgcumbe, Joseph C 749 

Edington, Joseph L 1005 

Edington, Thomas B 822 

Elgin, William A 786 

Elliot. Harvey R 527 

Ellis. Frederick W 773 

Elmhurst Academy 787 

Elting, Philip .'. 899 

English, Joseph R 238 

ight, Michael 566 

Evey, Joseph 833 

Ewing, Joseph Z 966 

F 

Fagerberg, Oscar 812 

Falconer, Charles D 274 

Farrington, .Mrs. Sarah T 55° 

Fawver, J. Clark 913 

Fawver. Thomas D 263 

Fenley, Samuel B 828 

Ferrea. Nicholas 585 

Feudner, Edward L .1020 

Filloon, John A 752 

Filomeo, Antonio 1002 

Firchow. Herman H 601 

Fiscus, John B 821 

Fisher. William M 345 

Fitzgerald. James H 708 

Fitzpatrick. Iven P 500 

Fly, Quintus C 847 

Ford, Patrick J 870 

Force, Daniel H $75 

Fossett, Horatio N 955 

Foster, Andrew H 215 

itain, S. H 846 

Fox. Patrick 608 

m, William C 913 

Francis. George M 475 

Freitas. Joe L 496 

Freitas. Tohn E 496 

Freitas. John L 719 

Frese. John B 727 

Furtado, Antonio F 990 

G 

Galbreath. Tames E 5 "2 

Gardner. Capt. George C 369 

Gardner, George F 957 

GarPeld, Zenas W 804 

Garlichs, Garrard L 463 

Garnett. Tames S 635 

Garnett. William H 620 

Gedge. William K 412 

Geer. Hampton S 496 

George, Levi 503 

Gerlach, Tohn 485 

Gildersleeve, C. H 956 

Gildersleeve. Georare W 971 



\ 



INDEX 



x 1 



Gillon, Patrick 911 

Glashoff, Matthias 543 

Glazier, Sutton H 960 

Glendon, John E 912 

Glos, Charles 341 

Godfrey, William S 902 

Golds, Herman W 1004 

Gonsalves, Matheus 999 

Goosen, Henry 725, 

Goossen, William 333 

Gordon, Joseph 821 

Gordon, William 291 

Gosling, Caleb 768 

Graves, John 668 

Greenwood, Chester C 411 

Greenwood, Capt. George H 442 

Greenwood, James A 435 

Greenwood, John Q 387 

Gregory, John M 1043 

Gridley, Erwin S 522 

Griffith, Calvin C 630 

Griffiths, John P 464 

Griffiths, Hon. Walter B 631 

Grigsby, Franklin T 983 

Grigsby, Terril L 446 

Grigsby, Thomas A 471 

Grinstead, Willis L 1015 

Gruber, Albert C 666 

Gunn, Harry L 273 

Gustafson, Rudolf 1018 

Gyte. Joseph 899 

H 

Hale, Guy S 953 

Hall, Charles E 859 

Hall, Charles F 434 

Hammar, Alrik 328 

Hanns, Joseph P 715 

„ Hanscom, John 581 

Hansen, Carl 1017 

Hansen, Hans C 644 

Hansen. Hans N 974 

Harley, Jordan R 497 

Harrier, Lewis G 396 

Harris, John W 835 

Harris, Henry H 377 

Harris, William M H33 

Hartley. Clement M ....1042 

Hartley, John 763 

Hartman. Lewis M 809 

Hartson, Chancellor 183 

Hartzell, John W 649 

Haun, Edgar. M. D 454 

Hay, Henry E 908 

Hayden, George W 881 

Hayes, John F 614 

Heald, Edward P 261 

Healy, Jesse L 912 

Heath, Leslie B 503 

Hein, John 638 

Henderson, Orrington L 588 

Herbison, William 491 

Higgins, William 300 

Hildreth, George D 811 

Hill, Ira Z 733 

Hillman, Ernest C 495 

Hobbs, Isaac 543 

Hoffmeier, William 220 

Hogan, Edward F 632 



Hohberger, John 1038 

Holden, Samuel E 989 

Holdridge, Ambrose B 953 

Hollenbeck, John 381 

Holsten, Mrs. Georgine B 752 

Hopmann, Dick 751 

Horan, Micheal 255 

Hornberg, William von G 774 

Hoyt, Joseph H 209 

Hoyt, William K 643 

Huck, John 233 

Hulen, George W 925 

Huls, James W...._ 828 

Hunt, John 975 

Hunter, William 416 

Husmann, Frederick L 363 

Husmann, Hon. George 388 

Huston, George A 757 

Hyatt, Alexander A 901 



Inman, Mrs. Ann E , 950 

Isham, Murray L 459 

J 

Jaensch, Ernest W 785 

Jahn, Jochim 816 

Jansen, Claus F 779 

Jeanmonod, Auguste 476 

Jennings, George A 830 

Jepson, Martha Ann 834 

Jepson, William L 834 

Johnson, Andrew 943 

Johnson, John 690 

Johnson, Martin 943 

Johnson, Peter H 1022 

Johnson. William W — 372 

Jones, Frederick S 282 

Jones, William A 936 

Jordan, Lester L 757 

Joy, Charles 854 

Joyce, John J 1023 

K 

Keene, Kendall C 824 

Kelsey, Mrs. Benjamin 728 

Kelton, Edward A 550 

Kemper, Melchoir 708 

Kennon, Lewis C 704 

Kerr, John A 625 

Keys, James A 336 

Kidd, Joseph 875 

Kilkenny, Anthony 853 

Kilkenny, Thomas A 854 

King, Percy S - 584 

Kiser, Joseph 893 

Kiellander, John -1008 

Kiam, John A 986 

Klotz, Bernard J., M. D 720 

Knapp. Henry H 394 

Knief, J. F 799 

Knudsen, Andrew 416 

Koepp, Frederick 857 

Kreuzier, John J 1038 

Kuebeler, Louis 930 

Kunzel, Wenzel 239 

Kyser, David S 186 



X 1 1 



INDEX 



L 

Lain, William R 533 

Lairamore, James W 661 

Lambert, John W 415 

Lambert, William H 617 

Lambrecht, Julius 908 

Lane, Charles W.... - 770 

Larson, Par E 779 

Laurent, Jean 613 

Lemon, John B 623 

Lemos, Joe F.... 519 

Lennon, Patrick H.... 1001 

Lepori, John 900 

Levansaler, Charles L : 441 

Light, Lucian E 570 

Limo, Louis 988 

Lincoln, Edward F 560 

Lincoln, Harry L 791 

Linder, John J 806 

Little, John D 976 

Little, Wade H 294 

Livingston, Allan T... 281 

Lockie, James S 905 

Loeber, Fred W 775 

Long, Edgar E 219 

Long, Miss Minnie 538 

Long, George W 1013 

Lucas, Manuel 839 

Lucey, Dennis 1014 

Lundell, Hialmar 758 

Lutley, Henry C... 317 

Lynch, Philip B 696 

Lyon, John L 611 

Lyon, John P 538 

Lyons, Herman W 1037 

M 

McCann, William 978 

McCauley, Cornelius 691 

McClane, Daniel 1035 

McCleary, Rush 209 

McCord, James H ....1000 

McCormick, C. E 410 

McCudden, Hon. James 346 

McCune, Hon. Henry E 207 

McDonald, Edwin A 641 

McDonald, James J 376 

McKnight, Samuel J 674 

McKevitt, Frank B 587 

McLaughlin, James F 306 

McMath, Archie B 941 

McMillan, Charles 781 

McMillan, Edward H... 907 

McNeal, Franklin 191 

McNeill, William 1018 

McNulty, James 393 

McQuarrie, Robert 495 

Madison, Peter 798 

Madrid, Manuel 792 

Maeshner, Anton 502 

Maggetti, Julius 1036 

Maier, John D 322 

Malchi, John 797 

Malkmes, Frederick C 644 

Maloney, Patrick H 448 

Manasse, Edward 276 

Manasse, Edward G 949 

Manasse, Emanuel 237 

Mangels, Louis 731 



Mangis, Andrew B 489 

Mansfield, J. M 1009 

March, Henry T 1008 

Marino, Pasquale G 1015 

Marshall, Lindsey P 363 

Marshall, Mrs. Mary.. '. 566 

Marsili, Guido 637 

Mason, George L 716 

Mason, James 678 

Mathews, Mrs. Margaret 297 

Maxwell Nursery 403 

May, George W 382 

May, John H 383 

Mayes, John S 351 

Mayes, Roy D 607 

Mayhood, James 317 

Mayhood, John B 767 

Meacham, Henry M..... 1010 

Mee, George 998 

Melvin, Margaret M 390 

Merriam, Fred J 1026 

Mesquita, Manuel S 988 

Meyer, John 602 

Miles, James L... 358 

Miller, Allen C 869 

Miller, Charles S... 366 

Miller, David M 605 

Miller & Cassidy 470 

Mitchell, Rev. James - 357 

Moffitt, M. M 992 

Monlis, A 204 

Moore, Robert M 974 

Moore, Thomas — - 980 

Moore, William 871 

Morris, John 683 

Morrison, William H 305 

Morsberger, Paul 985 

Mount St. Gertrude Academy 716 

Mount, Timothy N 364 

Mowers, Leonard J - — - 365 

Mueller, John G , -,- 605 

Mugridge, John H - 501 

Mullaney, James A... 679 

Munk, Victor C 498 

Munro, Donald 648 

Murray, Charles A 429 

Musgrave, Benjamin F 863 

N 

Napa Building & Loan Association.... 667 

Neitzel, Charles H 300 

Nelson, Ole - 929 

Neuenschwander, Frederick 851 

Newcomb, Clarence I — - 665 

Newcomb, Lucius S 490 

Newman, Charles H 566 

Newman, Edward W - 703 

Newman, James B 267 

Noonan, John 680 

Norton, Abraham W 865 

Norton, Lewis J — - 756 

Noyes, Arthur P..... 906 

o 

Oberte, Joseph 969 

O'Donnell, William T 564 

Olson, Olof 979 

Opici, Michael 986 

Ornduff, Isaac 872 



INDEX 



x 1 1 1 



Otterbeck, Elias E 776 

Otterson, Charles F 745 

P 

Pacheteau, J 1040 

Pare, James H 818 

Parker, A. B 647 

Parker, C. D 653 

Parker, Theron M 395 

Partrick, Jasper N 875 

Passalacqua, Benedetta 563 

Paul, George 492 

Payne, Mrs. Lucy J 521 

Peck, Nelson F 804 

Peckinpah, Thaddeus E 428 

Pedrick, William S 1030 

Pedrotti, James 905 

Perry, Manuel 679 

Peter, Andrew 981 

Peters, Henry 321 

Peters, G. Henry 458 

Petersen, Henry 440 

Petersen, Lorense 932 

Petersen, William D 973 

Pinkham, George G 769 

Plass, Philip 695 

Pleasants, Ansel P..... 973 

Pleasants, James W 971 

Pleasants, William J 279 

Pratt, Robert H 685 

Pryor, Guilford 582 

Q 
Quarney, John 527 



R 



Radcliffe, William 312 

Radelfinger, Samuel 221 

Rammers, Richard F 929 

Raney, Andrew J 389 

Raney, George W..~ 501 

Rasmussen, Andrew 404 

Reams, James W 210 

Reddick, Leonard 935 

Reed, Samuel L 606 

Renie, Edward 816 

Rhodes, E. B 210 

Richardson, Jerome B 618 

Richardson, William N 829 

Riehl, Gottleib 1027 

Robinson, Columbus T 659 

Robinson, Grant T 1026 

Robinson, Maury 672 

Roos, Frederick 982 

Rose, Fay W...._ 926 

Rosel Albert 941 

Rossi, Anton 1007 

Rowe, Jesse G... 993 

Rowley, John L 637 

Rule, Charles H 192 

Rump, Conrad 329 

Rush, Benjamin F 189 

Russ, George H 895 

Russell, Hiram J..... 1033 

Rutherford, Wallace T 656 

Ryerson, George L 525 



s 

St. Alphonsus Turibius Church 244 

St. Helena Catholic Church 764 

St. Helena Sanitarium 947 

St. Vincent Convent School 827 

Sackett, John E 583 

Sackett, Louis A 942 

Salmina, J. Baptist & Felix 430 

Samuels, William H 720 

Saviez, Frank 887 

Sawyer, Edwin H 655 

Sawyer, French A 275 

Sawyer Tanning Company 250 

Scally, Michael 661 

Scarlett, Franklin 439 

Schaffer, Christopher 371 

Schielke, Herman 516 

Schleicher, John 836 

Schlomer, George 852 

Schmeiser, Carl E 997 

Schulze, Oscar C 551 

Schulze, Otto T 197 

Scott, Ambrose F 324 

Seeley, Chauncey B 599 

Serpa, John F 1028 

Sharp, Lawrence 684 

Shearer, John L 213 

Sheldon, Winfred C 600 

Sherburne, John S 422 

Sherer, Levi 1021 

Shively, J. H 232 

Shook, Silas S 896 

Shouse, Berry 264 

Shubert, Albert 465 

Shurtleff, Hon. Benjamin 201 

Siedenbur?, George (^73 

Silva, Frank M 233 

Silvey, Joseph 447 

Simpkins, Thomas B 750 

Simpson, George W 920 

Siqueira, Louis J 750 

Skoog, George P 864 

Sloan, James 298 

Smith, Charles E 1021 

Smith, Thomas 243 

Smith, William 931 

Smith, William 937 

Smith, William Egbert 327 

Sneed, Wiley T 920 

Snider, Thomas L 660 

Souza, Joseph B 608 

Sparks, Richard A 977 

Sparks, Thomas A 590 

Sparks, Martin V 977 

Spear, Madison 3^2 

Sperry, Asher 246 

Spiers, William 840 

Standard Portland Cement Company 197 

Staniels, William EL... -.1039 

Stanly, John A 195 

Steiger, Alexander 204 

Steiger, Frank A 262 

Sterling, Robert H 738 

Steury, Christian 348 

Stewart. Robert 293 

Stoddard, William J 445 

Stratton, Samuel 1041 

?*■- "ich, Erne cf T 225 

r , '--- , ybgn. William 451 



X 1 V 



INDEX 



Sullenger, John C 575 

Sullivan, James T 770 

Sullivan, John 433 

Sullivan, Thomas F 1042 

Summers, Andrew G 1032 

Sweitzer, Lowery 1009 

Swift, John J 1005 

Switzer, Burton W 686 



Tate, Hon. Horace P 258 

Taylor, Robert F., M. D 661 

Teply, Jacob 520 

Thomann, John 469 

Thompson, Anton 744 

Thomsen, Lorenz 370 

Tiedemann, Henry 994 

Tiek, William H 944 

Timm, Hans 1024 

Timm, Henry R... 315 

Titel, George 866 

Tobin, Margaret 593 

Todd, James M 923 

Topley, James 577 

Tormey, William J 309 

Torp, Carl A 1035 

Towson, Allen 595 

Towson, William B 409 

Toynton, Harry G 1017 

Trower, Charles E 587 

Troxel, W. T 859 

Trubody, William A 743 

Truffini, Joseph 620 

Trumpler, Walter 624 

Tucker, Daniel L 534 

Tufts, J. B 653 

Turner, Charles M 299 

Turner, George R 569 

Turner, Squire Jackson 944 

Turton, Luther M 982 

Tyther, Richard 740 



V 



Vallejo, Gen. M. G 761 

Vice, Thomas 589 

Vienop, Ernest J 660 

Vogel, Charles 1036 

Vorbe, Ephrem 629 



W 

Wakerley, George 417 

Walker, John 923 

Wallace, Louis L 734 

Wallbridge, Edway M : 502 

Walton, Otto F 672 

Ward, Joseph R 218 

Warner, John M..._ 872 

Watkins, Edmund G 959 

Watson, James N 596 

Watson, Robert C 513 

Watt, William 463 

Webber, Eugene L 726 

Weber, George 312 

Weeks, Samuel J. T 714 

Weinberger, John C 924 

Wells, James C 311 

Whitaker, John R 571 

White Henry K 288 

White, John P 981 

Wickstrom, Carl E 919 

Wilger, Frederick 600 

Wilkinson, Francis A 1011 

Willey, Alden B 713 

Williams, Emanuel V 569 

Williams, Robert 452 

Williams, Robert F...._ 428 

Wilson, Earl G 360 

Wilson, James 733 

Wilson, John 740 

Wilson, John L 439 

Wilson, S. E 710 

Winchell, Merritt G 483 

Witt, Peter 222 

Wolfskill, Frank 3 C 9 

Wolfskill, Sarchel 423 

Wood, William W 709 

Woods, John 917 

Woods, Warren A 519 

Woolner, Benjamin F 739 

Y 

Yates, Daniel S 991 

Yolo, Peter J 996 

York, John 558 

York, William E 565 

z 

Zimmerman, F. F 803 



0511' TTWiE 



COUNTYSOLANO 

CALIFORNIA 



sc^lc 





©IT WSEE 



COUNTY*NAPA 

CALIFORNIA 



18 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

he wandered over these waters. Drake possessed a lifelong hatred for the 
Spanish and all his days he sailed the oceans in pursuit of their ships. He had 
pretty well swept the south Pacific of the treasure-laden galleons homeward 
bound from the Far East to Spain, and had plundered the Spanish ports until 
his little vessel, the "Golden Hind," was almost bursting with millions of 
golden loot. He could not return home by way of the Straits of Magellan, 
as his enemies were watching that route and cursing him most prayerfully. 
They also were supplicating all the saints — not otherwise busy — in the calen- 
dar, also the heathen gods of winds, to waft him safely into their hands. 
This "Perfidious Albion," not having any intention of seeing the prayers 
answered, concluded to go westward around the globe, and trust to luck to 
find through unknown seas his way. He sailed northward along the Sonoma 
coast, but baffled by contrary winds around Cape Mendocino, turned and 
entered a bay in latitude 38°, either Bodega bay or what is now called 
Drake's bay, just south of Point Reyes, in Marin county. Here, on the 
beach, he repaired the Golden Hind for her long journey. While his ship- 
carpenter was patching up the leaks, Drake put in the time annexing the 
whole coast to England, calling the claim "New Albion," because the yellow 
hills reminded him of chalky Dover. In a pile of stones on the shore he 
buried a penny ornamented with Queen Elizabeth's aristocratic face ; then 
he swore she owned all the ranches on this rim of the hemisphere — nothing 
small about Sir Francis. He was a real real-estate man. After a stay of 
about thirty-six days Drake sailed by way of the Farralone islands, slowly 
and surely finding his way into the Indian ocean, down the African coast, 
around the Cape of Good Hope, and home. He believed he was the first and 
only explorer in that region and advised Elizabeth to further secure the 
claim; but she joyfully accepted the gold and jewels he brought her, knighted 
him and dropped the matter. Land-madness among the nations or peoples 
of the earth was not so developed four hundred and thirty years ago. 

In 1594 Sebastian Cermeno, another Portuguese in the service of Spain, 
was sent along the upper California coast by Viceroy Monterey for the 
purpose of finding harbors of call for vessels homeward bound from the 
Philippines. Nothing was heard of the expedition for two years, when a 
small, rudely built vessel came into Acapulco manned by a remnant of 
Cermeno's crew. Their ship, the Augustine, had been wrecked in what is 
now known as Drake's bay and many persons were lost. The next navigator 
to attempt in their poor little ships the uncharted California coast was 
Sebastian Viscaino, who entered San Diego bay in 1602, sixty years after 
Cabrillo. It may be here mentioned that the discoverer called the bay San 
Miguel, but Viscaino changed the name to the one it bears today. While this 
navigator was not the first on the coast, he was the first in energy and enter- 
prise. Sailing northward, he passed and renamed the San Clementi and Santa 
Catalina islands San Pedro — named not for the Apostle St. Peter, but for 
Bishop St. Peter of Alexandria; threaded Santa Barbara channel on St. 
Barbara's day, giving the locality its name, and came to anchor December 
15, 1602, in a noble harbor which he called Monterey, in honor of his viceroy 
and patron. 

The Fair Amazonian California. 

The sudden death of Viscaino checked all the preparations of the Spanish 
government for a large colony at Monterey. This settlement would have 
been one year older than Jamestown, but it died ere its beginning, and one 
hundred and sixty years went by before another Spaniard stood on the 
shore of Alta California. Galleons from Manila crossing the Pacific would 
strike this coast near Cape Mendocino and cruise down to Acapulco and 
Panama, but there being no surveyed ports, they never stopped. The territory 
passed back into the mists of the unknown. The name "California" has come 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 19 

through broken accounts from an origin vague, distant, impalpable. The 
treasure-mad adventurers of Spain, always seeking undiscovered golden troves, 
believed, in the fierceness of their desire, there were other places on the new 
continent rivaling the stored wealth of the Peruvian Inca, from whom Pizarro 
looted so richly and murderously, or of Montezuma, the pitiful victim of the 
insatiable Cortes. Fictionists of the time wrote stories of mighty cities in the 
mysterious west peopled by semi-supernatural beings who jealously watched 
their vast treasuries. One of these writers was Ordonez de Montalvo, and 
his book, "Sergas de Esplandian," published in 1510, told of the mystic "Island 
of California," where beautiful amazons ruled and grim griffins guarded not 
only the feminine wealth, but the mineral treasure as well. The young and 
valiant grandee and knight of belt and spur, Esplandian, meets the wild queen 
"Califa" in her capital city, where, after many fierce fights between his 
followers and her dragon-like people, he succeeds, if not in conquering the 
place, at least in having her fall in love with him. Califa was devoted to her 
Spanish cavalier — something of the devotion of a tigress — and it took all the 
watchfulness and valor of her lover to keep his life secure when she had an 
unusual "tender spell." Her savage griffins had an unpleasant habit of flying 
around on their bat-wings and picking up white soldiers, which they would 
lift to a great height and then drop. Of course, the soldier thus treated was 
of no use afterwards. Because of their bird-like manners, Montalvo in his 
book dipped into Greek and called them "ornis," and "Califa" is from "Kalli" 
(beautiful) in the same tongue. "The T was inserted for the sake of euphony," 
said the late Professor George Davidson, the translator, hence "California" — 
beautiful bird. 

This golden Ali Baba tale was popular with the Spanish knights of 
fortune, and doubtless Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, when he saw the islands 
off the southern coast of this state, named them after the mystic amazon 
queen, as they were first known as "Las Californias." Could he have gone 
further into the province he found and named so fittingly he might have 
won the golden lure that drew him to the threshold of a greater discovery. 
But his death and burial on one of his newly discovered coast-islands ended 
further exploration. 

Spain in the Mad Dance of Death. 

During a slumber-interval of almost two centuries, Spain was moving 
downward. On land and sea her power was diminishing. She yet held 
her many colonies, but her grasp was weak. On the oceans her commerce 
was the prey of any nation or nations who chose to plunder it. English and 
Dutch privateers and buccaneers and freebooters from all parts of the globe 
issued from their lairs to rob her ships and ravish her ports at home and 
abroad. The energy, enterprise, courage and knighthood that had won her 
the highest place among the nations were passing — and she was dying in 
the demoralization of her own wealth and greatness. Her kings and nobles 
were in a mad dance in the midst of a national luxury never before known, 
while the poor were starving. Official stupidity, corruption, disloyalty and 
other forms of decay were rapidly weakening the once powerful kingdom 
and placing her at the mercy of her old-time enemies. Then Spain had a 
partial awakening. Her foreign lands must be colonized and these citizens 
be welded to the home country. Where colonists were not available, the 
natives must be Christianized, civilized and molded into citizens. It was an 
era of missionary zeal — in fact, as courage went down in the soldier it 
came up in the priest — and Spain proposed to use it to bulwark her threat- 
ened possessions. The Jesuits were encouraged to begin their labors in 
Lower California, and among these savages, about as degraded as any on 
the American continent, the padres soon had sixteen missions. They con- 
tinued until the royal edict drove them from the Spanish dominions. The 



20 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Franciscans were given charge of the Jesuit missions of Baja California in 
1768. From a material point of view it was a poor gift, as the sterile lands 
around the missions could hardly support a flock of goats, consequently 
Junipero Serra, the president of the order, moved northward and the chain 
of missions from San Diego to Sonoma was the result of this zealous father's 
labors. This work of occupation and colonization of Alta California was the 
joint work of the church and the state, hence when the work was secularized 
in 1834 — sixty- five years after — the government justified the act on the 
ground that the state was supreme in the control of the property. The 
first mission in Upper California was established at San Diego, July 16, 1769, 
and the second at Monterey, June 3, 1770. The newly appointed governor, 
Gaspar de Portola, marching along the coast from the south, seeking Mon- 
terey, reached that bay but did not recognize it. He continued northward 
and only when he reached what is now known as San Francisco bay did he 
learn of his mistake. Returning to Monterey, the mission of San Carlos de 
Borromeo was founded on the shore of the bay, but the following year 
Father Junipero Serra moved the site of the institution back into the 
Carmelo valley, away from the contaminating influence of the presidio 
soldiers. 

The Rosary of the Missions. 

The other missions were established on the following dates : San 
Antonia de Padua, in San Luis Obispo county, June 14, 1771 ; San Gabriel 
Arcangel, Los Angeles county, September 8, 1771 ; San Luis Obispo de 
Tolosa, San Luis Obispo county, September 1, 1772; Dolores, San Francisco, 
October 9, 1776; San Juan Capistrano, Orange county, November 1, 1776; 
Santa Clara, Santa Clara county, January 18, 1777; San Buenaventura, 
Ventura county, March 31, 1782; Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara county, 
December 4, 1786; La Purisima Concepcion, Santa Barbara county, December 
8, 1787; Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz county, September 25, 1790; La Soledad, 
Monterey county, September 29, 1791; San Jose, Alameda county, June 11, 
1797; San Juan Bautista, San Benito county, June 24, 1797; San Miguel 
Arcangel, San Luis Obispo county, July 25, 1797; San Fernando Rey de 
Espana. September 8, 1797; San Luis Rey de Francis, San Diego county, 
June 13, 1798; Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara county, September 17, 1804; San 
Rafael Arcangel, Marin county, December 14, 1817; San Francisco de Solano, 
Sonoma county, August 25, 1823. 

While the Franciscan missionaries here sowed the seed of civilization, 
it cannot be said that the seed dropped on other than sterile ground — and 
sterility, too, is a term foreign to California. Their voices went crying into 
the wilderness to fall in stony places, stony hearts, and the colonization 
scheme that was to shape the Indian into a militant part of the Spanish 
kingdom only resulted in a string of churchly landmarks stretched along the 
coast, more or less in ruins. Yet they tell a quaintly fascinating story, these 
adobe piles that stand on the "Camino Real," the Royal Road between the first 
and the twenty-first of the missions. They were the stopping places on 
that way — of seven hundred miles — that ran over llano and mesa, over piney 
slopes and oaken meadows, along the sharp ridges and through dark canyons 
northward, always northward. And the Padre Pathfinder, clasping the cross 
to his breast, fearing that death would meet him on the perilous way, walked 
over the sunlit hills where the oats tasseled at his corded waist and the 
poppies dropped their golden petals on his sandaled feet, until the last 
pioneer priest, Altimira, in Sonoma, the "Indian Valley of the Moon," planted 
the symbol of man's salvation and called the wild tribes to prayer — "In 
Nomine Patris." 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 21 



CHAPTER II. 
SPANISH CIVILIZATION MOVES SLOWLY. 

After Portola's accidental "look-in" through the open Golden Gate in 
that early 1769, the Spanish colonization scheme moved slowly from its San, 
Diego beginning. The padres did their part, teaching the aborigines to pray 
and mold adobes, but the civil portion of the so-called civilization lingered — 
slept at the missions, where the priests and their Indian converts had beef, 
beans and wheat to sell or give — generally give. California was the last 
accumulation, the last domain added to the vast empire-kingdom of that 
monarch who was at once an emperor — Charles V of Germany — and a king — ■ 
Carlos I of Spain. He came to the German throne through his deceased 
maternal grandfather, Maximilian, and while fighting in the Netherlands he 
was lifted to the Spanish crown by the death of his paternal grandfather, 
Ferdinand. Charles- — or Carlos, whatever the reader may elect — was a good 
fighter, a good churchman, and made things interesting for his political and 
ecclesiastical opponents. As Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France 
were defeated though not discouraged candidates for the imperial part of his 
double office, and as Martin Luther at that period was shaking Europe with 
the Reformation, the emperor-king had full opportunity to exercise his mili- 
tant characteristics. But they wore him out in thirty years of battle, and, 
resigning his crowns, he died in the peace and silence of a monastery. The 
warlike qualities of his subjects kept him so busy that he did not see his 
kingdom — then the greatest on earth — for years, and the maladministrations 
of his six immediate successors further sent Spain on the downward road that 
ended when her flag dropped in Cuba and the Philippines. In constant ttirmoil 
at home, her far western possessions, Mexico and California, were left to 
get along with only intermittent attention. Between Portola (1767) and 
De Sola (1822) ten Spanish appointees had more or less governed Alta 
California, but these easygoing soldiers of fortune had stayed pretty close 
to the seashore. They found the pueblos of San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa 
Barbara, Monterey and San Francisco more comfortable than the Indian- 
infested inland. The work of civilizing the wilderness and incidentally raising 
food and other luxuries for the government officials and their soldiers was 
left to the mission padres and their native converts. These Franciscan 
priests, when Charles had expelled the Jesuits from Spanish dominions, 
accusing them of plotting against his crown, succeeded to the rights and 
holdings of the deposed order on the Pacific. They also succeeded to the 
"Pious Fund," which had been set apart for the support of the Jesuit mis- 
sionaries in Lower California. This fund, grown to large dimensions and 
withheld by the Mexican government, was returned to the church a few 
years ago by a decision of The Hague. The Dominican order, however, 
had demanded a share in the mission field, and Junipero Serra, president of 
the Franciscans, looking over the sterile, uninviting hills of Baja California, 
where the Jesuits had labored under such discouragements, was willing to 
cede the whole peninsula to the other order. This Serra did, and the follow- 
ing years find him with his co-workers building missions from San Diego 
to Sonoma, seeking the soul-salvation of a savage who had more veneration 
for a pot of "carne y frijoles" (beef and beans) which the good fathers cooked 
than for cross and creed held up to his primitive mind. After the seizing of 
the pious fund, then grown to $78,000, upon which Mexico had kept hungry 
eyes for years, and the secularization of the mission property, the institution 
went down and the great adobe chapels began to crumble back to their 



22 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

mother dust. The Spanish era was the "sleepy" period of California — the 
slumber just before the grand awakening when "the Gringo came." Of 
course the different governors and comandantes frequently aroused them- 
selves for family quarrels, in which there were generally more fluent talking 
and letter writing than real fighting, but a few concessions and cheap compli- 
ments brought peace — till the next row was due. Even when Mexico threw 
off the yoke of Spain in 1822 and had her own emperor, Iturbide, crowned 
as "Agustan I" for a few months, the change hardly rippled the placid surface 
of this portion of the new Mexican empire. And when luckless Iturbide lay 
dead before a file of Mexican soldiers, as did Maximilian, another emperor, 
later on. the Calif ornians quietly hauled down the new imperial standard and 
as quietly hauled up the tricolor of the republic of Mexico. It was "on again, 
off again " without any powder burned over the changes, in this "manana 
land/' 

Did Not Love the Gringo. 

Yet there was one question that drew these sons of Old Spain into 
something like unity, and while it did not cement the aggregated mass, it 
helped the Californians to present a considerable front to the common family 
enemy. That question was the man from the "States," the North American — 
in contradistinction to the Mexican of the south. From their minimum of 
geographical knowledge they knew that the Great AVall of the Sierras stood 
guard on their eastern border, and over those icy crests they desired no 
immigrant should come. For generations Spain had seen her standards torn 
and tossed on the English bayonets and her armadas go gurgling down in 
the deep at the mere will of the invincible Albion, and no descendant of 
Castile and Aragon cared to come in contact with even a branch of that mili- 
tant race. Moreover, the eagle of America and his brother-bird of Mexico 
were screaming warlike from shore to shore of the Rio Grande, and Texas 
was preparing the way for a march to the ancient city of Montezuma. The 
Spanish in California, with the purblindness which has been a distinct char- 
acteristic of the race always, often carried their senseless antagonism to their 
sole and more powerful neighbor to extreme length. They even desired to 
annex themselves to any one of the European governments whose fleets were 
hovering watchfully on this coast. They knew that it was the world's belief 
that California was a logical part of the United States, and the Stars and 
Stripes would wave on the Pacific beach whenever those color-bearers so 
desired. So to these colonists playing like children at state-building, galloping 
their mustangs over vast hidden mineral and agricultural wealth, yet finding 
it not, slumbering in a long siesta on the shore of a great waterway that was 
to bring to their harbors — after their day — the cargoed riches of countless 
argosies, it was anything but the hated "gringo." It was this knowledge 
that in 1842 hurried Commodore Jones with the U. S. Frigate United States 
into Monterey, where he hoisted his flag, even if he did haul it down next 
day, learning that General Taylor had not yet got his guns to working on 
Santa Ana ; and it was this knowledge four years afterwards that sent Com- 
modore Sloat in the U. S. Steamship Savannah racing up the coast with the 
British Frigate Collingwood, Admiral Sir George Seymour, commanding, in 
the speedy Yankee's wake. War was on with Mexico and the good old 
wooden ship Savannah, fit mother of the modern cruiser of steel, was out- 
sailing her Britannic majesty, the Collingwood, and a state was the prize. 
That was a glorious "ride" over the sea that merits a place in song with 
the runs of Revere and Sheridan, for when Seymour got in port next day 
Sloat's ensign was over Monterey, and it has never come down. 

The Lame Padre Junipero Serra. 

From July 16, 1769, the day Junipero Serra founded his first Upper Cali- 
fornia mission at San Diego, the Spanish colonists, if comparatively straggling 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 23 

bands of ill-clothed, poorly paid or no-paid soldiers, with occasional poverty- 
stricken families, can be called colonists, began to settle along the fringe of 
coast. This "wave of civilization" rolled sluggishly towards the north, led 
always by the indefatigable lame parde, of whom Pope Clement said: "I 
would that I had more junipers like that one in my garden." Under Serra's 
supervision mission after mission arose in the California vales until bis body, 
bereft of the flame of a life-zeal, lay dead in the church of El Carmelo. In 
1817 the Mission San Rafael was established, the beautiful Marin valley 
chosen for an establishment to relieve the poor, unselfsupporting Mission 
Dolores in San Francisco. This brings the reader along the chain of missions 
whose links measure seven hundred miles and whose walls were a half century 
in the building, until he stands at the door of the twenty-first and the last — ■ 
San Francisco de Solano, at Sonoma. 



CHAPTER III. 

THE APPEARANCE OF THE RUSSIANS. 

A decade previous to the establishment of the Spaniards north of San 
Francisco, the appearance of the Russians on the California coast for a time 
threatened to bring another portion of Europe to the new world. But with 
this people it was more a question of sea-otters than of sea-shores, and after 
they had hunted out the furr)^ herds, they sold out and sailed away. This 
nightmare of invasion came early to the sleeping Spanish. In 1792 — two 
hundred and thirteen years after Drake's day — Captain George Vancouver, 
another wandering Englishman, came spying out the land. He visited Yerba 
Buena, and was hospitably received, but he quietly ignored any prior claim 
to the territory. Noting that the country was an easy prey for anybody who 
cared to possess it, he advised his government to grab the entire domain. 
Great Britain just at that propitious time was trying to keep out of the great 
French Revolution, though occasionally taking a shot at Holland and at 
Spain nearer home. Also she was out of money, and the Bank of England had 
suspended specie payments. Moreover, she lately came out of the conflict 
with her rebellious colonies on the Atlantic seaboard second best, and she 
had no strong desire to get into a fresh fight just then so near the truculent 
Yankees. Otherwise, it is probable that a British fleet would have made 
short work of corralling the Spanish settlements along the coast, and California 
might have become a sister province of Canada. After Vancouver's departure 
there was an effort made to prepare for these "foreigners." Plans for port 
fortifications were adopted, one of which points was Bodega. Since 1775, 
when Lieutenant Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, of the Spanish navy, 
explored the bay and gave a portion of his considerable name to the place, 
the Yerba Buena comandantes had apparently forgotten the discovery. 
A military road was projected along the Marin county coast and a battery 
of four guns was menacing the world from the Sonoma shore. But this 
wakeful spell was brief. The military road reached the dignity of a sheep- 
trail and the guns gathered rust for a few months and were hauled back to 
Yerba Buena. Spain had her constant trouble at home, where the European 
states were busy with one another. No more dangerous foreigners appearing 
in the vicinity, California was left to sleepily work out her destiny. 

Love Unlocks the Golden Gate. 

While the otters led the Russians to Bodega bay and Fort Ross, these 
Alaskan colonists had previously visited this portion of the coast. Yet in 
both cases their coming was more accident than design. In Sitka during those 



24 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

early times food — even for a Russian — was a problem indeed, and the principal 
freight-route across Siberia or by sea was long and arduous. April 5, 1806, 
Count Nicholi Petrovich Razanoff, the governor of Alaska, sailed into Yerba 
Buena, his ship loaded with articles for trade and his crew afflicted with 
scurvy. His first reception was neither cordial nor commercial, the peculiar 
trade restrictions of the Spaniards prohibiting intercourse with foreigners, 
although the people and padres needed the goods. Razanoff could have 
bought for cash, as the Spanish port regulations did not taboo Russian gold, 
but unfortunately he was without the coin of any realm. His country- 
people in Sitka were growing hungrier every hour and the stupid Spanish were 
holding the breadstuffs he so wanted. Then love — who laughs at locksmiths — 
unlocked the port of San Francisco. The Count, dancing attendance on 
Comandante Jose Arguello, trying to work that official into a more commer- 
cial attitude, met Donna Concepcion Arguello, and the old, old drama of 
the heart was played. The beautiful California girl took up the work 
that diplomacy had dropped. She consented to marry her noble Russian 
lover, and the stern Don was not proof against the coaxing of his daughter. 
Neither was Governor Arrillaga, at Monterey, for it seems that this fascinating 
Espanol-Americano had her own way in both the capital and the chief port of 
the territory. When Razanoff sailed with his new cargo for Alaska he parted 
from Concepcion forever, for on his way across Siberia to St. Petersburg, 
where he was to get the royal permission of the Czar to wed the Spanish girl, 
he was thrown from his horse. Before fully recovering from his injuries he 
attempted to complete the journey, but from a relapse he died on the road. 
It was years before Concepcion, waiting at San Francisco, learned of his 
• death. She then joined the order of the Sisters of Visitation, and after a 
long life devoted to noble work, died at Benicia. Bret Harte, the California 
poet, has placed in tender vers? this historical page of a woman's waiting years, 
when 

"Long beside the deep embrasures, where the brazen cannon are, 
Did she wait her promised bridegroom and the answer of the Czar ; 
Watched the harbor-head with longing, half in faith and half in doubt ; 
Every day some hope was kindled, flickered, faded and went out." 

Settlements at Bodega and Fort Ross. 

As he passed up the coast, hurrying his shipload of food home to his 
hungry countrymen at Sitka, and also hurrying himself to a meeting with 
the emperor which meant so much to him, Razanoff's mind was not so taken 
up with thoughts of the pretty Spanish girl he was leaving that he did not 
notice that Spain had some localities along the Sonoman shore quite suitable 
for Russian colonies ; much more so than the wintry north. While strolling 
with the fair Concepcion along the bay-beach at San Francisco, he had noted 
how weak were the fortifications and how few were the "brazen cannon" 
her father commanded. In fact, the Spanish never at any time had enough 
power in California to resist the attack of a single foreign ship of war. Only 
a special brand of luck, also that there was then plenty of unoccupied country 
for other land-grabbing nations, also because the incalculable value of this 
territory was a totally unknown quantity to the world, permitted Spain to 
possess California as long as she did. The Russians noted that the waters 
of this coast were teeming with marketable possibilities, especially sea-otter, 
the fur of which was extremely valuable. Nor was Count Razanoff the first 
to notice this harvest of the sea awaiting the hunter, for two years previous a 
sharp-eyed Yankee skipper, Captain Joseph O'Cain, in the vessel the O'Cain, 
had done considerable pelt poaching here, to be followed three years later 
by Captain Jonathan Winship in the same vessel, employed by the Alaska 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 25 

Fur Company. Notwithstanding Governor Arrillaga issued strongly-worded 
pronunciamentos against illicit and contraband trade with foreigners, and 
against equally lawless hunting and fishing in Spanish waters, their vessels 
were constantly hovering around the Farralone islands and Bodega bay, 
and finding excuses to anchor in ports near the missions. In fact, it is 
remarkable how often these sly skippers ran out of fresh water or food or 
were in urgent need of repairs. The Spanish offilcials doubtless made efforts 
to carry out the government instructions, but the articles the courteous 
visitors had to sell or give away were too tempting. That peculiar commercial 
characteristic now known as "graft" must have been equally known in those 
sirhple days "before the Gringo came." Possibly the previous removal of 
the four-gun battery from Bodega in a measure caused the reluctance 
of the Spanish comandantes to obey home-orders. And the universally 
known fact that bribery shoots farther than cannon had much to do with the 
stay of the Russians on the coast. Early in 1811 Alexander Kuskoff sailed 
into Yerba Buena, and not enjoying his reception, in high dudgeon sailed 
out again. He stopped at Bodega bay and, still smarting from the insult, 
real or imaginary, annexed the whole territory to the Russian crown, naming 
it Roumiantzof. He noticed a large stream of water flowing into the ocean 
and called it Slavianki. These euphonious titles passed away with the 
"squatters," as General Vallejo always called them, but the river retained 
the name of "Russian." 

First Real Estate Deal. 

These pioneer squatters were more practical than the Spanish. They 
treated the Indians kindly and showered gifts upon the local chiefs, and went 
through the form of buying the territory they had taken possession of. There 
is no likelihood that Kuskoff was modest in the acreage of the land-present 
which he sliced out of Spanish dominion for the Czar, as it is known that 
Russian surveyors passed through the Santa Rosa and Russian river valleys. 
They ascended Mount St. Helena, leaving a copper plate on that grand land- 
mark inscribed with the date of the visit, and what is more important, the 
name of the Princess Helena, wife of Count Rotscheff, commanding officer of 
Fort Ross, a small port some eighteen miles above Bodega. But whether the 
big ranch was within the area now known as Bodega township, with or with- 
out other townships added, old records show dimly. However — and another 
credit to the Slavonians — here is the only instance where the original owners 
of California lands were ever paid for anything. The price gladly accepted 
by the Indians, according to statements made in later years, was three pairs 
of breeches, three hoes, two axes and four strings of beads. Certainly this 
early valuation of land was not a boom figure, but it must be remembered 
that California soil was figuratively and literally rated "dirt cheap" in those 
days preceding the dawn of the more modern real estate man with his florid lit- 
erature. But this peculiar purchase had its long, long day in court, as it passed 
to Captain John A. Sutter for $30,000, finally to William Muldrew for about 
one-fifth of that amount, and for years clouded the land titles from Tomales 
bay to Cape Mendocino. "Pie de Palo" (Foot of Wood), as the Spaniards 
derisively called Kuskoff because of his wooden leg, remained at Bodega 
seven or eight months, making good use of his time, notwithstanding the 
warlike protests from Yerba Buena. With his twenty Russians and fifty 
Kadiac Indians he secured two thousand otter skins worth in the world's 
market at that period nearly $100 apiece, and built a large storehouse on 
Bodega point. While the Russian farmers are noted the world over for crude 
workmanship, Kuskoff's agriculturists around Bodega which he had formed 
out of his fur hunters seemed to have done well. He built a commodious 
farmhouse at Bodega Corners and put under cultivation considerable grain 
land. 



26 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

A Two-Gun Chapel. 

On his return to Sitka with his rich cargo of skins and equally rich 
accounts of the mild summer spent at Roumiantzof. Count Baranof, the 
Russian chamberlain, was easily persuaded to found a permanent settlement 
on the California coast. As Russia and Spain were then as much at peace 
with each other as was possible in those stormy days, it is quite possible that 
the Russian official was acting under secret instructions from St. Petersburg. 
As the Slav visitors at Yerba Buena had used their eyes around the poor 
fortifications of that port, the imperial government had little regard for 
Spanish objection, and was fully advised of Spain's inability to defend her 
dominions against invasion. A place on the seashore about eighteen miles 
north of Bodega, called by the Indians "Mad-shui-nui," was selected. Of 
course the newcomers had their "tribal" name, but the one they gave the settle- 
ment, "Kostromitinof," was too burdensome for the general usage of the 
time. The Spaniards called it "Fuerte de los Rusos" (Fort of the Russians), 
and this finally evolved to Fort Ross. Knowing the possibility of a hostile 
visit from the Spaniards or their allies, the Indians, the Russians built 
strongly and well. With a rude sawmill they got out lumber from the nearby 
redwood forest and erected a high stockade on the bluff overlooking the 
ocean. This enclosure, a rectangle containing about two acres, was at once 
a village and a fort, and the ingenious construction of its walls and bastions 
•showed the frontier skill of this sturdy, self-sustaining people. The stockade 
was of thick planks, the lower ends mortised into heavy timbers placed under- 
ground, and the upper ends of these boards or slabs, twelve feet above, were 
again mortised, every mortise being keyed with a wooden peg. Two angles 
of the wall were further protected with octagonal bastions twenty-four feet 
in diameter and two stories high, and built of hewed redwood logs strongly 
fastened together, and the whole covered with a conical roof. At one of the 
angles was the Greek Catholic chapel thirty-one feet long and twenty-five 
feet wide. As two of its walls were a part of the enclosure walls, they were 
strongly constructed and were portholed for cannon, as was the entire 
stockade. It must have been inspiring to the Spanish envoys, when attending 
divine service with the Russian officers, to see those guns before the altar 
devoted to the worship of the Prince of Peace, their muzzles pointed towards 
Yerba Buena and ready for business, even when the owners of the battery 
were professing brotherly affection for their visitors, and which profession 
the visitors knew was only entertainment provided by their diplomatic hosts. 
Two domes surmounted this church, one circular and the other pentagonal. 
A chime of bells called the farmers from the fields and the hunters from the 
sea at matin and vesper time. The chapel, also the large and roomy barracks 
building constructed within the fort, long withstood the ravages of the years 
and the neglect of the subsequent occupants of the place. The barracks, 
which had likely only been used by the officers of the fur company, is still 
the residence of the owner, but the church, before the earthquake completed 
its ruin, was in turn a grain storehouse and hay barn. The location from 
a military view was an admirable selection, as the ten and afterwards twenty 
guns of the fort commanded not only the land approaches to the town, but 
protected the shipping in the little harbor, which was itself a cozy cove lying 
under a high northern shore, a defense against the fierce storms sweeping 
down the coast. September 10 — or August 30, according to the Russian 
calendar, which was then eleven days behind the almanacs of other nations — 
1812. they formally celebrated the founding of their settlement with gun 
salutes, mass and feasting. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 27 



CHAPTER IV. 
A LONG-DISTANCE CONFLICT. 

The comandante at San Francisco promptly notified Governor Arrillaga 
at Monterey of this invasion of Spanish territory. The document, flaming 
with indignation, was transmitted to the viceroy at Mexico, who, with 
additional fiery comments, passed the package on to Madrid. After an inter- 
minable stage-wait, the answer and order would start westward, and after 
long stops at Mexico and Monterey would reach San Francisco, but the paper 
would breathe business. "Drive the Rusos into the sea !" would be the royal 
mandate, but as this would have been too big a contract for the Spanish in 
California, the pen, in this case, if not mightier, was safer than the sword; 
so the two parties at issue put in the time letter-writing, and while the matter 
was a serious one to the official scribes, there is a flavor of humor around 
that correspondence which the years do not stale. After the Russian com- 
mander at Fort Ross received the fierce Madrid ultimatum he would send it 
through the chamberlain at Sitka to the Czar. There are many, many versts 
of sea and Siberian plain between Ross and St. Petersburg, and Russia would . 
be farther behind the calendar before the emperor's answer would reach his 
"faithful Kuskoff," who, whatever the outward nature of the paper, could 
readily read between the lines — -"Hold the Fort !" While these polished 
diplomats were sparring for time and unreeling leagues of red-tape that 
stretched from Madrid to St. Petersburg via intermediate points, the Russian 
colonists were busy, and under their industry the new place thrived and grew 
by leaps and bounds. Much of the level land around the fort was put under 
cultivation, and, in fact, during the warmest part of the letter-war that threat- 
ened to plunge the coast into conflict these pioneer farmers of Sonoma were 
placidly sending to San Francisco in vessels of their own building, grain and 
vegetables of their own growing, lumber of their own sawing and leather of 
their own tanning. Fruit trees and berry vines procured from elsewhere bore, 
and were in that early day the commencement of the great acreage of orchard 
and vineyard that add so materially to the harvest wealth of the county. 
The home-made burrs of their gristmills, run by windmills, are among the 
historic relics of Bodega and Ross. The Indians of the neighboring ranche- 
rias were utilized for labor in the fields, while the Alaskans of the colony were 
used in the hunting and fishing. A little coaxing, a tiny drink of brandy and 
an insignificant wage made the Digger a passable workman. Moreover, the 
Russians took wives from out of the Indian camps, an officer legally per- 
forming the marriage services (when no chaplain was attached to the post) 
in the little Greek chapel, whenever the high contracting parties desired the 
blessing of "book and bell." These social and matrimonial alliances were 
of course confined to the rank and file of the company, as some of the officers 
brought out their wives from Russia to cheer the faraway exile. The Russian, 
who is said to be a Tartar below the skin-surface, and who is a fractional 
savage generally, was apparently more skillful in handling neighbor barbarians 
than were the more civilized Spaniards. The final abandonment of Ross was 
wholly voluntary on the part of the Russians. They had cleaned the fur- 
bearing game off the coast ; moreover, the imperial government had agricul- 
tural lands near home. Consequently, as peaceful as was their coming, they 
hastened away, leaving fort, village, farms, the shipping in the little harbor 
and the mounds in the graveyard extending east and west — on the parallel of 
latitude — as Russia buries her dead. 



28 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Sutter Moves the Fort. 

Immediately after the evacuation of Ross, early in 1842, Sutter loaded his 
new schooner with movables, including the guns, which he might find useful 
at New Helvetia should the Californians conclude to make him an armed 
visit. His well-fortified adobe fort had always been practically a place of 
refuge to the Americans, and his kindness to the footsore immigrants trailing 
down the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains made his loyalty to 
the Mexican government a matter of some doubt. It is likely the captain's 
diplomacy and the rifles of his North American hunters, who could shoot true 
and far, had much to do with the toleration of New Helvetia. One of the 
guns removed from Ross is a history-maker in itself. It was a brass four- 
pounder cast in St. Petersburg, and first saw active service when Napoleon 
was whipping the allied forces under the sinking sun at Austerlitz. Though 
the Russians lost sixty pieces of cannon to the terrible Corsican in that 
famous battle, this gun was among the few saved. Sutter mounted the piece 
on the walls of his fort, but when he marched south with his company to 
help Fremont whip Castro, that fighting Californian took it away from him 
at the battle of Couenga. It was afterwards recaptured by the American 
forces and returned to Sutter, who presented it to the Society of California 
Pioneers. The famous gun of two hemispheres received its last baptism of 
fire when it and its kindred relics went down in the flames that swept San 
Francisco, April, 1906. With Sutter, as aids in that conflict, were General 
John Bidwell, afterwards of Chico, and Major Ernest Rufus, who in turn were 
in charge at Fort Ross. The schooner, which Sutter rechristened "Sacra- 
mento," doubtless finding her Slavonian name unpronounceable even for his 
cosmopolitan tongue, became a historical character before she went to the 
graveyard of ships. She passed through a wreck or two on the coast and the 
river whose name she bore, and passed it on to a street and wharf in San 
Francisco ere she went out of commission for all time. 

Introducing Solano County. 

As an introduction to the history of Solano county, the writer takes up 
in part the story of the state — a grand narrative, marching county by county 
towards the north. Sonoma may be said to start the second half of California's 
colonial history, San Francisco and the great central bays being practically 
the division. By "Sonoma" is here meant not the county of that name, but 
the great tract of territory spreading from the Pacific to the Sacramento, 
gathering in Napa, Solano and Yolo, also large slices of Lake and Mendocino. 
General Vallejo's government, when he was appointed to the command of 
the "Department of the Northern Frontier," gave him official control of this 
vast acreage and made him a land-baron indeed. This middle zone of the 
state has a story as distinct as the five distinct epochs marked on its page. 
Indian, Spaniard, Russian, Mexican, American — the invincible "gringo" — 
with the ubiquitous Englishman hovering near, has in turn worked out his 
role on this stage of the continent. The primitive aborigine, faltering in the 
first steps of a new civilization, saw the soldiers of Castile's knightly king 
with sword and cross move over these waters and valleys, stamping their 
monarch's signet into the land that had been the Indians' land since the day 
the Supreme signed the title deeds. Then the bearded boyars of the Ro- 
manoff appeared out of the north and planted the two-headed eagle of their 
sovereign and the double-beam symbol of their faith on the sea-cliffs of Ross, 
and the crosses of Spain and Russia shone at once through the twilight of a 
Christian civilization dawning over these shores. They, too, passed — the 
Castilian back along the track Columbus charted across the sea, and the 
Moscovian into white wastes of his north. Then came the officials of the 
nearby republic that was reared upon the red ruins of the Aztec, to rule and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 29 

wrangle for a while, and cease to be, swept away by the irresistible Saxon. 
And finally the Indian turned from the successive coming and going to go 
before the last and fittest. 

Alta California Drifts to the Gringo. 

Thus in the drama of Las Californias is seen this portion of the territory 
claimed in turn by a kingdom, an empire, a kingdom, an empire (Iturbide's 
in Mexico), a republic (Mexico), a republic (United States). The Californians, 
weary of their Mexican governors, frequently resolved themselves into a 
"free state," and then wandered out again when some smooth politician came 
along with a brass band and a softly worded pronunciamento. The Bear 
Flag independencia was without national or official sanction, and the strongest 
argument for its existence was down in the barrels of its thirty-three rifles, 
but it foreshowed the coming of a new order that was to vitalize the 
Pacific seaboard. The hoisting at Sonoma of the banner of the grizzly — 
softly passant, or mildly regardant, to apply a heraldic term — over the last 
Mexican subject and the last Spanish mission, was well timed. It arose to 
mark the hour when the Republic of California would quietly annex herself 
to the Great Republic of North America. Spain's first — and best — claim had 
long gone glimmering; England's rights by reason of Drake's flying visit to 
this coast had lapsed — beyond the hope of the most sanguine and ardent 
litigant ; Russia barred herself from even the pleasures of litigation when 
she sold the Fort Ross junk to Captain John A. Sutter for $30,000 — about three 
hundred per cent more than it was worth — the captain was a poor trader; 
the Mexican empire didn't live long enough to learn that it claimed anything 
in California, and the Mexican republic was too busy handling its home 
revolutions; moreover, Madre Mexicana was gradually growing weary with 
the antics of her disobedient and troublesome nina, Alta California. The old 
sefiora was almost willing to let the daughter go — providing she did not go 
to the "malditos gringos." And that was the young woman's true destination, 
her final landing place — Kismet ! 



CHAPTER V. 

LIFE IN THE SLEEPY MANANA DAYS. 

This portion of California's history may be called a story of the prepara- 
tion for the coming of the gringo. The American in Mexic lands early 
received this title, and its origin being favorable, he accepted it. During this 
period the ballad, "Green Grow the Rushes, O !" was in the zenith of popu- 
larity, and all English speakers were a-warble. The Mexicans caught the 
constant "green-grow" of the refrain and handed it back as "gringo." The 
secularization of the missions may be said to have been a part of this prepa- 
ration — in fact, no phase or feature of the California mission system could 
be tolerated out of a crude, sleepy, Mexican day that was always "till tomor- 
row." And Spain — well, Spain was an infliction on the western hemisphere, 
notwithstanding Columbus, Isabella and the "Pinta." And yet Spain, being 
here, did well. The world looking over her blunders, her ruins, may see 
amid the debris of what was once her grandeur gleams of something that 
should be marked "good." The "well" she did was in pointing the way 
into the unknown. True, she used the sword — her knightly sword — turned 
and tempered in the test that was supposed to try the metal of the sword 
and the valor of the knight. With the trooper went the priest, and his cross 
was for he healing of the soldier's wounds. It may be that the steel cut 
too deep and too quick for the ministrations of the other instrument — as 



30 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

noted in the propagandas of Pizarro and Cortes ; but the cowled warrior 
of Castile and Aragon among the savage peoples of the new world, was yet 
the invincible Spaniard when the military manhood of Spain was dying. 

Heavy Adobe Architecture. 

But the mother-country seemed to understand her simple people, and she 
selected for them just what they needed. A heavy political organization 
would have crushed them ; so she gave them a government tempered with 
maternalism, gave them burdens easy to be borne, and often failed to note and 
correct their faults. Possibly this lack of supervision made revolutions so 
frequent and popular in Spanish-America. The adobe in which these colo- 
nists housed themselves was not a thing of exquisite beauty — in fact, it was 
not anything but a structure exceedingly ugly ; but it was easily built and 
comfortable when occupied. There was no ornamentation without or within, 
but little variety, and while every man was his own architect and builder, he 
architected and built like his neighbor. Some of the mission churches were 
grand and imposing, while others, like the heavy dwellings of the people 
around them, were massed-up outside of every known rule of architecture. 
The Indian generally was the builder. He soon learned to cast these big 
clumsy mud-bricks, drying them in the sun, first on one side and then on 
the other, then mud-plastering the hard cakes into walls. He was a fairly 
good workman — fairly good for that California day, and not difficult to herd 
onto his job. Plenty of carne when the vaqueros rode in with a fat steer, 
and a little vino from the mission vineyard to wash it down. He never struck 
for more wages, because he never got any. The white man who taught him 
'a new tongue took care that the word "wages" didn't get into it. Probably 
he was as well off herded with the other livestock of the haciendas as he 
would have been running free and rounding up the sprightly grasshopper on 
the golden summer hills. From dirt-floor to tile-roof in the big houses there 
was so little wood or any combustible that the fire insurance business was 
the last thing that got over the mountains into California ; and a full-fledged, 
active agent would have been considered fit for treason, stratagem and spoils. 
Only the aristocrats could indulge in board-floors. A description of the 
gubernatorial mansion in Monterey in 1814 says it was floored in wood ; its 
front door was rawhide and wooden-barred windows let in the sunshine and 
air. The front and upper story, if la casa had such, were the quarters for the 
don and his family, which was generally a large one ; and the other parts of 
the hacienda were for the ranch herders, house' servants and the retainers 
and hangers-on around the place. These latter were Indians, mixed-breeds 
and world-tramps of an unknown moral quality. 

Tortillas and Carne For Everybody. 

The Spanish-Californian was kind to his pensioners. Doubtless often 
in their quantity and uselessness he found them a never-ending nuisance, but 
while he had a league of rancho left or a head of cattle straying over it he 
shared it with them. The wheat lands did not then produce as they did later 
under the plow of the gringo, but there were plenty of tortillas — thin cakes 
beaten into shape by hand and baked before the fire, and eaten at every meal. 
Out under a convenient tree, in the clear, dry air. where it would keep fresh 
until the knife got it all, hung the carcass of beef, and when that was gone 
to the chile con carne pot, there would be more among the wild oats out on 
the hills. Beans — the pabulum of the Bostonese and the proletariat — was the 
chief of the rancho vegetable garden, and the gaudy red pepper — never absent 
from any table or dish of the time and place — grew between the rows. 
Coffee (when the ships brought it in) and wine (in the Sonoma and Santa 
Clara valleys where the grapes grew) were for the padre's table, and water, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 31 

generally, for the rest. While the plains were covered with cattle, milk and 
butter were almost unknown on a Californian's bill-of-fare. It was the enter- 
prising Yankee who went into the dairy business here with the cow. Some 
of the missions had orchards hedged by willows and cactus, but tree-culture 
had little part in the early civilization of the country. Shade-trees, except 
the alamedas along the roads leading to the churches or places of public resort, 
were not in favor. In those days, when the noble oaks, the madrona or mother- 
tree, the peerless redwood and pine, the classic laurel, the wide-leafed maple 
and other princely growths made California a great natural garden, artificial 
planting was not necessary. That was to come when the axe and saw got 
well into the work of destruction among our groves — "God's first temples." 

Simple Civic Governments. 

A civic government in Spanish, dominion was simply and wisely handled. 
It consisted of the ayuntamiento (junta) or council, and its members were 
one or two alcaldes (mayors or judges), two or four regidores (councilmen) 
and a procurador-syndico (treasurer). The alcaldes were the presidents of 
the council. The syndico was not only the custodian of the pueblo coin, but 
was tax-collector, city attorney and a number of other useful and industrious 
things- — for all of which he got no salary. The care of the town money 
was generally the lightest of his official duties, as taxation and expenditure 
were in constant competition for the lowest point. Most all the cooking was 
done in outdoor kitchens, or in ovens, consequently there were no flues or 
chimneys in the walls to keep the fire department busy. The water utility was 
a well in the plaza, where the sehoras met with their ollas or water-jars, and 
the street lighting consisted of a lantern hung before the door from twilight 
to bedtime — or until the candle burned out. Street work ' was confined to 
occasional digging or shoveling before one's own premises. No member of 
the ayuntamiento was salaried — the office in those days sought the man, and 
held him after it found him. And as he was a sturdy old don, inclined to keep 
the municipal coin-sack tied up with a rawhide riata, there was no civic 
grafting in those adobe pueblos "before the gringo came." The few soldiers 
or a volunteer unpaid night-watch did the policing of the town. While the 
word "pueblo" is usually applied to a town or village, the area of an official 
pueblo was four square Spanish leagues, or about twenty-seven square miles 
in square or rectangular form. The lands were laid out in town lots, grain 
lands, public pasture lands, vacant commons, municipal lands (the rental of 
which went to defray public expenses) and unappropriated royal lands, also 
used for raising revenue. As under Mexican domination in California no tax 
was 'evied on land and improvements, the municipal funds of the pueblos 
were obtained from revenues on wine and brandy ; from the licenses of saloons 
and other business houses ; from the tariff on imports ; from ball and dance 
permits ; from the tax on bullrings and cockpits ; and petty court fines. Then 
men paid for their vice and pleasure and the money was put to good use. 
The following from Professor J. M. Guinn's excellently written California 
history, from which this writer has obtained many paragraphs of valuable 
information, will give an idea of municipal economy in the anti-golden times : 

No Tax-Paying, No Tax-Stealing. 

"In the early '40s the city of Los Angeles claimed a population of two 
thousand, yet the municipal revenues rarely exceeded $1,000 a year. With this 
small amount the authorities ran a city government and kept out of debt. 
But it did not cost much to run a city then. There was no army of high- 
salaried officials with a horde of political heelers quartered on the munici- 
pality and fed from the public crib at the expense of the tax-payer. Politicians 
mav have been no more honest then than now, but where there was nothing 



32 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

to steal there was no stealing. The alcaldes and other city fathers put no 
temptation in the way of the politicians, and thus they kept them reasonably 
honest. Or at least they kept them from plundering the tax-payers by the 
simple expedient of having no tax-payers." 



CHAPTER VI. 

NO PONDEROUS JUDICIARY NEEDED. 

The judiciary was as simple as the legislative. Among the Spanish 
pioneers of Alta California there were few breaches of law and hardly any 
crime. The courts weighed the old, old questions of right and wrong, and 
not the verbal formation of a law term,- and Spanish justice was not lost 
under American technicalities. There were few law libraries in California, 
and written statutes were yet in the future. Minor offenses and actions 
involving less than $100 were examined and decided by the alcalde, while 
cases of more weight or importance were passed up to the district or supreme 
courts. Either party could demand a jury, and as this body of three or five 
persons was always picked from the best and most intelligent citizens of the 
pueblo, the case went through the court unhampered by wrangling lawyers 
and archaic rules of procedure. The jurisdiction of an ayuntamiento might 
be confined to a small village or a county, and its authority was often as 
extensive as its jurisdiction. Its members, serving without pay, were liable 
to fine for non-attendance, and resignations were difficult. Even under the 
'government of a Spanish king, three-quarters of a century ago, California had 
the referendum. When a question of importance was before the ayunta- 
miento, and there was a division of opinion, the alarma publica bell was rung 
and every citizen gathered immediately at the assembly hall. Those who 
failed without reason were fined $3. Then and there the public, by the simple 
raising of hands, voted and decided the question. Some of the town ordinances 
were unique, but seem to have filled the bill, even though they often appeared 
to regulate the social as well as the civic functions of the pueblo. From 
an old municipal record it may be read that "all individuals serenading pro- 
miscuously around the streets of the city at night without first having 
obtained permission from the alcalde will be fined $1.50 for the first offense, 
$3 for the second offense, and for the third punished according to law." That 
third punishment must have been too fierce for expression in a municipal 
ordinance. A Los Angeles ordinance threatened : "Every person not having 
any apparent occupation in this city or its jurisdiction is hereby ordered to 
look for work within three days, counting from the day this ordinance is 
published; if not complied with he will be fined $2 for the first offense, $4 
for the second offense, and will be given compulsory work for the third." It is 
evident these old-time city fathers intended to be severe in tramp-treatment, 
but it would be a simple-minded vagrant of any age that could not dodge 
those penalties. Just "keep a-lookin' " and no fine, no work. Some of these 
judicial alcaldes, many of them Americans, frequently handed down judg- 
ment as rare as the finding of an eastern cadi. 

A Wise Alcalde. 

A Sonoma woman complained to the alcalde that her husband, who was 
something of a musician, persisted in serenading another woman, and his 
honor ordered the accused into court. There was nothing in the city ordi- 
nances touching the playing of musical instruments, but the wise judge looked 
beyond the law and saw the fellow and his guitar at the disposal of the wrong 
woman, and he trusted that inspiration would lead him to an equitable adjust- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 33 

ment of the matter. The man was sternly directed to play for the court the 
air that he had played for the too-fascinating sefiora, and after he had 
nervously done so was fined $2 by the very wise and critical judge on the 
ground that music so poor could only be a disturbance of the peace. Occa- 
sionally the padres got into the city ordinances measures tinctured like unto 
Connecticut. Monterey in 1816 had a blue law which ordered that "all 
persons must attend mass and respond in a loud voice, and if any persons 
should fail to do so without good cause they will be put in the stocks for 
three hours." It is presumable that the good father found the attendance 
at church dropping off and took this means of reminding the unfaithful of 
their backslidings. However, there is no record that any of them ever got 
into the stocks, or found the parishional regulations unreasonably severe. 
Tenacious of their ecclesiastical authority, and constantly clashing with the 
military, who were not loath to start "an argument," the Spanish priests main- 
tained a very mild and often vague spiritual dominion over the Californians. 
Possibly a place where nature casts her gifts so lavishly, and where heaven 
sends a benediction in every sun-ray and rain-drop cannot be governed with 
church-charts. These padres, in their strong opposition to a non-Roman 
Catholic society, laid the ban of the church on marriage between foreigners 
and native women. But dogma was no barrier to the pioneer American when 
he found one of the many comely sehoritas willing to annex him to the 
Republic of Mexico and to her fair self. Generally the local pastor was 
willing to baptize the new convert and then marry him to his new wife, but 
occasionally something would appear to delay the "yoking of the daughters 
of the land with unbelievers," or at least with husbands whose new faith 
possessed more sentiment than spirituality. 

Society During the Easy Spanish Era. 

While in officialdom change followed change, often with remarkable 
rapidity for a people of such characteristic slowness, down in the rank and 
file of California there was "never any hurry." Within the big adobes there 
was the same roominess, the same simplicity in furnishings, and on the 
great ranchos the same old slipshod methods from year to year. The rough 
table, a few rawhide-bottom chairs, a bench or two along the wall, in the 
bedrooms chests for the family finery, a rude shrine or a cheap picture of the 
family saint — these were the general arrangements of the dwellings from 
San Diego to Sonoma. While the Spaniard, and all his race, was dressy, he 
was loath to change the style of his fine feathers, consequently the grand- 
father's hat or coat could pass through the third generation. "Fashion" was 
one fever the early Californian did not have. That small vanity came in with 
the American. Yet they dressed well, and often richly; sometimes a don 
would be arrayed in $1,000 worth of apparel — a princely sum and suit for that 
day. His shirt would be silk beautifully embroidered, a white jaconet cravat 
tied in a tasteful bow, a blue damask vest and over this a bright green cloth 
jacket with large silver buttons. Up to 1834 he would be wearing the knee 
breeches or short clothes of the last century, but after that he would be clad 
in the calzoneras the later colonists brought from Mexico. These were long 
pantaloons, with outside seam open throughout the length of each leg, and 
on these seam-edges were worked ornamental buttonholes. In some cases 
the calzoneras were sewn from hip to middle of thigh, and in others buttoned 
or laced with silk cord. From the middle of the thigh downward the leg 
was covered by the bota or leggin. The Spanish gentleman wore no sus- 
penders, but around his waist and over the pantaloons was the beautiful silken 
sash, the most picturesque article of dress the world over, and this could 
always be seen under the ornamental short jacket. Embroidered shoes or 
slippers for his feet, and a black silk handkerchief, gracefully tied, covered his 



34 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

head. A wide-rim, high-peak sombrero, often richly and heavily ornamented 
with silver chains or braid, was the hat of this gaudy grandee. For an 
outer garment was the serapa, the common cloak of the Mexicana, ranging 
from cheap cotton and coarse serge to the costliest silk and the finest French 
broadcloth. It was really a square piece of cloth with a hole in the middle, 
through which the wearer stuck his head, and this hanging over the shoulders 
and down the body as far as the knees made a useful as well as graceful 
article of clothing. 

Ever Charming Latin Women. 

All the world over there is no woman who can wear her clothing so 
well as the ever graceful daughter of Spain. She may have only the simple 
chemisette and skirt, but the combination is becoming, and there is enough 
lace, embroidery, silk and satin, flounces and drapery and brilliant color for 
the completion of the charming picture. A silk or .cotton roboso or mantilla 
dropping from the brow is the outer garment, and velvet or blue satin shoes 
are on her feet. The women of the Latin race, whether they hail from Genoa 
or Andalusia, alone of the world's sisterhood, have learned how to wear the 
hair — and that is without any covering. Hence the Californianne of the 
last century wore her black braids free of the hat or bonnet of the present 
day, and her comeliness has not been improved upon. Her general attrac- 
tiveness and her part in the social destiny of this territory are but a thought, 
and the Americans who wedded the daughters of the land found a pleasing 
cure for the loneliness and other ills of bachelordom. These natives made 
good wives, devoted to their pioneer homes, and good mothers to their large 
families. Whether the foreigner came from Europe or the United States, 
over the Sierras or from the Columbia river country, or by the broad ocean 
to the westward, if he showed a disposition to settle down to home-building, 
he soon found a young woman favorable to the project, and also a large 
segment of her father's big rancho for experimental ground. And as the 
Mexican don for years had been tending away from the narrowness and the 
intolerant aristocracy of Spain to the broad democracy of the North American, 
he generally approved of his young daughter's choice. 



CHAPTER VII. 

TWO GENERATIONS OF SLUMBER. 

From 1775 to 1835 the Pacific rim of this hemisphere slipped through 
sixty years — two generations — of peace. Europe passed from war to Avar, 
and the Atlantic seaboard trembled in the reverberation of hostile guns. 
California was too young and too far away and too little known, and her 
people between her mountains and her sea, left alone, eddied out of the 
great world's current. Their activities were the activities of children — a 
racial inheritance — and they were careless and free. They were fond of the 
fandangos, always ready for a dance, and made the most of their religious 
holidays with bull-fights and bear-baitings. Many of them were ex-soldiers, 
dead to the art of war and alive to the excitement of the cattle ranchos. 
Except in occasional official salutes, the old cannon on the presidio walls 
were silent and rusted from lack of use. The ex-mission Indians hanging 
around on the ranchos could be hired or cajoled into doing the little labor 
of the establishments, and this left the people in general idleness. The only 
dissipation they had, however, was gambling, and this was almost universal 
with both sexes and classes. Monte was the favorite card game, but any- 
thing that had in it the element of chance would be bet on. They accepted 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 35 

their good fortune without any lively demonstrations of joy, and their losses 
with their characteristic childishness of mind, evidently caring only for the 
gaming and not for the winning. On Sunday afternoons, devotions being 
ended, some gay festivity was in order. With the broad, rich plains crowded 
with cattle more or less wild, the fleet horse was necessary, consequently 
there were few such riders in the world. However, that was before the day 
of that human centaur, the American cowboy. Wild horses, though every 
one had his claimant, scoured the leagues of fenceless lands, and those that 
were accounted tame would seem to any other people unbroken. Connection 
between points was generally by horse or pack mules, and the road was 
over the "pony-trail." When a don set out on a long journey, frequently he 
took a servant and a drove of horses with him, and as one horse wearied 
under the saddle another was made to bear the burden. In this way a rider 
could daily put long distances behind him. Often the weary or worn-out 
animals were turned loose to find their home-rancho at leisure, the brand or 
mark of the owner on the flank generally preventing the loss of the horse, 
if he was of sufficient value in that land of almost countless bands, to be 
stolen. 

A Ride Not Told in History. 

One of the most wonderful rides in history — though it has not been 
told in verse or set to music — was made between September 24 and 28, 1858, 
from Los Angeles to Yerba Buena by an American named John Brown. He 
was known among the Californians as Juan Flaco (Lean John) and was 
sent by. Lieutenant A. H. Gillispie, U. S. A., who was hard pressed by the 
hostile California forces, to Commodore Stockton for reinforcements. Brown 
made Monterey, four hundred and sixty miles, in fifty-two hours without 
sleep. He expected to find the fleet there, but Stockton had sailed, and after 
sleeping three hours the sturdy rider completed the remaining one hundred 
and forty miles of his great Marathon in the same speed and delivered his 
call for help. It was not "a broad highway," like Sherman's, nor was the 
road as smooth as that of the "Ride of Paul Revere," but was a mere bridle- 
path over high mountains, through deep ravines, around precipitous cliffs, 
across wide chaparral-covered mesas, along the sea-beach, always dodging 
the enemy, harassed and pursued, riding shoulder to shoulder with death 
night and day, losing several horses, one shot from under him, forcing him 
to go thirty miles afoot, carrying his spurs and riata, until he could com- 
mandeer another mount, Juan Flaco rode on and on, showing that a California 
man on a California mustang has outridden the storied riders of the world. 

The Vaqueros of Alta California. 

The boy at an early age was taught to ride at a breakneck pace and to 
throw the riata with unerring skill. The Spanish saddle was an elaborate 
piece of workmanship, the frame, or "tree," they called it, being fastened 
to the animal with a girth or "cinch" made of closely woven hair of his own 
tail. It was taking an unfair advantage of poor "caballo," but the hair cinch 
was stronger than any other, and would not slip on his smooth coat. Over 
the sometimes roughly-made tree was fitted a wide leather cover called 
"macheres," and on the stirrups to protect the rider's feet while rounding up 
a runaway steer through the thick undergrowth and chaparral were leather 
shields — "tapaderos" — and leather leggins were for the same purpose. The 
bridle and "hacamore," or halter, were always a costly, besilvered affair of 
braided rawhide, richly ornamental reins, but the peculiar shape of the bit 
made it an instrument of torture. To the half or quarter broken mustang 
this bit extending far within the animal's mouth compelled obedience on 
the slightest pull on the reins — in fact, the horse soon learned to take his 



36 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



cue from the weight of these reins on his neck. Secured with buckskin 
thongs on the wide saddle-cover, the rider carried his blankets and food, and 
when night overtook him he made his camp in comfort, while his horse, 
picketed with the lariat, fed in luxury. And always a part of this picturesque 
rider's makeup was a pair of big spurs, general^ silver, the size and metal 
designating the owner's social or equestrian standing. Mount one of these 
skillful vaqueros on a spirited thoroughbred, saddle and bridle polished and 
ornamented, and riata hanging in graceful festoon from the horn, silk sash 
around the rider's waist and silk serapa flowing from his shoulders, silver- 
braided sombrero on his head, and then set the little bell-tongues on his 
spurs tinkling musically to the pace of his caballo, and time never produced 
a more artistic and perfect centaur. It was at the fiesta or fandango that 
troops of these caballeros would appear and take part in race or game, prin- 
cipally for the admiration of the sprightly sehorita out for a California 
holiday. The rodeo, or annual roundup of the stock, was the gala time 
for the vaquero, when the corraling, the roping and the branding of the herds 
made the rancho throb with excitement. Then the fandangos, where the 
guitars tinkled in the fantastic dances of Old Spain, and the satined dandy 
descendant of Aragon bowed and "looked love" to the western heiress of 
Castile. 

The Indian on His Eminent Domain. 

The Spanish pioneer found these slopes and valleys well peopled with 
a race of sturdy Indians, the mildness of the climate and the supply of game 
food in stream and forest making the country even for the aborigine an ideal 
place of abode. Possibly the idealic characteristics of this coast existing here 
generation after generation took from the original Californian much of the 
spirit, independence and fighting attributes of his fellow redmen of the 
east and north. It was early patent to the Franciscan padres that the Pacific 
coast natives would not make loyal and valuable citizens of Spain, and per- 
haps this is the reason the priestly trainers stopped trying, permitting the 
pupil to become a mere servant, and to be useful while the missions had beef 
and bread to feed their horde of retainers. Certainly they were, before and 
after the missions had them, a very un-savage race of savages, except when 
driven by the injustice of the whites to acts of retaliation. Then their sense- 
less work brought its own punishment, which hurried the grossly inferior 
beings along to extinction. Back within the wilds the native's daily bill of 
fare was any game,, flesh or fish that fell victim to their bows and arrows, 
nets or other kinds of ingenious snares. Bear meat was considered a delicacy 
on Lo's table, or, rather, in front of his campfire, but the strong California 
grizzly had other uses for himself. Ursus Major was the king of beasts 
in these woods of the west, and generally did the eating when the Indian 
and his crude weapons made the attack, but about every other creature 
that roamed the hills and plains graced the rancheria menu. 

When feet and fins were too fleet for hunters and fishers and the vegeta- 
tion store was exhausted, edible roots and grasshoppers filled out the 
depleted bill of fare — and the hungry Indian. A great circle of hombres, 
mahalas and pappooses armed with bushes and slowly drawing to the center 
where a hole had been dug surely drove the insect jumpers to destruction. 
These were considered a luxury when other supplies ran low. The grand 
oak of California shed manna for her forest tribes. In season the acorns 
were gathered and cached for safety in the mother-tree, and when required 
were hulled. These kernels were ground or mashed in the rude stone 
mortars that may be found on the sites of long passed away rancherias. 
With water heated by hot stones in the quaint and tightly-woven fiber 
baskets which only an Indian can weave, the meal was formed into a 
batter or dough and cooked in a mass or baked in loaves. This "daily 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 37 

bread" of the wilds, seasoned with ashes and different kinds of dirt, was not 
rich in nutriment nor exquisite in flavor, but served with a plain salad of 
green clover and a relish of pinenuts, or served alone and in limited quantity, 
was to the quiet family meal or howling tribal feast what the rustic writer 
calls "a sumptuous repast." Bone or flint spear and arrowheads were used 
in hunting, also in fishing, when the finny game could not be herded into 
nets or traps ; and chips of obsidian, a volcanic glass, made passable knives 
before the Spaniards came with weapons of steel. It is not known how many 
tribes occupied this portion of the state, but creeks and mountain ranges 
seem to mark the boundaries of the different bands, and when one entered 
upon the territory of another without some kind of treaty of permission 
there was generally a bloody settlement. There were occasional fights 
between the tribes or rancherias, and sometimes severe ones, when a whole 
band would practically be wiped out in a dispute over some trivial or childish 
matter. 

Vallejo Was Kind to His Red Charges. 

Much of the time, however, of this historical period the Indians in the 
great valley between the Rio Sacramento and the coast were at peace, not 
because of a naturally gentle disposition, but because of the efforts of one 
strong white man, General Vallejo, Comandante at Sonoma, whose 
wise policy, wiser than ever before attempted in California, handled the 
natives with a fairness that made even the distant tribes his friends. Of 
the turbulence of the southern Indians, Mr. Bancroft says : "Turning to the 
northern frontier, we find a different state of things. Here there are no 
semblance of Apache raids, no sacking of ranches, no loss of civilized life, 
and little collision between Gentile and Christian natives. The northern 
Indians were more numerous than in the San Diego region, and many 
of the tribes were brave, warlike and often hostile ; but there was a com- 
paratively strong force at Sonoma to keep them in check, and General 
Vallejo's Indian policy must be regarded as excellent and effective when 
compared with any other policy ever followed in California. True, his 
wealth, his untrammelled power and other circumstances contributed much 
to his success; and he could by no means have done as well if placed in 
command at San Diego; yet he must be accredited besides with having 
managed wisely. Closely allied with Solano, the Suisun chieftain, having— 
except when asked to render some distasteful military service to his political 
associates in the south — at his command a goodly number of soldiers and 
citizens, he made treaties with the Gentile tribes, insisted on their being 
liberally and justly treated when at peace, and punished them severely for 
any manifestation of hostility. Doubtless the Indians were wronged often 
enough in individual cases by Vallejo's subordinates, some of whom were 
with difficulty controlled ; but such reports have been greatly exaggerated, 
and acts of glaring injustice were comparatively rare." 



38 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER VIII. 

OUT ON THE GREAT RANCHOS. 

The "adobe" farmhouse, as was usual on those big ranchos, was the 
castle of the owner, where his retainers of vaqueros and Indians "herded," 
and where the don often ruled and entertained in the manner of the feudal 
overlord. The house was generally provided with a large porch, or a patio 
or inner court, the lounging place of the establishment, and here these early- 
rough riders, when not mounted and out on the range rounding up a band 
of half-wild cattle, passed the time smoking, playing the guitar, repairing a 
riata or plaiting a horsehair rope, with their vicious looking mustangs saddled 
and bridled patiently standing near. A call to dinner would hurry all hands 
to a long table, where great platters of chile-con-carne, frijoles (the universal 
beans) and tortillas (as the white flour cakes baked by an open fire are 
known in Mexic lands) were eaten with full-grown appetite. Then came 
the inevitable cigarette and the siesta in some shade, while the tough little 
horses standing with shut eyes by the porch, apparently do the same. When 
the sun gets well to the west the sleeping vaquero lazily rolls over and to 
his feet stumbles out to his horse, coils his riata on the horn of his saddle, 
sees that the cinch is still holding the clumsy wooden affair to the animal, 
who, by the Avay, is accustomed to that and other modes of torture. By this 
time the whole gang is making a like effort to get awake and in action. A 
Mexican vaquero has been said to be when afoot a lifeless thing, but when 
in the saddle one of the most animated. When the band gets mounted the 
riders start the big spurs to work, swing the riatas around their heads and 
gallop yelling down the arroyo and out on the range, often for no other 
object than to get into motion and shake off the drowsiness of the siesta. 
In that part of the hacienda devoted to the family of the padron or master 
there was more luxury, more furniture and more gentility. The grace and 
chivalry of Old Spain possessed by her grandees in the home land were also 
possessed by their descendants wandering in the distant west, and this racial 
characteristic was manifested in the hospitality of the California homes. 

Among the "Hoofs and Horns." 

"Cattle on a thousand hills," the favorite phrase of the wide, open west, 
was coined in California, where the great Spanish ranchos were crowded 
with livestock. In the mild climate of this "southland," with its broad sweeps 
of grassy plain, the bands quickly bred into countless numbers. Too 
numerous and valueless for branding, they roved the unfenced ranges 
virtually free, obeying no call except that of their native wilds. And they 
obeyed that call, as the herds of ownerless hoofs wandering over this portion 
of the continent bear testimony. A steer had some table-value — low because 
of his quantity — but he was more frequently slaughtered for the insignificant 
price his hide, horns and tallow would bring in the open market; and his 
carcass remaining where the rifle-bullet met him. After a mustang had been 
cut out from among his wild companions, roped and "broke," he was worth 
only- the short season he could stand under the torture of a Spanish rider 
and a Spanish saddle. After this trial he was fit only for the coyotes, who 
vied with the "Digger" in their love for a horse-diet. If the equine of early 
California was a colt of the noble Arabian breed that had been stabled in 
the pavilion tent of a Saladin, this poor bronco never knew it. The swarthy 
vaquero, spurring his flanks to ribbons and riding the life out of his un- 
shapely body, cared not a centavo for the horse whose sire may have borne 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 39 

a king- through the courts of the Alhambra. The re-stocking of the ranchos 
was the first labor ,of the final settler, and that decade saw American 
horses, lithe and powerful, American cattle, short-horned and sleek-coated, a 
part of the equipment of the California farms. The heavy ox at last got 
his neck out of the yoke, and the sturdy horse from Normandy did the 
work much better. The burro — slave of all ages — was freed from the cart 
when the slim thoroughbred with a pedigree of speed took his place. The 
mild queen of the dairy from over the seas — from Holstein, and Durham, 
and Jersey- — came to create and run a local milk route. The Spanish cow 
had never been asked to make this contribution to the productive wealth of 
the state, and the word "butter" had melted from the language. Her tigress 
disposition, especially with her calf in the vicinity, generally made any attempt 
to milk her so near-suicidal, that Pedro or Jose, instead, milked the goat. 
Robbing Nanny's kid was easier and safer. Alta California was full-ripe for 
a change when the gringo came. 

Little Social Revolutions. 

California — preparing for the gringo — ran along for years without any 
practical help or advice from Spain or Mexico, the state having her own 
revolutionary recreations quite independent of mother-kingdom or mother- 
republic. This meant to the Spanish portion of North America, quivering 
under almost constant warfare, a condition that could hardly have been 
worse. Pablo Vicente de Sola, the last Spanish Governor of California, was 
a good man and tried to do something for the advancement of his state, but 
his efforts were in vain. When during the latter part of the year 1821, Colonel 
Agustin Iturbide, in Mexico, led his soldiers in a successful revolt against 
Spain and declared himself emperor of that country, Sola sadly lowered 
the Spanish flag in the plaza at Monterey. The next year another revolution 
shot the new emperor and scattered his infant empire to the winds. The 
tricolor of the Mexican republic arose in the plaza at Monterey, and so in the 
short space of a few months Alta California, with her governor, passed 
through three forms of government. Sola, worn and weary of the turmoil, 
hurried out of the country, and Antonio Arguello, a native son, became 
governor by virtue of his office of president of the provincial diputacion. 
The padres were bitterly disappointed in the change. They were most all 
natives of Spain, and moreover strongly opposed to republican ideas. The 
mother-country had established their missions, and had made them wealthy 
and powerful in the territory. Submitting to the republic, at heart they 
were loyal to the king, and this hastened the complete disestablishment of 
their institutions. In 1813 the Spanish Cortes decreed for the reduction of the 
missions into the civil governments of the pueblos, and the Mexican Congress 
in 1833 passed an act of secularization very similar to the decree of twenty 
years before. 

The End of the Missions Inevitable. 

Much sentiment has been expended over this disposal of "the padre's 
property," but there is nothing in the records to show that either Cortes or 
Congress decreed illegally or that the missions were ever intended to be 
permanent realty-holding institutions. The conversion of the Indians — the 
sole object of the missions — was a failure, and the massing of great tracts of 
the territory into mission ranchos having the area of old-world principalities 
was a barrier to immigration and a check to the progress of the country; 
the old conflict between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities was enliv- 
ened by the padre's open adherence to monarchial Spain, and secularization 
under all these conditions was the logical outcome. About the time the 
commissioners were appointed by the government to take charge of the 
work of subdividing the property among the neophytes, the mission man- 



40 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

agers sought to dispose of their cattle, they knowing well how many of those 
great herds would be "lost in the shuffle" when the officials got at them. 
The stock was slaughtered by droves, the hides and tallow taken and the 
carcasses left on the range for the coyotes. The indiscriminate butchery 
turned the ranchos into red, reeking shambles. 

Officials Who Did Not Toil Nor Spin. 

Of course, with all this wholesale killing, there was much left for the 
rapacious official — they had them in those days, the forerunners of the 
"grafters" of more modern times. The fathers, objecting to see results of 
years of sacrifice and wearing labor pass into the hands of those who had 
toiled not, were not wholly unreasonable. But in many instances the lands 
and livestock were fairly partitioned to the mission Indians, and at least 
some effort made in their behalf. However, the effort in that direction ended 
without practical result. The missions, reduced to mere parishes, left the 
fathers without means or authority, and the neophytes free from the control 
of their spiritual superiors. They drifted away and their property — other 
than that only on paper — faded from view like a mirage. But no improve- 
ment was possible with them, and even the simolified theology taught them 
missed its mark. To these wild creatures the restriction of mission-life was 
fatal, and depopulation threatened. Immigration, which could not be 
checked, was demanding the lands which the missionaries held without title, 
and secularization hurried the end. The twenty-one missions whose adobe 
ruins lie along this coast are the melancholy evidence of an endeavor whose 
failure was inevitable. 



CHAPTER IX. 

IN THE "ROARING FORTIES." 

Time in California went faster when the years got well into the forties. 
The long siesta was over, "el maiiana" became less a rule of conduct, and 
events began to follow one another closer across the "estado." Monterey 
seemed to be the logical capital city of the state, though Los Angeles occa- 
sionally caught a governor — or at least a near-governor — whenever a rival 
made the southern municipality his headquarters. Juan B. Alvarado was 
the governor, October 19, 1842, when Commodore Jones raised the American 
flag at Monterey, but a newly-appointed rival was coming from Mexico. 
He preferred to surrender to Jones rather than to Micheltorena, his successor, 
and this he did. But next day the commodore hauled the colors down, 
apologizing for his "mistake," and this left the two gubernatorial aspirants 
to settle the office question alone. During the following four years there 
was more or less "war" with more or less governors, and other political 
changes. Americans, individually and in bands, took part on all sides, being 
lured there by rich promises of land grants; and they were the "fighters" 
of those "fights." However, it is not known that any gringos were killed 
in those fierce conflicts. During the spring of 1846 Pio Pico was governor, 
with headquarters in the south, and Jose Castro was the general of the state 
milLary, with his post at Monterey. 

John Charles Fremont, the Pathfinder. 

They were busy plotting against each other, with the custom-house the 
bone of contention, when something occurred to jar their attention to another 
direction. It was a party of American mountaineers riding over the moun- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 41 

tains from the eastward, led by a young surveyor, who has made more history 
in the far west of this continent than all the other men in it. He was John 
Charles Fremont, brevet-captain in the United States Topographical En- 
gineers, known as the "Pathfinder," and then on his third exploring trip to 
the Pacific. In a short time he was met and "instructed" by Lieutenant 
Gillispie, a marine officer, who had been sent from Washington for that 
purpose. The orders, or instructions, brought to Fremont have never been 
made known, and only can be surmised by his after action. Following a long 
interview with Gillispie, he turned back from his surveying work in the 
northern portion of the state and made his headquarters at Sutter's Fort. 
Castro, stirred up by the presence in the country of Fremont and his armed 
party, was fulminating unusually strong against all "foreigners," especially 
against Americans. The general's threats to drive them out of the territory 
aroused the gringos to defense, and Fremont directed them to capture 
Sonoma. He had no authority over these settlers, but under instructions 
from Washington he was playing a game under cover. Commodore Sloat 
with his fleet was on the coast to take possession of California the hour 
Mexico declared war against the United States, and it was believed that the 
British fleet was here for the same purpose. The California officials were 
nibbling at English or French "protectorate" bait, with annexation a possi- 
bility, and the situation had grown extremely delicate. While the United 
States government was fully determined to acquire this territory, it. could 
not well do so during peace with Mexico ; and no other power should be 
permitted to get a foothold here. Heiice, an American armed forces — even 
if unauthorized and filibuster — holding some important point and acting as 
a deterrent to other forces, was the object sought when the administration 
secretly sent Gillispie by way of Vera Cruz, Mazatlan and Monterey to find 
Fremont. 

' Picked to Find a New Way. 

So this topographical engineer, who had made a record exploring and 
mapping trails through the wild west, was picked for the task. That Senator 
Benton of Missouri, Fremont's father-in-law, one of the most prominent 
statesmen of the time, was deeply interested in the California question, 
doubtless influenced the selection. Albeit the object was attained when 
the Bear Flag party rode out of Sutter's Fort and across what is now Yolo, 
Solano and Napa counties, and early on the morning of June 14, 1846, took 
possession of Pueblo Sonoma. Comandante Vallejo made no resistance to 
the armed invasion of his post and home. In fact, he invited the armed 
invaders in to breakfast ; and it must be historically noted that they drank 
well that morning of the general's good mission brandy. There was no 
garrison at Sonoma, and the formal surrender of the old cannon, muskets 
and other property of the Mexican government was soon made. General 
Vallejo, also his brother Salvador, and another officer were transferred as 
prisoners of war to Fort Sutter. By Fremont's advice they did not use the 
United States ensign, but raised in the place of the Mexican colors they had 
lowered a white square of cotton cloth, on which were rudely painted a 
bear, a star, and the words "California Republic." William B. Ide was chosen 
captain, or governor, and Sonoma quietly settled down to be an American 
town. There was not the slightest disturbance, and the citizens and their 
property were protected. The names of this band of history-makers — of 
state-builders — are : Ezekiel Merritt, Dr. Robert Semple, William Fallon, 
W. B. Ide, H. L. Ford, G. P. Swift, Samuel Neal, William Potter, Samuel 
Gibson, W. M. Scott, James Gibbs, H. Sanders, P. Storm, Samuel and 
Benjamin Kelsey, John Grigsby, David Hudson, Ira Stebbins, William 
Hargrave, Harrison Pierce, William Porterfield, Patrick McChristian, James 



42 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Beeson. Elias Barrett, C. Griffith, William C. Todd, Nathan Combs, Lucien 
Maxwell, Franklin Bidwell, Thomas Cowie, W. B. Elliott, Benjamin Dewell, 
John Sears and George Fowler. 

Setting a Pace for Sloat. 

Commodore Sloat in the United States frigate Savannah had sailed into 
the harbor of Monterey, July 2, having beaten the British frigate Colling- 
wood in a race up the Mexican coast. He was under orders to take possession 
of the territory when he was convinced war was on between the two republics, 
or if he believed conditions justified such an action. But he must exercise 
care, and not make the Jones error of four years before, when the flag went 
up to be lowered next day with apologies. On arrival he heard of the efforts 
being made to place this state under British protection, of the Bear Flag party 
at Sonoma, and Fremont with his "California Battalion" industriously chasing 
Castro and his soldiers out of the country. It was certainly a time for action, 
but the commodore hesitated, waiting for more definite information. As a 
matter of fact, war had been declared, and orders dated May 15, 1846, directing 
him to take Mazatlan, Monterey and San Francisco were then following 
him from port to port. Finally, convinced that Fremont was working under 
definite instructions — also pushed to action by his own officers, who saw the 
danger of delay — Sloat moved. July 7 he hoisted the flag over the custom- 
house in Monterey; July 8 Captain John Montgomery of the Portsmouth 
raised the ensign at Yerba Buena, and two days after Lieutenant J. W. Revere 
of that vessel lifted the Stars and Stripes at Sonoma. 

Getting Ahead of John Bull. 

Although Commodore Sloat took possession a few days before the slow- 
sailing Collingwood arrived, thereby forestalling any such move on the part 
of Great Britain, he was soon relieved of his command because of his timidity. 
This was not a period for hesitancy on the part of a government subordinate, 
whatever the policy of the government. Great Britain, Mexico and the United 
States, each from her corner, was watching the territorial prize in the center 
of the triangle. An English fleet was Avatching the coast, and the northern 
boundary matter was looming into prominence. We demanded nine degrees 
more of latitude than John Bull was disposed to concede, and "Fifty-four-forty 
or fight" was a party watchword until both countries at issue agreed to run 
the line along the forty-ninth parallel. The North and South were "debating" 
with increasing truculence the slavery question, the latter advocating the 
acquisition of territory for the negro-working plantations, and the former 
opposing with the cry of "plotting to rob Mexico." Time has shown the 
wisdom of the policy that set the southern boundary lines of this republic 
where they are today. No mistake was made when Fremont was secretly 
instructed to be operating a force of armed American settlers over California 
when the United States fleet arrived at Monterey to take possession. Only 
Sloat's hesitation imperiled the plan, as the British lion ashore would have 
been more difficult to evict than was the Mexican eagle. We "encouraged" 
Mexico to fight us, which policy has provided a theme for our moralistic critics 
who are only party-politicians in thin disguise ; but it was a good fight for 
both republics. It gave Mexico all the territory she could handle ; it rounded 
the United States out from ocean to ocean, making that country propor- 
tionately the central, the predominating, the most fa\ r orable patch of soil in 
the western hemisphere ; and moreover, it kept Europe with her automaton 
kings out of most of North America. 

Protestants of All Ages. 

All ages, all governments, have had protesting statesmen, and this age- 
so free of speech — has an unusually large delegation orbing around the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 43 

national capital. The beauty and the inconsistency of this can be seen in the 
reception of the two states that came to the northern republic during that 
decade — Texas, not menaced by a foreign power, and barely justified in her 
action, won complete independence from Mexico, and then almost immediately 
offered herself to the Union. She was admitted, a slave state, by a whig 
administration whose central creed was anti-slavery. California, a ripe plum 
falling to a British squadron, her long length of ocean-shore to become a line 
of fortifications whose guns would train eastward toward the American 
frontier, her then miserable system of government promising to be a constant 
thorn in the side of her American neighbor over the wall of the Sierras, 
was encouraged to separation from the southern republic by a democratic 
administration in the face of a strong protest from these same whigs. The 
protesting statesmen, after the war, proposed that California be sold back to 
Mexico for $12,000,000, and if agreeable to the other party, the United States 
to retain San Francisco, shore and bay, allowing Mexico $3,000,000 on account. 
As this government by the treaty had assumed a Mexican debt of $15,000,000, 
due American citizens, these diplomats of finance considered they were pro- 
posing a highly profitable real estate deal. The next day — virtually — 
Marshall, digging a sawmill race in Coloma creek, shoveled California up 
to a golden figure nearer twelve hundred millions, and to a moral figure that 
has never been estimated. 



CHAPTER X. 



THE "WAR" IN CALIFORNIA. 

Sloat, soon afterwards relieved by Commodore Stockton, sailed for home, 
nursing his grievance that he had been overlooked by the administration and 
forced to take his cue from a couple of younger officers. Fremont and Gillispie 
got along better with Stockton, who had no private troubles nor professional 
jealousies to worry him. They were transferred to his command for shore- 
duty, and by him commissioned, respectively, major and captain. The subse- 
quent "war" in California was not a sanguinary one, nor were Stockton, 
Fremont, Gillispie and other American officers disposed to handle the "mild- 
mannered" Calif ornians with severity. From Monterey to San Diego, the 
Pathfinder as civil governor, co-operating with his superior, the commodore, 
was getting along very well. Scott and Taylor, in Mexico, were doing the 
work, and all that was required in California was just "police" the territory 
till the gringo soldiers were camping in the city of Montezuma. Whatever 
"war" was in this state, was "over" when Sloat got busy with the flag at 
Monterey. 

Kearny's Dramatic Appearance. 

There did not seem to be much to do when Brigadier-General Stephen 
W. Kearny, the latter part of 1846, arrived in California from New Mexico. 
He was burdened with folios of "discretionary orders," among which was one 
instructing him not to interfere then with the naval and other forces in con- 
trol of the seaports, but proceed to the organization of a civil government. 
But the secretary of war, from his long-distance view of the situation, was in 
error, as he assumed that only a narrow strip of coast was held by Stockton 
and his forces. The commodore was under the impression that, by orders 
from the department, he had done some pretty effective campaigning himself, 
and the country had about all the civil government it needed ; moreover, he 
failed to agree with Kearny regarding the reading of that officer's orders, 
and declined to recognize the commanding-rank and duty the general assumed. 



44 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Unfortunately for Kearny, he met with a heavy "set-back" before he inter- 
viewed Stockton. At San Pasqual, a point just within the California line, he 
met a superior force of the enemy, and with childish recklessness invited 
inevitable disaster by his attack. If it were to gloriously herald his entrance 
into a new field of activity, he made a flat failure of it,' for the well-mounted 
Californians rode through his travel-worn, half-starved company, lancing 
at will. Among the wounded was Kearny, also Gillispie, who had recently 
joined the force to guide it into the state, and a considerable number of men 
were killed. The timely arrival of Stockton's force saved Kearny from 
capture and further disaster, and this battle — the only real battle of the war 
in the territory — the Americans will remember, because there they were 
signally whipped. Kearny, therefore, was not in a position to plunge into 
another fight — another San Pasqual — and with the doughty navy-man over 
a question of seniority of rank. So he waived that point till Stockton should 
be transferred from the Pacific, and turned his attention to Fremont, who was 
his subordinate. This threw the Pathfinder between his two warring superiors, 
forcing tipon him the choice of two conflicting sets of orders. 

Kearny's Inglorious Career. 

Kearny bided his time until Stockton's transfer, then proceeded to "fix" 
Fremont. Charges of disobedience of orders were prepared for the coming 
courtmartial, and previous to the departure of the accused and accuser for 
the trial at Fortress Monroe, Kearny and his subordinate officers wrangled 
and jangled like spoiled children over questions of rank. In fact, about the 
only thing they were united on was the degradation of Fremont. The 
American Army Conquest of California is about as inglorious as that of 
the various administrations of the Mexican officials. Fremont was found 
guilty of disobedience and sentenced to forfeit his commission. Tuthill, the 
historian, says : "On this trial Fremont behaved with spirit, and pleaded 
his cause with an eloquence that made the people of the States reverse the 
decision so soon as they read the proceedings. The court recommended him 
to the clemency of the president, on the grounds of his past services and the 
peculiar position in which he was placed when the alleged disobedience took 
place." Mr. Polk quickly discharged him from arrest — virtually ignoring the 
decision — and ordered him to report to his regiment for duty. But Fremont, 
smarting from the injustice of the charge and the farce of the trial refused 
to accept the clemency, though it was equivalent to acquittal, and retired from 
the army. But a man like Fremont could not remain in private life, and he 
was soon back in the saddle, again a pathfinder on the plains, popular candi- 
date for the presidency, state senator in California, major-general in the 
Civil war and governor of Arizona. 

How They All Loved Fremont. 

It is wonderful how little approval Fremont got from his brother-officers. 
When Montgomery in the Portsmouth first heard from Sonoma, he dis- 
avowed Fremont, though he afterwards loaned the "filibusters" some pow- 
der. Sloat followed Fremont's lead, and at the same time disavowing his 
leader. Then Stockton took his place and in the intervals between some tough 
skirmishes with the Californians in the southern portion of the state, did 
his share of the disavowing. Kearny marched into California late, but early 
enough to disavow Fremont's action. Shubrick, another commodore, had his 
ship on the coast long enough to lend a hand in the disavowing. Colonel 
R. B. Mason came last and disavowed, but as he was inspector of troops, 
possibly this was along the line of his duty. And they all did more or less 
disavowing of one another. At one time during this conflict California had 
two military governors, and as they were antagonistic to each other, the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 45 

territory appeared to be back in its normal miserable condition under Mexican 
rule. Colonel Phillip Cooke, one of the latest arrivals, amusingly describes 
that prevailing condition : "General Kearny is supreme somewhere up the 
coast. Colonel Fremont is supreme at Pueblo de Los Angeles. Commodore, 
Stockton is supreme at San Diego. Commodore Shubrick the same at Mon- 
terey; and I at San Luis Rey; and we are all supremely poor, the United 
States government having no money and no credit, and we hold the territory 
because Mexico is the poorest of all." 

The Pathfinder's Complete Vindication. 

The writer gives this space and notice to a single individual because no 
history of the American West can be written without his name. Between 
the Missouri and the Pacific, from the Colorado to the Columbia, over peak 
and mesa, over vale and desert, stretch away the trails he found and mapped 
for the march of empire toward the sundown sea ; and along these trails 
passed the pioneers who Americanized Alta California. The title "Path- 
finder" came to John Charles Fremont, and could fit no other, and his lasting 
fame seems all the brighter because of the attempts to tarnish the laurels he 
won. The army men who saw service in California after Sloat finally got 
the flag up had nothing to do. Kit Carson with a company of his long-rifle 
hunters could have successfully policed the entire territory until peace was 
declared, consequently the newcomers had leisure to criticise and occa- 
sionally undo the work of the earlier arrivals. And the crown t>f their criticism 
and undoing was the farcical courtmartial for the Pathfinder. When Fremont 
was in full military authority, he naturally was officially and personally 
responsible for public supplies purchased, also for the arrears — pay of his 
volunteers ; and when he was suddenly superseded, his antagonistic successors 
used these unsettled obligations to further embarrass him. And the crown- 
ing wrong of all — when he was led eastward over the continent for trial — he 
traveled back along - one of the paths he had found and mapped for his west- 
ward-marching countrymen. 



CHAPTER XL 

STORY OF THE "BEAR FLAG." 

In the history of any county of this state should be the story of the Bear 
Flag, the rude standard of the "California Republic." Bancroft and other 
eminent historians of the Pacific coast have not stamped the "commonwealth" 
of '46 with their full approval nor its flag with importance. However, that 
ensign, passing from the Sonoma plaza, did not pass from further history. 
Its adoption by the California Republic June 14, 1846, makes its anniversary 
identical with that of the ensign that supplanted it, as June 14, 1777, Congress 
adopted the thirteen stars and the thirteen stripes as the national flag. Its 
adoption by the Native Sons, June 8, 1880, makes it the standard of their 
order, and its adoption by the legislature, March 3, 1911, makes it the state 
flag. Its lone star was the star of Texas, and is now the star of California on 
the national ensign. Its bear, at the request of Major J. R. Snyder of Sonoma, 
was engraved on the great seal of the state. The Bear Flag is yet in active 
service, and not one feature on its folds is idle. Its political life was only 
twenty-five days, but during twenty-three of them it was the sole American 
flag of any description in this territory, and its presence at Sonoma was a 
deterrent to the foreign powers hesitating to move for possession. Its presence 



46 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

at Sonoma finally moved the hesitating United States naval commander at 
Monterey to send the Stars and Stripes ashore and seal California to Uncle 
Sam forever. 

The Grizzly Passant. 

In the knightly diction of heraldry, the Bear Flag is : A grizzly passant 
on field argent; star at right dexter point; legend "California Republic" in 
lower half; horizontal bar gules from base to base. As an armorial bearing the 
bear is a suitable choice. Often he has been met on his eminent domain, and 
as a true native son — representative of the wild west, he has qualified. His 
ordinarily mild manner and willingness to be let alone, also his latent prowess 
in argument when driven to the battle-point, are well knoAvn. His high 
moral and physical standing in the animal settlements of the American con- 
tinent make him socially fit for a place on anybody's flag. Though a carnivora, 
he has no objection to a huckleberry meal, but only dire famine will drive 
him to a diet of Digger Indian. And it is true that no Digger has ever eaten 
him. The single star is a reflex of the lone luminary that lighted Texas in 
the night of her deadly struggle, and the red colonial bar along the lower edge 
of the white cloth represents the California Republic's single colony. Mrs. 
Tohn Sears furnished the square of white sheeting, and Mrs. John Matthews, 
the Mexican wife of an American, contributed a flannel petticoat for the red 
stripe. Some unchivalrous historian has tried to establish the version of the 
various Bear Flag stories that one of the hunters of the party donated his only 
shirt for this purpose, but as the nameless patriot never acknowledged the 
honor and the sacrificial red shirt, the alleged incident must be left out of the 
record. Chivalry, modesty and self-denial are the cardinal characteristics 
ofen found in heroes, so possibly he was a life-sufferer from all three of these 
virtues, and died unknown, unhonored and unsung. 

The Fierce Americanos Stay to Breakfast. 

Early that morning after General Vallejo had been notified by his captors 
that he, his sword, the old brass guns on the wall, the rusty muskets in the 
Castillo, and everything else possessed by Mexico in Sonoma, were prisoners 
of war, the old don batted his eyes once or twice, said "Bueno," and invited the 
fierce Americanos to stay for breakfast. Sefiora Vallejo stirred up her Indian 
cooks, and soon the General's dining hall — that was never closed to a stranger, 
especially to an American — was thrown open, and on the tables were loads 
of chile-con-carne, frijoles, tortillas and wine from the mission grapes growing 
out by the old church of San Francisco de Solano. Needless to say, that 
banquet given by the premier Native Sons of the Golden West was a notable 
one. It has been reported that during the latter part of the feasting some 
of the invaders were swearing "Viva la Mexico," and General Vallejo was 
offered the presidency of the new republic. William Lincoln Todd, nephew 
of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, was the artist of the Bear Flag. 

Regarding the exchange of ensigns by Lieutenant J. W. Revere of the 
U. S. sloop of war Portsmouth, the following incident is told by James 
McChristian : "After the Bear Flag had been unbent from the staff-halliards 
and Revere was fastening Old Glory to the rope, Midshipman John E. Mont- 
gomery, the son of Commander John Montgomery of the Portsmouth, care- 
fully folded the square sheeting into a neat package and placed it in his coat- 
pocket, saying : 'This is worth taking care of.' The lad was at that time 
just my own age — 18 — a fine, manly fellow, and nobody objected to his action." 
The gallant middy of the old-time Yankee navy, who appreciated and cared for 
the passing Bear Flag, gave his life in the service of his country and this 
state, as he was killed in a fight with hostile Indians near Sutter's Fort soon 
after this event. McChristian, now 74 years old, one of the last of the Bear 
Flaggers, remembers clearly the stirring times in this county during the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 47 

"roaring forties." He was employed by Revere to haul two 18-pounder 
brass guns from Sonoma to the Embarcadero, where they were to be shipped 
to the Portsmouth at Yerba Buena. The officer had found them on the wall 
looking frowningly across the valley, with their muzzles full of last year's 
swallow-nests, and he intended to have them mounted at the Annapolis naval 
academy as object-lessons for the cadets. McChristian's two-yoke of oxen 
balked on the job and his claim for the work has slept in its War Department 
pigeonhole for sixty-three years. 

California's First "Fourth." 
July 4, 1846, the Bear Flag republic had a "Fourth" at home. Out in the 
plaza this small band of "republicans" read the Declaration of American Inde- 
pendence under their own ensign, not having a United States flag in the new 
commonwealth. They had an oration, barbecued one of General Vallejo's 
beeves, and the ancient battery on the wall bellowed a salute to the big and 
the little republic. It was a remarkable observance — the only one of its kind 
in history. The guns of the Mexican Republic were fired by the California 
Republic to celebrate the birth of the American Republic. It was a republican 
voice of thunder from Forty-six speaking to Seventy-six. Over the space of 
seventy years — over the space of a hemisphere — rebel called to rebel, brother- 
hood to brotherhood, one flag — one blood — after all. 



CHAPTER XII. 
MARIANO GUADALUPE VALLEJO. 

The changing of flags in the plaza at Sonoma virtually changed the citi- 
zenship of the foremost citizen of California — Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo. 
Hijo del pais — son of the soil — was he, and alike under king, emperor or presi- 
dent, he was true to the land of his birth. Though a Californian, and sharing 
with other Spanish-born natives a natural distrust of strangers, Vallejo 
possessed an admiration and sincere friendship for the Americans, and 
received them kindly, even when his superiors demanded the expulsion of the 
dangerous foreigners. Though his patriotism was never doubted, he coun- 
seled annexation to the United States when he saw that Mexico had no 
government nor protection for California. His appointment in 1835 as 
military comandante and civil commissionado of the northern district proved 
to be a selection so wise that it stands out in relief from among the official 
errors of early California history, and during his ten years of almost autocratic 
rule at Sonoma, it is seen that he governed with rare justice and practical 
common sense. Vallejo was born in Monterey, July 7, 1808, the eighth in a 
family of thirteen children, his father being Don Ignacio Vincente Vallejo, 
and the mother Maria Antonia Lugo, both members of distinguished Spanish 
families. During his youth he was a cadet in the territorial army and a 
friend and comrade of General Castro and Governor Arguello. He was an 
earnest student and early acquired a fund of knowledge that fitted him to 
take a prominent part in and to a considerable extent shape political affairs 
of the territory, especially during the critical times just prior to the American 
occupation. When California passed away from Mexico, M. G. Vallejo was 
in all probability the first Mexican citizen within her borders ; and when 
the red, white and blue of America took the place of the red, white and green 
of Mexico, he was still of the best of the California citizenry. Tall and erect, 
with a distinguished military bearing, and with grace of gesture and manner 
inherent from birth and breeding, an easy and fluent speaker in English, 
though learned late in life, charming with the strength of purpose and the 
seriousness of diction, filled with the chivalry of the past day when Spanish 



48 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

knighthood was in flower, was General Vallejo. While at Sonoma, 1840 
and 1845, large companies of American immigrants came through the country, 
and though he was constantly "nagged" by his government to drive the 
foreigners out of the country, the comandante disobeyed orders and humanely 
treated the strangers. There is no doubt that Vallejo's gentle methods in 
dealing with the savage Indians surrounding him, his rare discretion in the 
management of his military affairs and his practical statesmanship making 
for the much-needed change of flags, proved him to be a greater man, a 
man more deserving of appreciation than any other within the limits of 
the territory, and it may be said in truth, deserving of more appreciation 
than he received. Before the junta at Monterey in April, 1846, when affairs 
were approaching such a crisis that even Governor Pio Pico advocated annexa- 
tion to France or England as an escape from that "mock republic, Mexico," 
as he rather disloyally called his political mother superior, or "that perfidious 
people, the Yankees," Vallejo made the following address, which may be 
given here, as it shows the sterling makeup of the man : 



nsr 



The General's Splendid Americanism. 



"I cannot, srentlemen, coincide with the militarv and civil functionaries 
who have advocated the cession of our country to France or England. It is 
most true that to rely longer upon Mexico to govern and defend us would be 
idle and absurd. To this extent I fully agree with my colleagues. It is also 
true that we possess a noble country, every way calculated, from position and 
resources, to become great and powerful. For that very reason I would 
not have her a mere dependency on a foreign monarchy, naturally alien, or at 
least indifferent to our interests and our welfare. It is not to be denied that 
feeble nations have in former times thrown themselves upon the protection of 
their powerful neighbors. The Britons invoked the aid of the warlike Saxons 
and fell an easy prey to their protectors, who seized their lands and treated 
them like slaves. Long before that time, feeble and distracted provinces 
had appealed for aid to the all-conquering arms of imperial Rome, and they 
were at the time protected and subjugated by their grasping ally. Even 
could we tolerate the idea of dependence, ought we to go to distant Europe 
for a master? What possible sympathy could exist between us and a nation 
separated from us by two vast oceans? But waiving this insuperable objec- 
tion, how could we endure to come under the dominion of a monarchy? For 
although others speak lightly of a form of government, as a freeman I cannot 
do so. We are republicans — badly governed and badly situated as we are — 
still we are all, in sentiment, republicans. So far as we are governed at all, 
we at least do profess to be self-governed. Who, then, that possesses true 
patriotism will consent to subject himself and his children to the caprices 
of a foreign king and his official minions? But, it is asked, if we do not 
throw ourselves upon the protection of France and England, what shall we 
do? I do not come here to support the existing order of things, but I come 
prepared to propose instant and effective action to extricate our country 
from her present forlorn condition. My opinion is made up that we must 
persevere in throwing off the galling yoke of Mexico, and proclaim our inde- 
pendence of her forever. We have endured her official cormorants and her 
villainous soldiery until we can endure no longer. All will probably agree 
with me that we ought at once to rid ourselves of what may remain of 
Mexican domination. But some profess to doubt our ability to maintain 
our position. To my mind there comes no doubt. Look at Texas and see 
how long she withstood the power of united Mexico. The resources of 
Texas were not to be compared with ours, and she was much nearer to her 
enemy than we are. Our position is so remote, either by land or sea, that 
we are in no danger from Mexican invasion. Why, then, should we hesitate 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 49 

to assert our independence? We have indeed taken the first step by electing 
our own governor, but another remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly 
and distinctly — it is annexation to the United States. In contemplating this 
consummation of our destiny, I feel nothing but pleasure, and I ask you to 
share it. Discard old prejudices, discard old customs, and prepare for the 
glorious change that awaits our country. Why should we shrink from incor- 
porating ourselves with the happiest and freest nation in the world, destined 
soon to be the most wealthy and powerful? Why should we go abroad for 
protection when this great nation is our adjoining neighbor? When we 
join our fortunes to- hers, we shall not become subjects, but fellow citizens 
possessing all the rights of the people of the United States, and choosing 
our own federal and local rulers. We shall have a stable government and 
just laws. California will grow strong and flourish, and her people will be 
prosperous, happy and free. Look not, therefore, with jealousy upon the 
hardy pioneers who scale our mountains and cultivate our unoccupied plains, 
but rather welcome them as brothers, who come to share with us a common 
destiny." 

Always a Friend of the United States. 

Here stood this California patriot and in his plea for his country he 
uttered sentiments like those of Patrick Henry, so often heard around the 
world, and while the junta did not act upon the suggested annexation to 
the United States, the proposed European protectorate matter was heard no 
more. The French and English representatives perforce accepted Vallejo's 
address as the answer, and in a few months Commodore Sloat's guns were 
commanding Monterey, and virtually all California. This digression and 
advancement, out of chronological order, to a period when the internal dis- 
sension and mismanagement of the Mexican officials were ending, exhibits 
General Vallejo's part in the last act of that discordant drama. The final ten 
years of Mexico in Sonoma — and in California as well — must necessarily be 
largely of his acts as the comandante of that most important military post. 
Three times he took part in revolution against Mexico, in 1832-36-45, and 
the revolutionists won each time, but the successive governors they recognized 
always managed to get themselves in turn recognized by the Mexican gov- 
ernment, in consequence of which matters would drop back into the old rut. 
There is little wonder that Vallejo at Sonoma found his grandiloquent title of 
Military Comandante and Director of Colonization on the Northern Frontier 
burdensome, and occasionally asked to be relieved. And when the Bear 
Flag people did relieve him of further participancy in Mexican affairs, it was 
likelv to him a relief indeed. 



50 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XIII. 
CAPTAIN JOHN SUTTER. 

Another man whose name is associated with the golden pioneer period 
of the Pacific is Sutter — third in the trio of local land-markers. Vallejo, Sutter 
and Fremont were busy men here in "their day." From the "river" westward 
to the sea — from New Helvetia to Fort Ross — over the broad plains of Yolo 
and Solano, over the rich valleys of Napa and Sonoma, they "set their stakes," 
and the llanos and vegas are filled with their stories. The earlier stage-scenes 
of California were not propertied with flamboyant figures and moving-picture 
incidents. There were no army-people in the conquest and exploration of 
this upper portion of the territory, which left the work to be accomplished by 
ranchers, hunters and assisted later by miners. Fremont was a mathematical 
professor in the navy, but given the pay and rank of the lowest paid and 
ranking officer in the army when he was set surveying trails across the 
continent. Vallejo got his military titles out of the Mexican war department 
and Sutter was an "el capitaine" in his native Switzerland, or France, before 
he landed on the banks of the Sacramento. But nobleman or commoner, 
Sutter's new-world title is unclouded. His famous fortress (which, restored, 
still occupies its original site in the capital city) was a never-failing refuge 
and resting-place for the travel-worn immigrant, as Vallejo's beeves and 
acres awaited him farther west. Sutter and Vallejo were Mexican citizens — 
one native and the other naturalized — but they failed in their first duty to 
the southern republic when they failed to keep the gringos out of the territory. 
However, it is not probable that the weak territorial government could have 
influenced to any extent these two commanding officers. The earliest and 
best description of this stronghold and its sturdy riflemen has been furnished 
by Lieutenant Joseph W. Revere of the Portsmouth. This officer by a boat 
trip up the Sacramento river during the latter part of June, 1846, visited 
Sutter, and also noted the warlike preparedness of the place for the coming 
of anything not friendly. 

At the Famous Fort. 

"When we arrived at the embarcadero or landing," writes Revere, "we 
found a mounted guard, as the garrison had long been apprised by the Indians 
that our boat was ascending the river. These Indians were indeed important 
auxiliaries to the Americans during the short period of strife for the sover- 
eignty of California. Having been cruelly treated by the Spanish race, this 
helpless red people throughout the country welcomed the white strangers 
from over the Sierras. Entertaining an exalted opinion of the skill and 
prowess of the Americans, and knowing from experience that they were of 
a milder and less sanguinary character than the rancheros, they anticipated 
a complete deliverance from their burdens, and assisted the revolutionists to 
the full extent of their humble abilities. Emerging from the woods lining 
the river, we stood upon a plain of immense extent, bounded on the west 
by the heavy timber which marks the course of the Sacramento, the dim 
outline of the Nevadas appearing in the distance. We now came to some 
extensive fields of wheat in full bearing, waving gracefully in the gentle 
breeze, like the billows of the sea, and saw the white-washed walls of the 
fort, situated on a small eminence commanding the approach on all sides. 

"We were met and welcomed by Captain Sutter and the officers in com- 
mand of the garrison ; but the appearance of things indicated that our recep- 
tion would have been very different had we come on a hostile errand. The 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 51 

appearance of the fort, with its cremated walls, fortified gateway and bastioned 
angles ; the heavily-bearded, fierce-looking hunters and trappers, armed with 
rifles, bowie-knives and pistols ; their ornamented hunting-shirts and gartered 
leggins ; their long hair, turbaned with colored handkerchiefs ; their wild 
and almost savage looks and dauntless and independent bearing; the wagons 
filled with golden grain ; the arid yet fertile plain ; the caballados driven across 
it by wild, shouting Indians, enveloped in clouds of dust, and the dashing 
horsemen scouring the fields in every direction ; all these accessories conspired 
to carry me back to the romantic East, and I could almost fancy again that 
I was once more the guest of some powerful Arab chieftain in his desert 
stronghold. Everything bore the impress of vigilance and preparation for 
defense, and not without reason, for Castro, then at Pueblo de San Jose, with 
a force of several hundred men, well provided with horses and artillery, had 
threatened to march upon the valley of the Sacramento. 

A House Prepared for Friends or Foes. 

"The fort consists of a parallelogram, enclosed by adobe walls fifteen 
feet high and two thick, with bastions or towers at the angles, the walls of 
which are four feet thick, and their embrasures so arranged as to flank the 
curtain on all sides. A good house occupies the center of the interior area, 
serving for officers' quarters, armories, guard and state rooms, and also for 
a kind of citadel. There is a second wall on the inner face, the space between 
it and the outer wall being roofed and divided into workshops, quarters, etc., 
and the usual offices are provided, and also a well of good water. Corrals for 
the cattle and horses of the garrison are conveniently placed where they can 
be under the eye of the guard. Cannon frown from the various embrasures, 
and the ensemble presents the very ideal of a border fortress. It must have 
astonished the natives when this monument of the white man's skill arose 
from the plain and showed its dreadful teeth in the midst of these peaceful 
solitudes." 

Captain Sutter evidently took no chances either with the Spaniards or 
Indians, and was at all times able to take care of himself and New Helvetia — 
and all the needy people who came to him. Whenever a tale of distress 
came down the great central valley, the gallant Swiss officer was immediately 
in the saddle and away to the rescue ; as in the Donner Lake tragedy, where 
one of his rescuers perished with the snowbound immigrants. General John 
Bidwell, in his "Life in California Before the Gold Discovery," says : 
"Nearly everybody who came to California then made it a point to reach 
Sutter's Fort. Sutter was one of the most liberal and hospitable of men. 
Everybody was welcome, one man or a hundred, it was all the same." The 
citizens of Sacramento city and the order of the Native Sons did well when 
they brought about the restoration and preservation of the old New Helvetia 
at the intersection of K and Twenty-sixth streets. Although being a Mexican 
citizen, Sutter hoisted the bear over his fort as soon as he heard of the change 
of flags at Sonoma and July 11, 1846 — or as soon as he heard of the change of 
flags at Monterey and could get an ensign from the Portsmouth — he raised 
the Stars and Stripes over Sacramento. The presence of Sutter, Vallejo and 
Fremont made it a famous flag-day. Like Vallejo, like Fremont, Sutter was 
ill-rewarded by those he kindly and faithfully served. 



52 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XIV. 

THEN CAME CALIFORNIA. 

Time slipped rapidly on to February 2, 1848, when at Guadalupe Hidalgo 
the two republics signed a treaty of peace, which was ratified at Queretaro 
May 20, proclaimed to the world July 4, and became known in California 
August 6. By its terms the United States assumed payment of all American 
claims, good, bad, indifferent — mostly the two latter — against Mexico, and in 
addition paid her $15,000,000 for everything she claimed north of the Rio 
Grande. In January of that year, J. W. Marshall, employed by Sutter to build 
a sawmill at Coloma, forty miles up the American river from Sacramento, 
found gold. At first Sutter and Marshall were skeptical regarding the value 
of the find and wished to delay the publication of the secret, but an Indian 
who had worked in the gold mines of La Paz caught sight of the nuggets, and 
his loud cry of "Ora ! Ora !" was heard around the world. As the tidal-wave 
of miners swept into the Golden West, the people, weary of military governors 
and old Mexican laws, clamored for statehood. The slave-holding portion of 
Congress arranged to make darky-plantations out of this slice of Uncle Sam's 
territorial gains, but the flood of gold-hunters from the northern states helped 
disarrange the plans. Washington doing nothing, a provisional government 
convention met at Monterey September 1, 1849, and California got busy. The 
. state lines were run, slavery forever barred, a seal adopted, San Jose selected 
as the capital and Peter H. Burnett elected governor. The first legislature 
lasted from December 17 to April 22, 1850, and is known in history as the 
"Legislature of a Thousand Drinks." The name is a joke and a misnomer, as 
that body did more real, sober work than any of its legislative successors. 
John C. Fremont was elected United States Senator on the first ballot and 
William M. Gwin on the second. The Pathfinder was a free-stater, while 
Gwin was a southerner and pro-slavery advocate, and was a compromise choice, 
the legislature being strongly against slavery. So California went to house- 
keeping as a full-fledged state nine months before her admission into the 
Union — an unusual thing, but showed the native enterprise of the far west. 
In Congress the admission of California was fiercely opposed by the South, 
led by Senator Jeff Davis, but the bill passed and President Fdlmore attached 
his signature September 9, 1850. The honor of placing California in the 
Union would have come to General Zachary Taylor, ending the work he 
began in Mexico, but his death in the presidential chair had elevated Vice- 
President Fillmore to the position. 

A State That Was Not a State. 

Thus California became a state de jure — the thirty-first star in the politi- 
cal union — and for four or five years was about as poorly managed a piece of 
territory as it had been under the Mexican government. The census of 
1850 gave the state about 117,000 people, and two years later this number had 
grown to 265,000, and by the end of 1856 the estimate was over one-half 
million. The preliminary skirmishing of the great Civil war was on, and 
although the dominant politicians of the state were pro-slavery Democrats, 
their opponents, the Whigs, were morally no better, and the same rascally 
element flourished in both parties. The mines were turning out their annual 
golden millions, yet the public finances were at the lowest ebb, under the 
official incompetence and dishonesty that was the rule. But this was to be 
expected in a community peopled with the drift of the world — the human- 
float of the age — and things grew cleaner about the time the great bell of the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 53 

Vigilance Committee began to ring. Then California grew steadily and 
rapidly. There was nothing to prevent this. Her mild, healthful temperature, 
her boundless resources, her every natural prospect pleasing, could not but 
attract a home-seeking people from afar. So she progessed — by accident. 



CHAPTER XV. 

FROM SAN DIEGO TO SONOMA. 

The reader has seen three centuries pass between San Diego and 
Sonoma — the beginning of Spanish dominion in Alta California, when 
Cabrillo's flag arose, September 28, 1542, and its ending when Vallejo's ensign 
fell June 14, 1846. He has seen the missions lift themselves over field and 
flock, strong in rights temporal and spiritual, flourish a while amid their 
acres and acolytes, and then go down to slim parishes and piles of adobe 
ruins — frequently to serve as topics for emotional writers. They were not 
strenuous Saxon years full of sound and fury, these centuries that came 
northward along the Pacific littoral ; they were slumberous Spanish years, 
made up of mahanas — tomorrows— that walked-in-sleep along the leagues of 
golden poppy plains, and across the emerald oaten hills to wake into — to 
break into — the day of the gringo. - If the Spanish priest and Spanish soldier 
left little to mark their presence here, they left no record of injustice or op- 
pression in their treatment of the simple natives of the land. The mild 
servitude of the mission and the government of the territory did not materially 
interfere with the Indian's creature comforts, and if his spirituality was 
shallow, his residence within sight of the chapel admitted him to the mission 
soup-house — and the Franciscans were good cooks. In the memory of that 
pastoral period the reader may hear amid the din of the money-mad present 
the faint, sweet echoes of the angelus bells coming from the missions that 
are dead and gone. The company of American settlers from the Sacramento, 
Solano and Napa valleys that rode down into Pueblo Sonoma were the new 
overlords of this princely domain, and their flag, rudely symbolical of mastery, 
nativity and permanency, was the advance sign of the change. Heading the 
line of California governors might in courtesy be placed Ezekiel Merritt, the 
leader of that band, though his incumbency lasted only a few days. However, 
history starts with Commodore John Drake Sloat, followed by another sailor, 
Commodore Robert F. Stockton ; then by four soldiers — Colonel J. C. 
Fremont, General S. W. Kearny, Colonel R. B. Mason and General Bennet 
Riley. The organization of the civil government in the "fall of '49" ended 
the military period, although the state did not get into official business until 
the autumn of '50 — the historical September 9. 



54 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XVI. 

SOLANO— A WIND, A SAINT, AN INDIAN, A COUNTY. 

Solano — first an east wind blowing across Old Spain ; then a young 
Spanish priest toiling in his western mission; then an American Indian, 
accepting wonderingly the white man's mystic faith ; and finally a section of 
California's noble domain. Sem-Yeto's capital city, seat of government, was 
a populous rancheria in what is now Suisun valley, though the tribes of 
his dominion were scattered over the great plain from Sonoma eastward to 
the Sacramento. The chief seems to have been an amiable aborigine and 
early fell in love with the mission fare and faith. After the padre had bap- 
tized him into the bosom of the church, Vallejo suggested for the convert 
the name of the Mission, so he was christened Francisco Solano. The 
comandante found the neAv churchman quite useful and quite faithful to the 
white settlers. "Solano was a king among the Indians," writes Vallejo 
in his annals. "All the tribes of Solano, Napa and Sonoma valleys were 
under tribute to him," and through this the comandante was enabled to keep 
peace in his great territory, covering much of what is now Napa, Solano and 
Yolo. As Solano fell into the ways of the palefaces — became more civilized — 
he lost much of the saintly character received at his mission christening, and 
frequently Vallejo would have to take his red friend in hand. But a night 
in the guard-house away from the wine-cup would prepare the chief for the 
headache and repentance of the morrow. 

Valley of the Suisuns. 

The Suisuns occupied the noble valley now known by their tribal name, 
and in 1850, when twenty-seven counties of the state were put into shape, 
the name of Solano was given the twenty-first. Let the reader, on the map 
of California, in its very center, find this splendid tract. Its five hundred 
and eighty-three thousand acres front the great waterways — the San Pablo 
and Suisun bays and the Sacramento river- — and the other boundaries are 
Napa county and its hill range on the west, Yolo and the Rio de los Putos on 
the north. This Rio de los Putos is a very accommodating river, arising, 
as it does, somewhere in the Napa highlands and swinging eastward among 
the hills toward the Rio Sacramento. Its sparkling waters mark the boundary 
lines and keep the county assessors of Solano and Yolo apart. And for this 
service the name-smashers of the two counties call the pretty little stream 
Putah creek, or "crick," which seems to be a popular California mispronuncia- 
tion. On the eastern side a meridian of longitude is the line for half the dis- 
tance and the Sacramento river is on duty for the remainder. One hundred 
and forty or fifty thousand acres of the southern portion of Solano are of the 
swamp and overflow lands, and every year some of the slough and bay 
bottom is turned up into the open air and into wonderful usefulness. From 
the extreme southwestern corner of the county, out in San Pablo bay, which 
touches the overflowed southeastern corner of Sonoma, to the most eastern 
point of Solano on the Sacramento, there is an uninterrupted navigable water- 
front of about sixty-five miles. This line, in the form of a crescent, begins 
in the west and, sweeping along its tule margin, takes in the fine bay ports 
of Vallejo and Benicia; in Suisun bay it incloses an archipeligo of islands, 
reclaimed lands, the richest of the rich acres of California; and then a long 
reach of Sacramento river before it cuts the Yolo line. Along the great stretch 
of waterway are the landing places, shipping points, the inlets and outlets 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 55 

of this county's marvelous productivity. A line run north and south through 
the center of Solano from Putah creek to Chipp's island in Suisun bay would 
measure something like thirty-four miles ; and another county-center line 
from the Napa or Suscol hills running eastward to the Sacramento river 
would be about thirty-three miles long. This makes the mean measurement 
of Solano almost a square, not taking into consideration the sprit or jog — 
Vallejo township — -which extends westward sixteen miles through the tules. 
This cuts Napa from the bay-front, but it saves to Solano Vallejo, Mare island, 
an enormous sum of property valuation and approximately one-third of the 
population of the county. The western boundary line is not a line of grace 
and beauty, but it runs conveniently along the tops of the string of hills, zig- 
zagging on its freakish way northward to the headwaters of Putah creek. 
This using the everlasting hills for county "fences" is unusually common in 
California — a good idea, for it sets the limits of the sections and keeps the 
folks from drifting over into their neighbors' domains. The line may be 
ever so indelible, elusive, freakish, but the old mountain marks its locality. 
The student of this county's map, noting the peculiar topographical "lay of 
the land," will see a general restriction of the mountains to the northwestern 
corner. Napa continues her elevations into her neighbor's preserves, and 
the up-ranges of Yolo sink at the Putah to appear in Vacaville township ; or, 
to be clearer in description, they depress themselves, permitting the little 
stream gurgling down from its Lake county source to find its way eastward 
towards the Sacramento. This leaves the middle, eastern and southern por- 
tions of the county great sweeps of level, broken near the marshes by swells 
of treeless hill. These plains, beginning where the mountains abruptly cease, 
to reach away into the distant horizon, are in strong contrast to the wooded 
peaks and crags forever chained to their places in the north and west. Along 
the Suscols — or, as the Spanish called them, "Sierra de Napa" — the domes 
of elevation lift themselves sharply above the range, the heights running 
from the Elkhorn peak of one thousand feet to the Twin Sisters of sixteen 
hundred feet. Miller's peak, fifteen miles north of Fairfield, is the 1000-feet 
crest of the ridge that walls Pleasants valley from the plains ; and Blue Moun- 
tain, one of the Vaca range, towers over the fruitful vales of that region almost 
three thousand feet. These lands, high and low, peak and glen, are clothed 
in California's own wild vegetation, from the kingly oak down past the 
laurel, madrona, manzanita, the more lowly chaparral, to the humble oats 
and clover that alternately green and yellow the hills as the seasons go by. 
The upper framework of these hills is a silicious sandstone, erosion of which 
mingled with other drift from the hills comes down to the valleys, making a 
loose, warm soil, hence the early fruits and vegetables of Solano. Thus the 
old rocks up beyond the plow under the grind of time contribute of them- 
selves that which makes the lower lands so fertile. These sandstones with 
volcanic tufa and clay slate are good building material, fireproof and imperish- 
able, and are quarried for this purpose throughout the county. The hydraulic 
limestone or cement rock which is found abundantly in the hills near Fair- 
field has become one of the great industries of the state; and black basalt, in 
the western ranges, is sought for paving purposes. Among these rougher 
geological deposits is the cinnabar mined in the southern end of the Suscol 
range, and from which considerable quicksilver has been produced. Near 
Suisun is a quarry of fine white crystalline marble capable of a beautiful 
finish ; and where the deposit is tinted with oxide of iron it shows under 
polish like birdseye maple. Thus Solano's hills are as productive as her plains. 
Even the overflowed tracts that are being reclaimed and cultivated are rich 
in decayed vegetation and the sedimentary deposits from the higher lands. 
These are veritable gardens. This work of reclamation brings a twofold 
result. The great dredgers heaping up the levees that are to keep back the 



56 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

tides and floods, deepen and widen the natural sloughs, making navigable 
waterways, around and through and by the new territory. Within this mesh 
of tule estuaries are Cashe, Merritt's, Bounds, Linda, Prospect, Miner's, Elk- 
horn, Grizzly and other sloughs not yet deepened and widened to the impor- 
tance of a name. Down from the hills flow the fresh water streams — products 
of the rains and springs — bringing moisture and fertility to the lands below. 
First of these is Putah creek, a Lake county contribution to the Sacramento 
river, splashing along the northeasterly edge of Solano till it loses itself in 
the tules of the big stream. Sweeny, Ulattis and Almo creeks start in the 
Vaca hills and end in Cashe slough, and Pleasants valley creek, threading 
that valley, adds itself to Putah creek. Suisun creek from the Napa hills and 
Green Valley creek from near the Twin Peaks flow down to the bays. 

Before the orchards and vineyards appeared in the incomparable valleys 
leagues of grain fields covered the slopes and levels and their yearly harvests 
poured in golden floods toward a world's market. Before these two periods 
a wilderness mapped by nature was hill and plain. A pioneer traveler in 
this noble garden has written : "Mile upon mile, acre after acre, the wild 
oats grew in marvelous profusion, in many places to a prodigious height — 
one great, glorious green of wild waving corn — high over head of the way- 
farer on foot and shoulder-high with the equestrian. Wildflowers of every 
prismatic shade charmed the eye, while they vied with each other in the gor- 
geousness of their colors and blended into dazzling splendor. One breath 
of wind, and the wide emerald expanse rippled itself into space, while with 
a heavier breeze came a swell whose waves beat against the mountain sides, 
and. being hurled back, were lost in the far-away horizon. Shadow pursued 
snadow in a long, merry chase. The air was filled with the hum of bees, 
the chirruping of birds, an overpowering fragrance from the various plants, 
causing the smallest sounds, in the extreme solitude, to become like the roar 
of the ocean. 

"The hillsides, overrun as they were with a dense mass of almost im- 
penetrable chaparral, were hard to penetrate ; trees of a larger growth 
struggled for existence in isolated sterile spots. On the plains but a few oaks 
of any size were to be seen, a reason for this being found in the devastating 
influence of the prairie fires, which were of frequent occurrence, thus de- 
stroying the young shoots as they sprouted from the earth, as well as 
scorching and injuring the older trees. This almost boundless range was 
intersected throughout with trails whereby the traveler moved from point to 
point, progress being, as it were, in darkness on account of the height of 
the oats on either side, and rendered dangerous in the lower valleys by the 
bands of wild cattle, sprung from the stock of the first or original settlers. 
These found food and shelter on the plains during the night; at dawn of day 
they repaired to the upper grounds to chew the cud and bask in the sun- 
shine. At every yard, coyotes sprang from the feet of the voyager. . The 
hissing of snakes, the frightened rush of lizards, all tended to heighten the 
sense of danger; while the flight of quail, the nimble run of the rabbit and the 
stampede of antelope and elk, which abounded in thousands, added to the 
charm, making the wanderer feel the utter insignificance of man, the 'noblest 
work of God.' 

"Then the rivers, creeks and sloughs swarmed with fish of various kinds 
that had not, as yet, been rudely frightened by the whirl of civilization. The 
water at the Green Valley Falls, that favorite picnic-resort of today, leaped, 
as now, from crag to crag, splashing back its spray in many a sparkle. Then 
the shriek of the owl, the scream of the panther or the gruff growl of the 
grizzly was heard." 

Solano county comes out of the void somewhere in 1817, when Lieutenant 
Jose Sanchez, with a small force of troops, crossed the Straits of Carquinez 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 57 

"to explore the new country and to reduce the natives to Christianity," 
according to an old report of the affair. With characteristic Spanish prompti- 
tude, he reduced the rancherias and many of their inhabitants to ashes. That 
was about all the exploration that was done for almost a generation. Among 
the few Mexicans who early slipped into the locality were the Vaca (or 
Baca) and the Peha families. The date of their appearance is 1841. Manuel 
Vaca built his adobe dwelling in the noble valley that flowers and fruits in 
his name, and Juan Felipe Pefia settled not far away. Next year the 
Armijos occupied their grant a few miles north of the present county seat. 
These three families and Vallejo early owned all of what is now Solano, 
but now, of those big ranchos, only the memories remain. Even the names 
have dwindled. Vallejo is used to designate a city; Vaca (the gringos called 
it Barker) marks the limits of a valley; Armijo is a schoolhouse, and Pefia 
was changed to a creek, as enchanted persons in classic days were turned to 
fountains. Others of the early settlers have passed quite away, bag and 
baggage, date and name, leaving nothing for remembrance. But these im- 
provident Espafiols lived well during their short residence in Las Californias, 
and in their big adobes a rugged splendor was maintained. The ranchos were 
well stocked with horses, cattle, Indians and other forms of retainers, im- 
pedimenta. The adobe houses were not fairy structures, but were roomy 
and extremely comfortable, the thick walls making them warm in winter 
and cool in summer, and the tile roofs making them water-tight. When a 
don, with or without his family, went abroad, he went in state with gaily 
caparisoned vaqueros and servants for escort. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

EARLY SETTLERS OF SOLANO COUNTY. 

The first known American settler of Solano is John R. Wolfskill, who 
located on the Wolfskill grant on Putah creek in 1842. With his brother 
William he had first lived at Los Angeles, the two coming in 1838 from 
Kentucky and Missouri, where they had had ample opportunities to prove 
up on their sterling pioneer qualities. When John came northward from 
the southland he drove before him nine head of cattle. With his stock he 
first stopped at what is now Yountville, Napa County, and borrowing a 
fresh horse from the celebrated Napa pioneer, George Yount, he started 
eastward on a ranch-hunt. When he finally appeared on the banks of the 
Rio de los Putos, he was in the midst of a dense wilderness filled with fierce 
and dangerous animals. The first night of Wolfskill's residence on his estate 
was in a big tree with bears, panthers and other too-friendly carnivora 
prowling and howling around his bedroom or roosting-place. But John 
Wolfskill was not the kind of a man to shun the perils of the wilds, and his 
deadly rifle soon cleaned out the bands of bears and other original claim- 
ants. At this time he was the solitary American in Solano county, his 
nearest neighbors being George Yount in Napa and John Sutter at Sacra- 
mento. But with his brother Sershal he quickly cleared out the wilds and 
the noble estate on the Putah has long been the glory of that township. 

Outside of the Wolfskill ranch on Putah creek, Solano remained 
virtually a howling wilderness until 1846. Then other immigrants began to 
come in, among whom were Nathan Barbour and Landy Alford, just from 
Missouri. Alford went to Sonoma and Barbour that year enlisted in Fre- 
mont's battalion, serving with the "Pathfinder" for several months. In 1847 
the two were together again, in Sonoma, each constructing a dwelling-house 



58 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

and otherwise preparing to become permanent citizens of that pueblo. But 
a peculiar circumstance changed their plans. Dr. Robert Semple, one of 
the Bear Flag party, and United States Consul Thomas O. Larkin were 
interested in the building of Benicia. General Vallejo had donated the site 
on the north shore of the Carquinez straits, and only houses and their occu- 
pants were wanted, and Larkin was preaching an immigration to the new 
metropolis. He offered the two house-builders a site in Benicia, a bonus 
of $1,000 each if they would permit the removal of the domiciles. The offer 
was accepted and the beginning of Benicia went out of Sonoma. Probably 
the first American family in Suisun valley was that of Daniel M. Berry, who 
in 1847 located in a tent, about six miles west of Fairfield. This was near 
Rockville, where Chief Solano had lived, holding court over the red Suisuns. 
His adobe at that date was occupied by Jesus Molino, an intelligent Indian 
who farmed some of the fertile land lying around him. Captain Von Pfister 
was one of the notable arrivals in Benicia that year. He rented William 
McDonald's new adobe building and in this opened the pioneer store of the 
county. Among the early Solano residents who frequented this country 
emporium and sat on the captain's cracker barrels were Doc Semple, Charles 
Hand, Edward Higgins, Ben Burbush, Dave A. Davis, William Bryan (not 
Jennings), George Stevens, James Thompson, Stephen Cooper, F. S. Holland, 
Landy Alford, Benjamin McDonald, William Russell, Henry Mathews, 
William J. Tustan. Even from across the Straits of Carquinez came people, 
notably the Martinez family, "to trade" in Benicia. Samuel Green McMahon, 
the Longs — J. P., Willis and Clay — Albert Lyon and John Patton that year 
added themselves to the sparse settlement of Vaca valley. 

The great discovery of gold in 1848 shook up the world and California 
sprang full-populationed if not full-armed before the world. The last lap 
of the gold-seekers was from San Francisco up the bays, past Benicia and 
the Solano shore, and up the Sacramento river. In the winters of '49 and 
'50 large numbers of the miners returned to Benicia — those who were flush, 
to spend in the usual riot; and those who were not, to try their luck in more 
sober pursuits. Thus this portion of the new commonwealth began to show 
"on the map." In 1848 John Stilts, W. P. Durbin and Charles Ramsey located 
in Green valley. Landy Alford the next spring came up from Benicia and 
lived on what is now known as the Lewis Pierce farm, in Suisun valley. 
General J. B. Frisbie and Paul K. Hubbs about this time arrived at Benicia, 
and Mathias Wolf skill joined his brother, John R., on Putah creek. In the 
fall Nathan Barbour transferred his residence to Suisun valley; also there 
came to that locality J.~H. Bauman, W. A. Dunn and Harvy Rice. In 1850 
Benicia and its rival — Vallejo, seven miles away — were becoming cities. 
They were rivals only in legislative honors when the state capital — on 
wheels — was rolling back and forth across the hills between the two places 
until it drifted "up the river" to New Helvetia. During the next year 
E. F. Gillespie, James G. Edwards located in Suisun valley; Charles Ramsey, 
J. B. Lemon and Captain Wing in Green Valley; W. G. Davison, George A. 
Gillespie arrived in the valley, and Elijah S. Silvey brought himself and his 
name to the town and township of Silveyville ; Dr. O. C. Udell was the 
pioneer physician of Putah creek, and J. M. Perry kept the first blacksmith 
shop in the county. In 1852 the first store in Suisun valley was opened 
by J. W. Seaver. The county was now settling up, and the wildness of 
the past growing tame in the hands of the newcomers. While many of the 
immigrants still lived in their early log cabins, occasionally frame dwellings 
would appear, though at considerable expense. John R. Wolfskill on the 
Rio los Putos hauled the timber for his residence from Benicia, distance 
forty miles. This cost him I2y 2 cents a foot, and the driver of his team 
cost him in wages $16 a day. At first the farms were not expensively han- 
dled. A few acres would, at the outset, be inclosed by a ditch and mound, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 59 

with brushwood heaped on top to protect the growing crops from the depre- 
dations of wild cattle and other animals ; timber was not to be procured 
save under disadvantageous circumstances of fatigue and risk; while a still 
greater enemy was ever to be feared in the firing of the uncut portions of 
the wild oats, which, when ignited, burned with fearful rapidity. Civilization 
had, however, made its impress upon the land. Hay and grain were coming 
into the market, and between the Suisun landing, or embarcadero, small craft 
were transporting the produce to San Francisco. 

Benicia was the pioneer metropolis of Solano county and was for a time 
a candidate for metropolis of California — its rapid progress was marked. 
Major Stephen Cooper opened the first hotel in the county and called it the 
"California House." It was afterwards conducted by Captain E. H. Von 
Pfister at a rental of $500 a month. The first church was Presbyterian and 
was built in 1849, the frame of the building having been imported from one of 
the eastern states. The first school was opened during that year. The first 
birth was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Barbour, and the first mar- 
riage was that of Dr. Robert Semple to Miss Fannie Cooper, the daughter 
of Stephen Cooper, Judge of the Court of the First Instance. The first 
record of a death is that of John Semple, a son of the doctor by a former 
marriage. 

In December, 1851, the plat of the town of Vacaville was filed and in 
1853 a post-office was established at Cordelia. In this year Dr. S. K. Nurse 
located at what is now Denverton. The doctor called the place Nurse's 
Landing and it soon became quite a shipping point. The land under culti- 
vation in the county in 1852 was about 6,000 acres, and in 1855 this had 
increased to 18,500 acres, distributed as follows: Wheat, 7,500 acres, 150,000 
bushels yield; barley, 5,200 acres, 156,000 bushels; oats, 700 acres, 28,000 
bushels; hay, 4,000 acres, 6,000 tons; corn, 700 acres, 21,000 bushels; pota- 
toes 200 acres, 30,000 bushels; onions, 30 acres, 50 tons; other crops, 160 
acres. In that year the county contained about 535,000 acres of land. To 
show the advance in seven years, the county assessor in 1862 reported the 
acreage of Solano to be 545,440, distributed as follows : Valley land, adapted 
for tillage, 292,000 acres; mountain and hill land, suitable for grazing pur- 
poses, 118,440 acres; swamp and overflowed lands (now being reclaimed), 
about 92,000 acres ; bays and estuaries within the county cover the surface 
of about 43,000 acres. 

The first legislature met at San Jose December 15, 1849, and the follow- 
ing February it passed an act subdividing the state into counties and estab- 
lishing seats of justices therein. In April the legislature established county 
courts of sessions, with a county judge and two justices of the peace as 
associate judges. This called for townships and Solano was subdivided into 
Suisun and Benicia townships. This arrangement was soon found to be 
unwieldy and Vallejo township was cut from it, as was Vacaville township 
cut out of Suisun. Then four divisions were found to be too few, and Green 
Valley township was chipped from Suisun and Vallejo. Other subdivisions 
have been made from time to time as the county grew in population and 
political importance, till now the townships are as follows : Benicia and 
Vallejo townships in the southwestern corner of the county; Green Valley, 
adjoining and directly north of Benicia township and bordering Napa county; 
Suisun, a large township but nearly one-half of its surface being reclaimed 
or- yet overflowed bay lands, situated in about the center of the county; 
Vacaville, in northwestern portion of the county, adjoining Napa and Yolo 
counties ; Elmira, a township almost square, east of the town of Vacaville ; 
Fremont lies in the northeast corner of Solano, bounded on the north and 
east by Yolo; Silveyville is between Vacaville and Fremont and bordering 
Yolo county; Maine Prairie is south of Fremont and Silveyville and borders 
Yolo on the east; south of these two townships is Rio Vista township, lying 



60 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

its full length along the Sacramento river; west of Rio Vista and bordering 
on this river and Suisun bay is Montezuma township ; north of this and 
lying between Suisun on the west and Rio Vista on the east is Denverton 
township. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT, 

With population coming thickly to the upper portions of the county, 
the location of the county seat at Benicia was found to be too far from 
the county center. The result of this agitation was a county seat conven- 
tion met August 7, 1858, at Suisun City with the following delegates : 

Suisun township — Philip Palmer, R. D. Pringle, H. Russell, P. O. Clay- 
ton, John Wayman, John A. Payton, V. Hawkins, Frank Aldridge, J. P. 
McKessick. 

Vacaville township — H. B. Ammons, F. J. Bartlett, W. G. Fore, H. G. 
Davidson, E. L. Bennett, E. S. Silvey, Mason Wilson, J. M. Dudley, J. W. 
Anderson. George A. Gillespie. 

Montezuma township — E. A. Townsend, C. J. Collins, J. B. Carrington. 

Fremont township — R. S. Phelps, J. B. Tufts. 

Green Valley township — G. B. Stevenson, A. M. Stevenson, Samuel G. 
Martin, W. P. Durbin. 

It will be noticed that Benicia and Vallejo sent no delegates to the 
convention, but those present voted upon a location as they selected. Fair- 
field, Suisun City, Vacaville and Denverton entered the race for county seat 
honors. Captain Robert H. Waterman, for Fairfield, offered to deed the 
county sixteen acres adjoining the town, known as "Union Park," also four 
blocks adjoining this for courthouse grounds; A. P. Jackson, for Suisun City, 
proposed donating $5,550 in money, also a 120xl00-foot lot, then known as 
"Owen's Tavern Stand;" Mason Wilson, for Vacaville, bid four blocks of 
land and $1,000; J. B. Carrington offered Denverton without any cash induce- 
ments. 

In the vote Fairfield received sixteen ballots, Suisun City twelve and 
Mr. Carrington voted for Denverton. Fairfield was declared to be the chief 
candidate, to be voted on by the electorate of the county at the next general 
election. This took place September 2, 1858, with the following result : 
Fairfield, 1,029 votes; Benicia, 625; Denverton, 38; Suisun City, 26; Vallejo, 
10; Rockville, 2; total, 1,730. 

This settled the county seat question and Captain Waterman gave bonds 
in the sum of $10,000 for the faithful performance of Fairfield's obligation. 
Union Park and the four blocks were deeded to the county, the first tract as 
a courthouse site and the additional lots to be sold for the benefit of the 
proposed buildings. It must not be imagined that Vallejo's ten votes were 
all she voted that auspicious day, or that they were the measure of a mild 
interest in the question. There is good reason to believe that the Vallejo 
vote could have kept the county seat at Benicia — only seven miles away — 
but for the remembrance of 1852, when the Carquinez city deprived Vallejo 
of the state capital. This is made evident in the following publication of 
the "disaster" in the Solano Herald of Benicia: 

"ET TU BRUTE! 

"In every general engagement, however glorious the bulletin of victory, 

there necessarily follows the melancholy supplement of casualties. In the 

list of killed and wounded of Wednesday's battle, our eye falls mournfully 

on the name of Benicia — Benicia! The long-suffering, mortally wounded, 




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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 61 

if not dead — killed by Vallejo's unsparing hand! That the people of Suisun 
and the adjoining" region should have desired a removal of the county seat 
was by no means surprising; but Vallejo! et tu Brute! In the house of our 
friends we were wounded. 

"While we hold in grateful remembrance the majority of the citizens of 
Vallejo, let us not forget those aspiring gentlemen who 'dealt us the deadly 
blow. 'Lord, keep our memory green,' for good and evil." 

The election that moved the county seat to Fairfield also selected a 
new board of supervisors — J. G. Gardner, D. B. Holman and E. F. Gillespie — 
and they soon got busy. The county records had been moved from Benicia 
(the prisoners boarded in the Contra Costa county jail), a temporary build- 
ing rented for the county officials, $50 was allowed for the architect whose 
plans would be accepted, and sealed bids for courthouse (50x40 feet) and jail 
(35x35 feet) were requested. They were opened March 14, 1859, and were 
as follows: William B. Carr, $28,400; A. Barrows, $38,500; G. W. Cord, 
$28,200; E. M. Benjamin and N. Smith, $27,200; C. Murphy, T. Collins, J. J. 
Doyle, $31,200; S. T. Carlisle, $37,745; J. J. Denny, $31,000; Tohn B. Sanford, 
$27,350 ; William McCarty, $29,500; Charles B. Tool, $34,300 fLarkin Richard- 
son, $24,440. This being the lowest bid, he gave bonds in the sum of $48,880 — 
a good, stiff bond — and went to work, completing according to specifications 
the jail by September 1 of the year, and the courthouse by September 1, 1860. 
George Bordwell, the architect, received a sum equal to one-eighth of the 
contract price for his services. A special act of the legislature authorized the 
board of supervisors to levy a tax of 50 cents upon each $100 of taxable 
property in the county for the construction of these buildings. The new 
courthouse was fitted up for occupancy by J. W. Batcheller for $1,963. It 
stood in the center of Union Park, facing Union street, and the jail was 
located directly to the eastward. The old frame temporary courthouse was 
several years afterwards placed on the west side of the new building, about 
the same distance from it as the jail was on the east. 

In 1878 the board of supervisors of Solano issued $15,000 7 per cent 
bonds for the construction of a fireproof hall of records. They were pur- 
chased by Sutro & Co., bankers of San Francisco, for $15,356. Architect 
George Bordwell prepared the plans and specifications, and the lowest bid 
was $11,597, made by Richard and John McCann, of San Francisco. The 
building, which was completed in November, 1878, stood twenty feet to 
the west of the courthouse and was 60x30 feet. It was two stories in height 
and connected with the other building by an iron bridge crossing to the 
second story. The recorder's office occupied the lower floor and the county 
clerk and supervisors occupied the upper. The furnishing of the new 
structure cost $2,000; the whole or total cost of the building being $15,400. 



62 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XIX. 
EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY OF SOLANO COUNTY. 

Solano's early political history is not voluminous nor startling. Prior 
to the American occupation of California what is now this county was com- 
paratively a small space — rancho — in the center of the great Sonoma district, 
a territory lying between the Pacific and the Sacramento, San Francisco bay 
and the Oregon line. General Vallejo in his capital — Sonoma — was the Mexi- 
can military governor from 1835 to 1846. The district was apportioned into 
prefectures presided over by alcaldes. The American soldier-governors who 
directed California affairs during the war were truly wise in one regard — 
they virtually made no changes in the handling of the courts of justice. 
Where an American was appointed alcalde he opened court in the gringo 
lingo, and that was the only new thing heard. Alcalde John Nash of Sonoma 
was the first American civil official commissioned, and Alcalde Stephen 
Cooper of Benicia probably soon after. Nash — Squire Nash, as his neigh- 
bors styled him — was not a success in the judiciary and he was "recalled." 
Lilburn W. Boggs, ex-governor of Missouri, a citizen of Sonoma, succeeded 
the retiring alcalde. Stephen Cooper was afterwards advanced in official 
dignity and was appointed by General Riley, military governor of the terri- 
tory, to be a judge of first instance. In the early court records on file at 
Fairfield is recorded an instance of quick justice in those no-delay days. It 
reads : "The People of California Territory vs. George Palmer. Now comes 
the said people by right of their attorney, and the said defendant by Semple 
and O'Melveny, and the prisoner having been arraigned on the indictment 
in this cause, pleads not guilty. Thereupon a jury was chosen, selected and 
sworn, when, after hearing the evidence and argument of counsel, returned 
into court the following verdict, to-wit : 

"The jury in the case of Palmer, defendant, the State of California, 
plaintiff, have found a verdict of guilty on both counts of the indictment, 
and sentenced him to receive the following punishment, to-wit: 

"On Saturday, the 24th day of November, to be conducted by the sheriff 
to some public place and there receive on his bare back seventy-five lashes, 
with such weapon as the sheriff may deem fit, on each count respectively, 
and to be banished from the district of Sonoma within twelve hours after 
whipping, under penalty of receiving the same number of lashes for each 
and every day he remains in the district after the first whipping. 

"(Signed) Alexander Riddell, Foreman." 

This verdict was carried into effect. 

The war with Mexico being ended, Congress wrangling over the slavery 
question, and California still in the hands of the military, the inhabitants 
thereof started out in their big fight for statehood. Brigadier-General Riley, 
the last and best of the soldier-governors, strove to impress upon the discon- 
tented people that California was not an army post, but was a territory 
under a civil government recognized by the existing laws of California, 
which were vested in a governor appointed by the supreme government; 
or in default of such appointment, the office was vested in the commanding 
military officer of the district. He moreover recommended the election of 
delegates to a state or territorial constitutional convention. This was done ; 
the delegates from the district of Sonoma being General Vallejo, Joel Walker 
and Walter R. Semple. The convention met at Monterey, September 1, 
1849. a state constitution was adopted, Peter H. Burnett was elected governor, 
two congressmen sent to Washington and a full legislature chosen. Then 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 63 

California, without awaiting the sanction of Congress or any other higher 
power than herself, admitted herself into the Union — made herself a state. 
This novel position she maintained till September 9, 1850, when Congress 
officially gave her the thirty-first star of statehood. 

The first election under the new order held in Solano took place April 1, 
1850, with the following result: County judge, James Craig; district attorney, 
R. A. Maupin; clerk, Sarshel Bynum ; attorney, D. R. Wright; surveyor, 
Ben W. Barlow; sheriff, Frank Brown; recorder, Sarshel Bynum; assessor, 
Stephen Cooper; coroner, W. F. Peabody; treasurer, David F. Beveridge. 
About forty-three officers and enlisted men of the United States government 
voted in this election. James Craig for county judge failed to qualify and 
at a special election Joseph Winston was chosen for the office. The office 
of county attorney was declared vacant and C. Gillis was elected. On 
October 7, 1850, another election was held in the county for the choice of 
several state and district officers, also the choice of a city for the state capital. 
As the result E. H. Thorp, for clerk of the supreme court, received 96 votes ; 
Fred P. Macy, for state superintendent of public instruction, 56; James A. 
McDougaL for attorney-general, 98; J. D. Bristol, for district attorney for 
the district composed of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano and Mendocino, 132; 
Martin E. Cook, for senator for the district composed of Marin, Sonoma, 
Napa, Solano, Mendocino, Yolo, Colusa and Trinity, 101 ; John S. Bradford, 
for assemblman for the district composed of Marin, Sonoma, Napa and 
Solano, 113; for the location of the state capital, Vallejo received 168 votes, 
San Jose and Monterey 1 each. Shortly after this the offices of sheriff and 
surveyor becoming vacant, B. C. Whitman and A. F. Bradley were elected 
for the offices respectively. Early in 1851 Sheriff Whitman and Attorney 
Gillis retired from office and special elections landed the following named in 
office: Paul Shirley, sheriff; Thomas M. Swan, attorney; William Barnett 
and James Wyatt, justices of the peace, Vallejo township; William E. Brown, 
constable, Vallejo township; Daniel M. Berry and W. P. Degman, justices of 
the peace, Suisun township ; William Munn, constable, Suisun township ; 
Calvin Brown, justice of the peace, and J. G. Dennis, constable, for Benicia 
township. At this early period the voters of the county were not of great 
number, and seem to have been distributed as follows : Benicia township, 
174; Vallejo township, 29; Suisun township, 72. 

In the general election of September 3, 1851, Solano's vote on some of 
the candidates is interesting. For governor — John Bigler, Democrat, re- 
ceived 233 votes, and P. B. Reading, Whig, 393. Bigler was elected, beating 
Reading in the entire state 22,613 to 21,531 votes. 

For lieutenant-governor — Solano county gave Drury P. Baldwin, Whig, 
373 votes, and Samuel Purdy, Democrat, 248. Purdy beat Baldwin in the 
state 23,373 to 19,656. 

For attorney general — She gave W. D. Fair, Whig, 366, and S. C. 
Hastings, Democrat, 252. The Democrat beat his Whig opponent 23,016 
to 21,044. 

For justice supreme court — Tod Robinson, Whig, 366; Solomon Heyden- 
feldt, Democrat, 247. Heydenfeldt beat the Whig, 24,428 to 20,670. 

For state controller — A. G. Abell, Whig, 369; W. T. Pierce, Democrat, 
248. Again the Democrat, beaten in Solano, bested his opponent in the state 
to the tune of 22,996 to 20,675. 

For surveyor-general — Walter Herron, Whig, received 363 votes; W. M. 
Eddy, Democrat, 254. Eddy won in the state, 22,678 to 21,473. 

Even in the choice of two congressmen Solano stuck to her dearly- 
beloved Whigs, and lost. She gave to E. C. Marshall, Democrat, 274 (his 
state vote 23,604), and to E. J. C. Kewen, Whig, 371 (state vote 20,407) ; to 
Toseph W. McCorkle, Democrat, 250 (state vote 23,624), and to Ben F. 
Moore, Whig, 347 (state vote 19,071). 



64 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

For state treasurer, however, Solano broke the rule, giving Richard 
Roman, Democrat, 318, and J. M. Burt, Whig, 301. In the state Roman 
beat Burt 24,666 to 19,777. She voted for Senator J. M. Estell, the victorious 
Democrat, but was for James S. Graham, the victorious Whig, assemblman. 
This division of ballots showed the state Democratic and the county Whig. 
However, these were the "days of gold," and it was hard to get candidates 
for office. The duties were difficult and the pay poor in comparison. A 
man with pick, shovel and pan might wash out more wealth in one day 
than he could draw in a month's salary. Frequently "present incumbent" 
would turn up missing, to be heard of on some distant claim, and his office 
would be declared vacant. 



CHAPTER XX. 

MEXICAN GRANTS. 

When the Territory of California came into the United States what is 
now Solano county contained six Mexican grants, having a total of about 
186,000 acres. Under the terms of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo this 
government was bound to confirm these rancho titles if found valid — which 
they were. But in many instances the boundary lines of the tracts were 
indefinite and claimants in the form of "squatters" had confused owner- 
ships, causing bitter controversies and protracted litigation. Where surveys 
had been made carelessly, lines run "on horseback" in a gallop from point to 
• point, it is no wonder that the real location of tracts of land was sometimes 
difficult. However, long lawsuits and years of dispute cleared the clouds 
from the titles and peace hovered over the fertile plains of California. The 
big tracts in Solano were as follows : The Suisun rancho occupied the whole 
of Suisun valley and contained about seventeen thousand seven hundred 
and fifty-two acres. Suscol rancho, lying on the south and west, including 
the townships of Vallejo and Benicia, contained eighty-four thousand acres. 
Tolenas, or Armijo, rancho, northeast of the Suisun rancho, with thirteen 
thousand three hundred and fourteen acres. Vaca and Peha rancho, includ- 
ing all of Vaca valley, contained about forty-four thousand . three hundred 
and eighty acres. Rio Los Putos, or Wolfskill, rancho was situated in the 
north and west portion of the county on Putah creek. A large part of the 
grant was in Yolo county, but that portion in Solano was eight thousand eight 
hundred and eighty acres. Ulpinos, or Bidwell, rancho occupied the eastern 
part of the county, along the Sacramento river and the sloughs covering 
the town of Rio Vista and the Montezuma hills ; it contained about seven- 
teen thousand seven hundred and fifty-two acres. 

In old papers may be found interesting histories of these grants and the 
methods of their transfer from government to citizen. One of the records 
contains the grant to the Indian, Solano, of four leagues of land in Suisun 
valley. It may be stated that the grant was only a confirmation of his 
original and righteous claim as a native of the soil, and as he so states in his 
petition dated January 16,> 1837 : 

(Translation.) 

"To the Comandante-General M. G. Vallejo, Sonoma : 

"Francisco Solano, principal chief of the unconverted Indians and born 
captain of the 'Suisunes,' in due form before your honor represents : 

"That, being a free man, and owner of a sufficient number of horses 
and cattle to establish a rancho, he solicits from the strict justice and good- 
ness of your honor, that you be pleased to grant him the land of the Suisun, 
with its known appurtenances, which are a little more than four square 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 65 

leagues from the 'Portzuela to the Salina de Sacha.' Said lands belongs to 
him by hereditary right from his ancestors, and he is actually in possession 
of it; but he wishes to revalidate his rights in accordance with the existing 
laws of our republic and of the order of colonization recently decreed by the 
supreme government. 

"He therefore prays that your honor be pleased to grant him the land 
which he asks for, and procure for him, from the proper sources, the titles 
which may be necessary for his security, and that you will also admit this on 
common paper, there being none of the corresponding stamp in this place. 
"(Signed) Francisco Solano." 

General Vallejo immediately issued a decree granting Solano tempo- 
rarily and provisionally the occupancy and use of the four leagues asked 
for. He also instructed the petitioner to petition the government of the 
state for the usual title deeds in order to make valid his rights. This the 
Indian did and in the answer written six days after (an American governor 
would have been nearer six years) Solano received the deeds to his rancho 
from Governor Juan B. Alvarado. The following is a translation of the 
grant : 

"Whereas, the aboriginal, Francisco Solano, for his own personal benefit 
and that of his family, has asked for the land known by the name of Suisun, 
of which place he is a native, and chief of the tribes of the frontier of 
Sonoma, and being worthy of reward for the quietness which he has caused 
to be maintained by that unchristianized people ; the proper proceedings and 
examinations having previously been made as required by the laws and 
regulations, using the powers conferred on me in the name of the Mexican 
nation, I have granted him the above-mentioned land, adjudicating to him 
the ownership of it, by these presents, being subject to the approbation of 
the most excellent departmental junta, and to the following conditions, 
to-wit : 

"That he may inclose it, without prejudice to the crossings, roads and 
servitudes, and enjoy it freely and exclusively, making such use and cultiva- 
tion of it as he may see fit ; but within one year he shall build a house and it 
shall be inhabited. 

"He shall ask the magistrate of the place to give him judicial possession 
of it, in virtue of this order, by whom the boundaries shall be marked out, 
and he shall place in them, besides the landmarks, some fruit or forest trees 
of some utility. 

"The land herein mentioned is to the extent of four sitios de granado 
mayor (four square leagues), with the limits, as shown on the map accom- 
panying the respective expediente. The magistrate who gives the possession 
will have it measured according to ordinance, leaving the excess that may 
result to the nation for its convenient uses. 

"If he contravene these conditions, he shall lose his right to the land 
and it may be denounced by another. 

"In consequence, I order these presents be held firm and valid; that a 
register be taken of it in the proper book, and that it be given to the party 
interested, for his voucher and other purposes. 

"Given this twenty-first day of January, one thousand eight hundred 
and forty-two, at Monterey. 

"(Signed) Juan B. Alvarado, 

"(Signed) Manuel Jimeno, Secretary." 

On October 3, 1845, the departmental assembly at Los Angeles issued 
an approval of the report and proceedings and Solano was confirmed in per- 
petual possession of his claim. 

The first application of Armijo was made in the following: 
"To the Senor Comandante-General : 



66 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



"Jose Francisco Armijo, by birth a Mexican, before your honor, in the 
manner which may be best for me in the law, says : That having four sons, 
natives of the same country, without owning any lands to cultivate,, finding 
myself owner of about one hundred head of cattle, the product of which I 
annually lose, supplicate that your honor will be pleased to concede to me 
the place known by the name of Tolenas. That in company with my son, 
Antonio Maria, I dedicate myself to the cultivation of my own land and 
the breeding of cattle, with the understanding that the land which I solicit 
is from the place already mentioned, to Ololatos creek, containing about 
three leagues of land, more or less, and it joins with the Suisun rancho. 

"For this I pray that you will be pleased to decree as I have petitioned, 
for which I respectfully forward herewith the map. 

"This favor I shall perpetuate on my memory. 

[Does not know how to sign.] 

"Sonoma, November 22, 1839." 

Vallejo made an order on the margin of this petition in which permis- 
sion was given Armijo to occupy the premises described therein upon 
condition that he should not in any manner molest or disturb the wild Indians 
who lived upon it; but on the contrary should endeavor to inspire them 
with confidence in the whites; and should any act of rebellion occur among 
them, he should immediately communicate the same to Solano, the chief 
of the "Suisunes," with whom, by reason of his proximity Avith both parties, 
it would be convenient to advise as to whatever might conduce to the lives 
and tranquillity of the settlers. Armijo, upon this order, entered into the 
# possession of the land, and subsequently received his grant. 

Solano's title to the Suisun grant afterwards passed by purchase to 
General Vallejo, and Armijo's title to the Tolenas, upon his death in 1849, 
to his son Antonio. A long-drawn-out boundary dispute between Vallejo 
and Armijo over the north line dividing the Suisun and Tolenas grants for 
many years kept the titles of subsequent purchasers in the clouds. 

The litigation connected with Suscol and the Luco, or El Sobrante, 
grants was the most noted land controversy of the state. The Suscol title 
came from Vallejo and it was claimed by the subsequent purchasers that 
the eleven-league grant was given the general in consideration for money 
and supplies furnished the Mexican, or state, government. Also for his 
official services. After a long and expensive contest, the grant was declared 
invalid and the tract public land. Congress came to the relief of the pur- 
chasers under the Vallejo title with a special pre-emption act, which allowed 
them to enter their lands at $1.25 per acre. 

In the "Sobrante" case one Juan Luco claimed to have purchased from a 
Mexican vaquero a grant which he had received in all due form from the 
Mexican government. The size of the flimsy claim should have killed even 
an imaginary title, as it covered 284.000 acres. The grant was finally rejected 
by the courts, and the public domain made all the larger by said decision. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 67 



CHAPTER XXI. 
BENICIA THE BLESSED. 

TBenicia would have been Francesco or Francisco but for the fact that 
the port of Yerba Buena, farther down the string of bays, "got there" first. 
The city on the straits of Carquinez was to take one of the names of Senora 
Vallejo (Francesca), but Yerba Buena got the name of St. Francis de Assisi, 
slightly changed it to San Francesco before her civic rival was ready for a 
title. So Benicia, another of Senora Vallejo's several Christian names, was 
substituted. The name means "beneficent," "beneficial," "blessing," and is 
a good one. 

Soon after the town survey was completed by Jasper O'Farrell, William 
I. Tustin, wife and son, from Sonoma, arrived at the place. They found the 
surveyor's stakes standing in the wild oats, the bay washing the shore, and 
that was all there was to Benicia the Blessed. The Tustins camped on the 
city site and three days after were joined by Dr. Semple, who came from 
Bodega with a schooner-load of lumber, a portion of which went into Tustin's 
house, and thus began the city named in honor of Francesca Benicia Maria 
Felipsa Carrillo- Vallejo. The town grew rapidly and was soon an important 
bay port, bidding fair to meet the anticipations of its founders. 

"Doctor" Bob Semple, the originator of Benicia, was a remarkable 
figure, as remarkable as ever came out of the blue grass meadows of Ken- 
tucky. He was almost seven feet tall and spare to thinness — but he was a 
"goer," and always busy. He was so long-limbed that when on horseback 
his feet were close to the ground — in fact, so far away from the animal's 
belly that he buckled the spurs on his legs instead of his heels. He was 
stoop-shouldered from having to bend his back in order to get down to 
ordinary people's height. He was sanguine and impulsive, kind and con- 
siderate, but quite determined to have his own way. and always sure that 
Benicia was destined to be the queen city of the great west. He ran the 
pioneer ferry between that place and Martinez — first by hand-power and 
after by horse-power, having rigged up a machine on his flat-bottomed 
scow. When the gold excitement startled the country and men were pre- 
paring for a stampede for the mines, Semple did not become enthused. His 
favorite mineral was coal, but he did not dream that across the straits, on 
the slope of Diablo, were great beds of the noble fuel. About this time Sam 
Brannan, on his way to Coloma, persuaded Captain Von Pfister to go in 
partnership with him, pack his stock of goods in Semple's ferry-boat and go 
up the Sacramento. Semple took them to a point as near the gold mines 
as he could, and when he returned to Benicia two weeks later he found an 
army of men and wagons en route to the "diggings" at the ferry waiting 
to cross. Von Pfister finally returned to Benicia, where he lived the remain- 
der of his life. 

The "doctor" formed a copartnership with William Robinson, John S. 
Bradford and Lansing B. Mizner under the firm name of Semple, Robinson 
& Co., for the transaction of general business. They purchased the Chilian 
bark Confederacion with her cargo of East Indian goods and moored her 
alongside the bank for wharf. That was her final resting place and she was 
long afterwards known as "the old hulk." The path between the bark and 
the store being over marshy tule ground, some of the muddiest places were 
paved with boxes of tobacco — that commodity being then a drug in the 
Benicia market, and lumber being correspondingly a scarcity. The firm 
prospered and soon added a two-story warehouse to their buildings. The 



68 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



popularity of this trio of pioneers never waned. Semple was president of the 
first constitutional convention of the state and was the moving' spirit in that 
illustrious body that rushed this noble territory into the American Union. 
Bradford in the senate represented Solano in the first session of the legisla- 
ture at San Jose in 1850 ; he subsequently returned to Illinois and became 
mayor of Springfield. Robinson removed to Shasta county, where he was 
elected county judge. Mizner studied law, moved to San Francisco, where 
he successfully practiced his profession for years. He represented Solano 
in the senate, 1867-8, and was United States minister to Central America, 
1889. His death occurred at his home in Benicia, December 9, 1893. 

In the latter part of 1849 L. B. Mizner and S. K. Nurse started a four- 
mule stage line, making tri-weekly trips between Benicia and Sacramento, 
connecting with San Francisco by sloop. This was continued till the arrival 
of steamers for the river run, when they sold their mules and quit. 

Bethuel Phelps was the pioneer building contractor, and even with 
lumber ranging from $200 to $600 per thousand feet and carpenter wages 
$16 and $20 a day, he put up stores and dwellings rapidly, but not too rapidly 
for the growing metropolis. Among the passengers who came to Benicia 
in the bark Confederacion were General Persifer F. Smith, the military com- 
mander of the department, and his staff; also C. E. Wetmore and family. 
The general was so impressed with the importance of the point that he 
immediately secured for the government sites bordering on Suisun bay for 
a military reservation. On this were constructed arsenal, barracks, maga- 
zines, quartermaster's storehouses and hospital. National troops have always 
been stationed at this post. The senior naval officer on the coast, about this 
time, brought the United States storeship Southampton to Benicia, mooring 
her near the town in what is now known as Southampton bay. He had 
other vessels of his fleet stationed in these waters, among which vessels were 
the 74-gun frigate Ohio, then the largest ship in the American navy; the 
frigates Savannah and Congress — the former had made the famous run into 
Monterey with Sloat and the flag that sealed California to Uncle Sam, and 
the latter vessel was afterwards destroyed by the rebel Merrimac in Hamp- 
ton Roads, Virginia ; the sloop-of-war Vandalia (lost at Apia in the awful 
hurricane that wrecked every craft in that harbor), and the transport Fre- 
donia (wrecked in the great tidal wave of 1868 at Arica, Peru) ; also the 
Levant (mysteriously lost at sea between Honolulu and Panama in 1866). 
Colonel Silas Casey, U. S. A., the first commander of the Benicia post, was 
first quartered with his staff and family on the old ship Julie, then moored in 
the mud near the arsenal building. The timbers of the ancient hulk are yet 
there. Among the soldiers, since famous, who were stationed at this post 
was Captain Lyon, afterwards General Lyon, killed at the battle of Lexing- 
ton, Mo., 1861. During an engagement with hostile Indians, one of his own 
men, by accident or design, shot a bullet through that officer's hat. In his 
report to General Riley, Lyon indignantly exhibited the hat, saying that the 
mysterious shot did not come from an enemy. "And it certainly did not 
come from a friend," answered the witty Irishman, and the investigation 
ended for want of further evidence. Rev. S. Woodbridge was one of the 
early arrivals in Benicia, and he soon organized a Presbyterian church — 
said to be the first Protestant church in California. Dr. Woodbridge also 
opened a day school, and among his many duties kept the records of the 
township. Dr. W. F. Peabody, during the summer of '49, established a 
hospital and was soon enjoying a large and paying patronage from return- 
ing miners. From 1853 to 1854 — for about one year — Benicia was the state 
capital. The city of Vallejo in 1851 had been declared the seat of govern- 
ment, but the members of the legislature were not satisfied with the accom- 
modations there, and other cities bidding for the honor of entertaining the 
lawmakers, there was a strong inclination to move again. January 12, 1852, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 69 

both houses at Vallejo adjourned to meet at Sacramento on the 16th. On 
the afternoon of the 13th the steamer Empire left Vallejo for "up the river," 
and reached Sacramento next day. She was loaded "to the guards" with 
legislators and their friends. They were received with music, oratory, cannon 
thunders and other joyful noises and a grand ball given by the citizens com- 
pleted the welcome ceremonies. The county courthouse was prepared and 
on the 16th the legislature met for a session in the new capital. March 7 
Sacramento was almost swept out of existence by a devastating flood, and the 
legislature next month hurried to pass an act again recognizing Vallejo as 
the permanent seat of government, and directing the governor to remove 
the archives from Sacramento to that city, without unnecessary delay, upon 
the adjournment of the legislature. 

Early in 1853 General Vallejo confessed his inability to carry out his 
portion of the contract. As in former years, many places bid for the capital, 
but Benicia with her offer of the new city hall won the prize. February 4 
at Vallejo the legislature adopted a resolution to meet at Benicia on the 
11th and on the 14th Vallejo was released from his obligation. May 18 
another act was passed declaring Benicia the permanent seat of govern- 
ment, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, and it was de- 
clared unlawful for any court or judge to grant a writ of mandamus or 
other order directed against the state officers to compel them to remove 
the state archives or offices from Benicia or any other point in the state. 
The building in which the legislature met in Benicia is yet in existence, and 
is yet the city hall. Its walls are of brick and it is two stories in height. 
The rear portion of the lower story constituted the senate chamber, which 
was approached by a hallway from the main entrance. There were four 
large rooms in the building on that floor, opening into the hallway between 
the senate chamber and the entrance. In the upper story the assembly 
chamber occupied the rear part, and the front of the building was divided 
into two rooms. Although Benicia had done all she could to win, had 
carried out every agreement, was situated naturally for the capital city of 
the state, she was destined to lose ; and early in 1853 the "move" movement 
was in action. It was argued that only Sacramento could accommodate the 
offices and officers of the state and safely care for the public records. Gov- 
ernor Bigler in his annual message to the legislature, January 4, 1854, said : 

"Although deeply impressed with the importance as well as the necessity 
of economizing in every department of the state government, I feel it incum- 
bent upon me to direct your attention to the insecure condition of the public 
archives. The entire public records, as well as the state library, now number- 
ing 4,000 volumes, are kept in fragile frame buildings, without fireproof 
vaults or safes. The public records are now invaluable, and if destroyed 
could not be replaced, and their loss would involve the state and individuals 
in serious difficulties. In other states of the confederacy the officers of state 
are provided with substantial brick or stone buildings and the public records 
rendered entirely secure by being deposited in fireproof vaults or safes 
provided for that purpose. In this truly important matter we are admon- 
ished of the necessity of increased safeguards by the many and terrible 
conflagrations which have occurred during the past year. I trust, therefore, 
that you will, without delay, adopt such measures as you may deem neces- 
sary to render entirely secure the public archives in the several offices, and 
also the state library." 

On January 6 the governor sent a special message to the legislature 
transmitting a communication from the mayor and common council of 
Sacramento, offering, if the capital should be removed from Benicia to that 
city, to grant to the state government the free use of the courthouse and 
other suitable rooms for the accommodation of the state officers, together 
with fireproof vaults for the security of the public moneys and records ; to 



70 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



remove the members of the legislature and the state officers and the govern- 
ment furniture and archives, free of charge from Benicia; and to grant to 
the state, for a building lot for the capitol, the public square between I and J 
and Ninth and Tenth streets. The courthouse tendered for the use of the 
legislature was the same building in which the sessions of 1852 had been 
held. It was of brick 60x80 feet in dimensions and two stories high. The 
people of Benicia offered the free use of the buildings then occupied for 
state purposes for as long a time as they might desire. The propositions 
were referred to special committees, to whom also were referred the various 
resolutions and bills that had been offered on the subject of the capital re- 
moval. A bill was introduced fixing the capital permanently at Sacramento, 
and after a hard fight for and against, passed both houses and received the 
governor's approval. A resolution to adjourn to the new capital city was 
hurriedly passed. and February 28, 1854, the governor and other state officers 
arrived at Sacramento, where they were received with numerous demonstra- 
tions of rejoicing, the Sutter Rifles escorting the newcomers through the 
streets and the mayor delivering an address of welcome. March 1 the legis- 
lature again met in the Sacramento courthouse and the Benicia statehouse 
was vacated. It became the county courthouse till the county seat removed to 
Fairfield, when it passed to its present status — the city hall. However, the 
loss of the capital was a disappointment, not a disaster. Nature gave what 
no legislature could take away — a noble site, a splendid position on the 
great waterway of California. It is a city of factories. The Benicia Iron 
Works, its buildings and yards covering an area of twenty-five acres, and 
from which is shipped a finished output averaging one thousand tons per 
• day, is located here ; as is the most extensive bolt plant in the west. The 
shipyards are an important feature of Benicia's prosperity. Here is the 
Turner which has sent its beautiful and graceful vessels to all portions of the 
globe. The Western Creameries Company, with a daily capacity of 5,000 
pounds of butter, also a large output of condensed cream, adds to Benicia's 
commercial importance. In such a fruit county as Solano, a packing plant 
could be expected anywhere in the territory, consequently the Carquinez 
Packing Company now doing business in Benicia is in the usual order of 
events. Besides yearly 40,000 or 50,000 cases of fruit grown in Solano valleys, 
it packs thousands of cases of fish caught in Solano waters. The Benicia, 
the Shaw and the McKay tanneries employ several hundred men and annually 
turn out over $1,500,000 worth of leather. In 1853 St. Catherine's Academy, 
under the charge of the Roman Catholic Sisters of St. Dominic, was removed 
from Monterey to Benicia. Its faculty, the seven sisters, teach the one hun- 
dred and twenty day-pupils and thirty boarding pupils. The course of study 
is the same as the public grammar and high schools. Several other educa- 
tional institutions, public and denominational, are in flourishing condition. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 71 



CHAPTER XXII. 

MONTEZUMA TOWNSHIP. 

Principally this township is a tract of treeless, rolling hills for its north- 
ern portion and marsh lands for the southern. The soil of these hills is adobe, 
suitable for grain and hay, and the tract bordering the Sacramento river and 
Suisun bay is suitable for pasturage and dairying. Consequently much of 
the township is sparsely populated. Its only towns are Bird's Landing and 
Collinsville, the latter a small but lively shipping point on the Sacramento 
river, just where this stream and the San Joaquin river come together. This 
point is the great fishing ground of the state, and during the two salmon 
seasons of the year tons of this noble catch are canned here or sent to market 
in San Francisco. River steamers and other craft make Collinsville their 
regular stopping place and in daily connection with the outside world. C. J. 
Collins, in 1859, pre-empted this site and two years after he platted the place, 
built a store and wharf and gave it his name. Then a post-office was estab- 
lished with George W. Miller its postmaster. In 1867 he sold out to S. C. 
Bradshaw, who called the landing Newport. Bradshaw was a land-boomer 
and the fame of Newport and its greater future was soon known even in the 
east. Excursions from San Francisco brought buyers to the place and its 
lots were sold and resold. Finally E. J. Upham became the owner of the 
property. He was more practical and changed the town back to Collinsville, 
and also changed it from paper-Newport to the real place it is at present. 

Montezuma City. 

This metropolis is a has-been — in fact, it never was; but it was the 
pioneer town or city of the county; and this, with its kingly aboriginal title, 
maintains its place in history. In 1846 Lansing W. Hastings landed on the 
shore of Suisun bay near the present site of Collinsville. He was the advance 
agent of the Mormons to select a site for a colony of those peculiar religion- 
ists in then Mexican territory. Their hatred for the United States govern- 
ment would gain them the sympathy of Mexico and in the far west they would 
establish their new Canaan. Hastings thought he had found the ideal spot, 
and from the crest of a headland fronting on the bay he saw the Promised 
Land. Then he built an adobe house and called it Montezuma City to please 
Mexico and the Mexicans. It was not an unreasonable thought. The swell- 
ing tiplands to the north, which he immediately called "Montezuma Hills," 
were covered with rich verdure. The tall wild oats, a vast sea of green, 
waved in the almost eternal winds that swept, and sweep, over the country. 
There were no trees, but other vegetation made up for this, and wild game, 
such as deer and elk and other fauna, thickly populated the tract. To the 
south lay the grand twin-rivers and bays, waterways for the accommodation 
of the world's commerce. There were then several small settlements on 
the opposite or Contra Costa shore — the beginning of large cities in that 
portion of the territory. It was a panorama indeed that unrolled before this 
pioneer colonist — the snow-crested wall of the distant Sierras, with the 
majestic plain of the Sacramento between; grand old Diablo and her sur- 
rounding slopes and valleys across the waters ; the wide sweep of bay and 
coast range to the west, and the grand empire of mountain and level to the 
north. Here, thought Hastings, the Mormon would locate and thrive and 
wive and grow many and strong politically and defy his enemies. Bayard 
Taylor, in his book "Eldorado," which contains his travels in California 
during the last forties, speaks of the "City of Montezuma" as "a solitary house 



72 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



on a sort of headland projecting into Suisun bay, and fronting its rival three- 
house 'City of New York,' " on the Contra Costa shore. 

But the dream of future greatness ended, though the embryo city of 
the Aztec passed into a deeper sleep. The American flag went aloft forever 
at Monterey and the possibility of establishing an independent Mormon 
commonwealth in California faded. Even its advance colonist drifted away, 
leaving his "city" to be tenanted by the local coyotes and visited by the 
passing sea-gulls. L. P. Marshall, with his sons, John and Knox, driving a 
band of cattle across the country during the winter of 1852-53, took posses- 
sion of the empty adobe. It was in a very dilapidated condition and had 
been stripped of every portable thing, even the doors and windows. In and 
about the house they found evidence that counterfeit coin had been manu- 
factured there by a wandering gang of counterfeiters or by Hastings to be 
used by his Mormon colonists. He never acquired title from either the 
Mexican or American government, but when he returned (from the mines) 
in 1854 he claimed pay for the improvements on the tract, consisting princi- 
pally of the old abandoned house. John and Knox gave him four mules, 
valued at $1,000. The Marshall people occupied this property many years as 
a cattle ranch after it passed to other ownership. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

ALONG THE LOWLANDS. 

The townships of Denverton — which lies just north of Montezuma — 
Rio Vista, Maine Prairie, Silveyville and Fremont occupy much of the south 
and east portion of the county. Considerable of the surface is marsh re- 
claimed lands, though the other soils are extremely fertile and under high 
cultivation. Shipping places on the deep sloughs that reach inland from 
the bay afford ways to market for the country produce. Rio Vista, the prin- 
cipal town in the township of that name, was surveyed and started in 1857 
by Colonel N. H. Davis. It is situated on the Sacramento river about one 
mile below the mouth of Cashe slough. In the memorable flood winter of 
'61 the old river literally washed old Rio Vista off its site and a newer and 
higher and safer site was found near where the present flourishing town of 
almost one thousand inhabitants is located. Fruit and fish canning is an 
important part of its industry, the broad river flowing by the place providing 
transportation. This section is a part of the old Ulpinos grant, formerly 
deeded to John Bidwell, then a naturalized Mexican citizen. Silveyville 
township gets its name from its pioneer settler, Elijah S. Silvey, who estab- 
lished the town of that name in the township. The town of Dixon received 
its title from Thomas Dickson, who donated ten acres of land for its site. It 
was to be named Dickson, but the first box of freight that was hauled into 
the new place was marked "Dixon" and could not be changed. Elmira town- 
ship, with its forty-five square miles of upland, is a veritable garden — fruit 
in the western portion next to that great orchard, Vaca, and grain in the east. 
Railroads pass through it hourly, the principal town, Elmira, being formerly 
called Vaca Station. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 73 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
SUISUN TOWNSHIP. 

''The Island" is Suisun City's original name, bestowed upon the place 
when the original human settler dispossessed the mudhens. A few lots, 
higher than the tides, but lower than the slough-bottom in practical value, 
were "The Island" in those far-days when Solano and his bucks chased game 
over these grain — and afterwards orchard — sites. The bay waters washed 
around and over the flats that now appear between the county seat and her — 
almost — self. This was contemporary with the time when the Mexican 
government gave Armijo three square leagues of these rare acres to gallop 
over, and waste just as soon as the land-grabbing gringo came along to 
wheedle him out of them ; "on or about" the time the Vacas (the Americanos 
who wouldn't speak Spanish called them "Barkers") and the Penas herded 
their cattle in the rich "Barker" valleys. There was deep water alongside 
the island and the fleet of small craft that began to cruise the sloughs made 
of it an embarcadero or landing place. Captain Josiah Wing, one of these 
skippers, located there — among the tules — and the mudhens embarked for 
other islands. From this Suisun City — they called it a "city" even then — ■ 
grew. The island spread and as the soil advanced .the slough receded 
Then landed Captain Bob Waterman, weary of the sea and its thirty years 
of turmoil, seeking the rest and seclusion which a house in Suisun valley 
grants. "Captain Bob" was a good citizen and lived quietly on his ranch 
near Fairfield. Lurid and amusing and saline-flavored are the tales which 
followed him from ship to shore. In them he was "Bully Waterman" and 
around and in the vicinity of "The Horn" he had dropped many a sail-reefing 
sailor from the yards rocking in the fury of a southeast gale. Then came 
Cal and D. D. Reeves, J. B. Lemon, Allen C. Miller, William J. Costigan, 
John W. Pearce, P. J. Christler, E. P. Hilborn and J. B. Hoyt. About 1860 
R. D. Dobbins arrived in Suisun valley — with four-bits in his pocket — so he 
proudly affirms, though there be many of his neighbors who affirm that that 
coin, the pioneer of the millions of like coins he now possesses, was at that 
early time in his hand, ready for investment in the rich, fertile field of Solano ; 
albeit, Mr. Dobbins made good use of his time and now owns houses and 
lands and herds and banks "all over." 

While Suisun City down on her "island" was attaining the importance 
of the chief county port-of-entry and departure, another town was growing 
just outside of the "city's" ring of tules. This was the future county seat. 
When Benicia lost that distinction Robert H. Waterman offered a public 
park and new city blocks for public building sites. Captain Bob came from 
the state where the wooden nutmeg grows, and from a town named Fair- 
field — possibly the said nutmegs flourished unusually well in that field. The 
board of supervisors hauled the county records and the county officers up 
from Benicia, told the ex-skipper to hand over his town lots, built thereon a 
courthouse and jail and called the whole settlement Fairfield. The filling-in 
process between the twin-towns went on until the plank roadway was re- 
moved and "the island" was completely surrounded by land. That the two 
places — the town of Fairfield and the city of Suisun — do not combine, merge, 
mix and make a showing on the Solano map is of some wonder. By the last 
census the county seat is accredited with 834 population, while 640 souls 
inhabit "the island," and the question is — why do not the "Islanders" hook 
up with the " 'Fielders" and the two become one fair town? Solano's large 



74 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



places are not many — they run: Vallejo, 11,340; Benicia, 2,360; Vacaville. 
1,177; Rio Vista, 884; Fairfield, 834; Dixon, 827; Suisun, 640; Elmira, 397; 
Collinsville, 275; Army Point, 220; Batavia, 125. 

Suisun valley and its western neighbor, Green valley, were soon occupied, 
their fertile levels sheltered by the surrounding hills, early attracting the atten- 
tion of the immigrant. Quickly the big ranchos were cut up into farms and 
wheat was practically the staple product from the Suscol range to Putah 
creek. But the great, never-failing profit in fruit turned many grain fields to 
orchards, the warm, sheltered soils of this section of the state being nature's 
fruiting place. Between two parallel ranges of hills is Green Valley, its 
southern end being at Bridgeport, in the bay tules, and probably every acre 
of the valley proper is under cultivation, either in grain, trees or vines. A 
number of large dairies send their product from this fertile vale and the bor- 
dering slopes and hills are grazing grounds for a big beef-cattle industry. 

The noted Fred Jones cherry orchard occupies much of the upper or 
northern end of the valley. The output of this noble holding has made a 
special place for itself in the eastern markets. This place was first a vineyard, 
the remains of its stone wine cellars yet to be seen near the present cherry 
packing houses. F. S. Jones came to California from Massachusetts in 1853, 
first settling in Sonoma, where he married Mary Swift, the daughter of 
William Swift, a prominent and wealthy pioneer of Sonoma valley. About 
ten years later Mr. Jones settled in Solano county, where his son, Frederick 
H. S. Jones, now lives and thrives, growing the fruit that is known far over 
the world. Three large vineyards and wineries are located on the warm slopes 
of the valley. This division of Solano agriculture was commenced by John 
Votypka, an Austrian, who settled in 1858 near the foot of the "Twin Sisters" 
mountain and planted a vineyard. Votypka is now a resident of Santa Rosa, 
but his large orchard is a part of Solano's rich fruit belt. Besides her 
orchards and vineyards, Green Valley township has another source of wealth, 
which, however, is down under the rich soil. This is in the crushed rock and 
building stone quarry near Cordelia. It is located at a 250-acre hill of vol- 
canic tufa and the entire plant of expensive machinery is owned by the E. B. 
and A. L. Stone Company. 



CHAPTER XXV. 
INDUSTRIES OF THE SUISUN VALLEY. 

The fruit industry of Suisun valley is only in its beginning, but it is 
immense. No irrigation is needed for these orchards, but they earn each 
year probably a million dollars. Possibly a third of this amount is in the 
refrigerated carloads that roll eastward from Suisun every summer. During 
the picking season the orchards are hives of industry, where the busy workers 
harvest the golden output. Among these great tree-tracts are the Lewis 
Pierce, the Hatch and the Chadbourne orchards, principally of apricots, pears, 
cherries and peaches. Nor is the fresh fruit industry of all importance. The 
dried fruit business for six months in the year is of great volume. At Suisun 
and Fairfield are the large packing-houses of the J. K. Armsby Company and 
of the Ernst Luehning Company, which employ hundreds of people, and 
ship away to foreign markets an immense quantity of fruit and nuts. 

Another product of this wonderful valley is cement. The quarry and 
plant owned by the Pacific Portland Cement Company is located about six 
miles northeast of the county seat. The quality of the product is the equal 
of any known cement and is in use over all the Pacific coast. The plant turns 
out about three thousand barrels daily and gives employment to eight or ten 
hundred men. Here is the town of Cement, popiilated by the families of 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES ' 75 

the employes of the company. A school is maintained at Cement for the 
children of the locality, also a hospital for the sick or injured. 

The peculiar character of the rocks of Solano county makes the formation 
good building material and another source of wealth to the quarryman. Even 
at an early day fine dwellings and other houses were constructed of this 
natural material. The large church building at Rockville, about five miles 
west of Suisun, is of stone. Rockville, by the way, is a has-been village. Only 
its old church exists, and that is as silent as the small graveyard around it. 
Even its only historical claim — Chief Solano had a royal rancheria there — 
has lost interest; and the fact that it is, or was, the pioneer settlement of the 
valley is forgotten. 

The latest and most important building event in Solano county is the new 
courthouse. This noble white granite pile was erected in 1911 immediately 
in the rear of the old building. This was a convenient arrangement, as it 
insured the construction of the new house in the public park, and when the 
county officials stepped across the threshold into their new quarters, the old 
were immediately demolished and removed. The new temple is of two stories, 
stone, and the interior beautifully finished in marble. A splendid stairway 
leads to the superior court chamber and apartments above. 

Suisun and Fairfield, consolidated, will grow larger and become of greater 
importance. A line of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company splits the dual 
town, but in a near day the great electric system now reaching westward from 
the state capital will touch with a revivifying hand "the island" and its neigh- 
bor. The federal government is deepening and straightening out the sloughs 
that connect Solano's embarcadero with the great bays, and this will give 
Suisun a deep and straight-away run through the tules to the sea. The 
twin towns have their own water systems, and natural gas is now piped from 
the hills down into the streets. 



CHAPTER XXVI-. 
VACA VALLEY. 

There is a township called Vacaville, which is the general name for the 
northwest corner of Solano county, comprising about sixty-seven thousand 
acres. In this township is a valley and they call it Vaca, and Vaca valley, 
warm, rich vale of tree and vine, comes first to the stranger when he men- 
tally refers to the fruity output of California. Somebody tried to name this 
incomparable spot "Ulattis," but "Vaca" it would be, and is ; and the better 
title prevailed. After the Vaca and Pefia families came the Lyons, the Longs, 
the Hollingsworth, the Dollarhides — father and three sons — Edward Mc- 
Greary, John Fisk, Mason Wilson, J. G. Parks, W. R. Miller and W. A. Dunn. 
Vaca valley, five or six miles long and about two miles wide, between two 
ranges of high hills, extends northerly from the great Sacramento plain. In 
its two additions, the Pleasants and Lagoon valleys, is the wondrous fer- 
tility continued. For ages the alluvial accumulations from the bordering 
mountains have been deposited in these glens and in this rich soil all vege- 
tation springs to perfection. The first settler in Pleasants valley was J. M. 
Pleasants, who located there in 1851, and there in that beautiful vale, so 
fittingly named, the family has lived ever since. Among the orchards in these 
valleys are such names as Bassford, Buck, Kidd, Marshall, Smith, Scarlett 
and Elliott. 

Manuel Cabeza Vaca, in 1850, deeded to William McDaniel nine square 
miles of land, with the provision that on one of the square miles McDaniel 
would lay out a townsite and call the place Vacaville. The consideration was 



76 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Manuel Cabeza Vaca. 

$3,000 and several of the lots deeded back to Vaca. McDaniel set apart for 
M. C. Vaca two hundred lots and sold L. B. Mizner an undivided half of the 
tract, three English miles square. The town was surveyed by E. H. Rowe, 
and the first building of Vacaville was erected that j^ear by McDaniel. The 
second building was a small hotel kept by James McGuire, and the first 
store was run by E. F. Gillespie. This was the beginning of the beautiful 
town sitting on both sides of the Ulattis creek. In 1869 the Vaca Valley 
and Clear Lake Railway connected the town and township with the outside 
world. And the place has kept pace with the times. Costly buildings, public 
and private, adorn its streets, notably its noble Union high school, brick 
public school and public library. The population within the town limits is 
about fifteen hundred, though the valley in the vicinity is thickly populated. 
During the fruit season these populations increase out of all limits. 

Solano Statistics. 
Every cluster of figures for this year, 1912, shows a large increase over 
those of the last year. The assessed valuation of county taxable property is 
$21,000,808, distributed by Assessor E. E. Long as follows: 

Real estate, other than city and town lots $10,852,729 

Improvements on same 2,208,103 

City and town lots 2, 199.924 

Improvements on same 3,320,319 

Improvements on real estate assessed to other persons than 

owners 20,000 

Personal property 2,399,733 

The valuation of all kinds of property in incorporated cities and towns 
assessed by the county is as follows : 

Benicia $ 781,439 

Vacaville 497,963 

Rio Vista 296.105 

Fairfield '. 254,490 

Dixon 416,235 

Suisun _ 351,425 

Valleio : 3,837,674 

Total $6,435,333 

Other Valuations. 

Cattle, $208,405; hogs, $29,860; mules, $128,700; jacks, $5,950; horses, 
$670,800; sheep, $125,300; poultry, $7,500; machinery, $150,000; automobiles, 
$136,500; oil tanks, $5,000. 

Acreage of Grain, Etc. 

Wheat, 150,000; barley, 110,000; hay, 40,000; alfalfa, 12,000; oats, 6,000; 
corn, 500; beans, 300; grapes, 3,150. 

Number of Fruit Trees. 

Peaches, 560,000 ; prunes, 460,000 ; pears, 304,000 ; apricots, 236,800; plums, 
110,500; almonds, 110,000; cherries, 95,800; oranges. 8,000; apples, 6,500; figs, 
6,000; walnuts, 6,000; olives, 6,000; lemons, 3,000; limes, 300. 

Superintendent Dan H. White of the county schools in his annual report 
gives the number of high school pupils as 441 and of the elementary schools 
3,568; teachers in all schools, 142; receipts for high schools, $108,769.32; ele- 
mentary schools, $147,191.25; total, $255,960.57. Disbursements for high 
schools, $64,761.64; for elementary schools, $149,728.32; total, $214,489.96. 
High school property valuation, $84,968 ; elementary school property valuation, 
$243,260. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 77 



CHAPTER XXVII. 
NAVY YARD— MARE ISLAND. 

By J. 0. Hanscom. 

It was early found out, when the United States came into possession of 
what is now called California, that it would be necessary to have a station 
where ships could be repaired, instead of sending them east around Cape Horn 
for that purpose. After Mare Island had been selected the secretary of the 
navy entered into a contract with the firm of Dakin, Moody, Gilbert & Secor 
to build a sectional dock for the Pacific coast. A floating clock, consisting of 
twelve sections, was put together in New York, then taken apart and shipped 
to Mare Island to be erected at that station for ship repairing. 

In the agreement it was stated that the contractors could have use of the 
sections for making repairs on the mercantile ships as well as war vessels, 
until six months' notice after completion had been given that the government 
would resume full possession of the sectional dock. As soon as seven or eight 
sections had been completed the Dock Company (so called) commenced to 
repair ships of commerce. The first vessel was the steamer Pacific, belonging 
to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company. Many other vessels from time to 
time were placed on the dock. When the government was notified by the 
contractors that the dock was completed and the government made a test of 
the same by placing the U. S. Naval Frigate Independence on the dock, rais- 
ing her and letting her stay over night, then on acceptance the secretary of 
the navy gave the agreed six months' notice for taking the docks out of the 
hands of the contractors. In 1856 the firm turned over the docks, disposed of 
all material and tools on hand and the navy yard authorities were the sole 
occupants of the navy yard. 

Before the sectional dock was completed the United States government 
entered into a contract with the same firm that built the sectional dock to 
build a basin and railway for the purpose of taking vessels out upon the land 
whenever extensive repairs were needed, leaving the dock free to take up 
other vessels. This basin and railway were constructed under the superin- 
tendence of Isaiah Hanscom, afterwards of the navy. 

In March of 1856 the late Commodore Isaiah Hanscom was appointed 
the first naval constructor for the Mare Island Navy Yard. In 1860 he was 
ordered to the Kittery Yard, and after the Norfolk Navy Yard was retaken 
from the Southern Confederacy, Mr. Hanscom was sent there to reconstruct 
it, as an attempt had previously been made to destroy it. Later he was ordered 
to the Charlestown Navy Yard, from which station he was promoted to the 
position of chief constructor of the United States Navy, which position he held 
for nearly two terms and was then placed upon the retired list, having reached 
the age of sixty-two years. 

It was finally tested by filling the sloop-of-war Warren with stone, floating 
her on the sectional dock, moving dock and ship into the basin and then 
hauling the ship out on the mainland, where she laid on the railway three or 
four days, when she was again pushed on the dry dock, floated out in the 
stream and then lowered into the water to resume her position alongside of 
the Warren, a storeship, later on being sent down to the Isthmus of Panama, 
where her bones now lie. 

In the latter part of the '70s a stone dock was built to take the place of 
the sectional dock, which from age had become unsafe to lift seagoing vessels. 



78 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

This dock was built similar to the stone dock at the Norfolk Navy Yard. It 
was built under the immediate supervision of the late Civil Engineer Calvin 
Brown, a man of large experience in his line of industry. 

Later on another dry dock, still larger than the first stone dock, was built, 
capable of taking in the largest ship at present in contemplation of being built 
by the United States. Numerous troubles arose during the construction of 
the dock, and the original contractors were forced to give up their contract. 

From the early date in September, 1854, when Commander D. G. Far- 
ragut (later on captain) was sent to the Mare Island Navy Yard as command- 
ant, there has been a general progression in the way of efficiency. Quite 
often buildings, tools, etc., become obsolete and are dispensed with for later 
improvements. What is all right today is almost all wrong tomorrow. 

During the past three years there has been a tendency of the navy depart- 
ment to place its navy yards upon a mercantile basis, but improvements of 
this kind move slowly. The old-fashioned brick dwellings, under a plea of 
great damage by an earthquake, were demolished and wooden structures of 
modern design replaced them. 

Introduction of electricity at the navy yard has a history of its own and 
perhaps will be interesting for the future generations to read. About the first 
known use of electricity in the navy yard was when Captain Johnson, executive 
officer of the Mare Island Navy Yard, in the early '80s, purchased a clock run 
by electricity for his office in the brick office building located near the present 
flagpole. For some cause or other it stopped one day, and the captain could 
not induce it to move along, do what he would. He sent down to the steam 
engineering department for some good mechanic to make the necessary 
repairs. No one could be found who had any knowledge of electricity in 
the steam engineering department. Some one suggested that George E. 
Hanscom, who was learning the machinist trade in the construction depart- 
ment, and had made a little study of electricity, would be the right person 
to solve the difficulty. He was sent for, and upon making an examination 
immediately saw where the trouble was, but, like the venerable watchmaker, 
was shrewd enough to take his time about adjusting the works. However, he 
made the repair, which was of a very slight nature. The clock started on its 
daily run as if nothing had happened. This made the reputation of Hanscom, 
who was immediately called an electrical machinist. Admiral B. H. McCalla, 
the commandant of the station at that time, was favorable to electricity, and 
one day, sending for Hanscom to come to his office, asked if he could not 
put up a telephone from the yard gate to his. office with such old material as 
could be found in the yard, but not on charge, as the navy department at 
that time would not approve of the expenditure of a ten-cent piece for any- 
thing pertaining to the use of electricity. Young Hanscom took possession 
of some old wire rigging, found some old material which could be used for 
poles, and without assistance constructed a line from the commandant's office 
to the water's edge. He had to get his plant by picking up a little here and 
there, wherever it could be found. Finally a line was constructed serving 
nearly all of the necessities of the station. As time wore on, the navy de- 
partment began to learn something by experience. One day, some months 
after the above work had been performed to an extent as before stated, orders 
were sent to the commandant of the Mare Island Navy Yard to install a plant 
covering the ground of the work already done. It was the first authority 
given Mare Island to make use of electricity for various purposes. 

During the year 1911 the government detailed the U. S. S. Buffalo to 
carry electricians and other mechanics, under the direct command of Lieu- 
tenant E. H. Dodd, U. S. N., to go up north and arrange for wireless stations 
in and about the Behring sea. The result was that temporary stations were 
installed at Dutch harbor and at St. Paul's island (Prybiloff islands), in addi- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 79 

tion to the station on Kodiak island. Three stations are in thorough working 
order and connect up with the Sitka station every night. 

The government contemplates sending the same parties north again in 
1912 for the purpose of making the named stations permanent and installing 
plants accordingly. The whole Pacific coast of the United States now is cov- 
ered with wireless plants, which can be used in the daytime as well as by 
night. High aerials appear to have solved day operation of the wireless 
system for long distances. Very much of the success of the electrical system 
on the Pacific coast is due to the late Admiral B. H. McCalla, who was early 
interested in it and did all in his power to advance it. 

Immediately under George E. Hanscom's direction, all of the old works 
were placed one side and everything of a newer electrical type was installed, 
covering telephones to all offices and officers' quarters, even to the extreme 
south end of the island. As ships arrived at the station for repairs, electricity 
was installed on board for the various uses then known. Machine shops and 
foundries were erected in order that a large amount of the machinery, etc., 
required for the various stations might be made at the navy yard. Later on 
the success of Marconi as well as others in using high potentials of Tesla's 
discovery brought forward wireless telegraphy. Mr. Hanscom, on account 
of his experience and unvaried success in other branches of electric work, was 
given charge of the wireless department as the practical manager. Under his 
immediate supervision the following plants have been installed : Mare Island, 
Goat Island, the Farralones and, going south, a station at Point Arguello, 
and at about the extreme end of the United States' possessions, the last sta- 
tion, at Point Loma, several miles distant from San Diego. Going north of 
the Golden Gate, there is a station located at Table Bluff, another at North 
Head, in the state of Washington; another at Sitka, Alaska; another at or near 
Cordova, southwestern Alaska, and another at Kodiak Island (recently com- 
missioned). A station has also been located at Tatoosh Island, Oregon. There 
is every reason to believe that every one of the stations named will be in 
commission by September 1, 1912. It will give the United States government 
a wireless control of a good part of the Pacific ocean and will enable whalers 
to give notice of their whereabouts in the winter season. Various plants have 
been established at the navy yard for home manufacture of thousands of small 
articles now brought from abroad. The present wireless conditions on the 
Pacific coast are considered up-to-date and equal to any in any part of the 
world. From year to year new inventions are made and go into public use 
in a thousand different ways. The power is known to be unlimited. It is 
only necessary to know how to harness it and apply it in a shape to do the 
work required. 

Every year since the Mare Island Navy Yard was established there has 
been more or less improvement made in the plant. Better shops have been 
provided for to perform the work necessary to repair or build ships for the 
navy. Within the past two years the secretary of the navy has been making 
changes in the system of carrying on the work. It is the evident intention to 
eventually have the yard managed similar to a well-to-do private establishment 
of the ship-building order. The number of divisions has been cut down and 
labor is being performed to better satisfaction than heretofore. It has become 
necessary for the navy yard authorities to make a clean showing of the 
large amounts of money spent at the various stations. The Mare Island Navy 
Yard is forging to the front faster than any other in the way of doing more 
and having it cost less than any other navy yard on the Atlantic or Pacific. 
When the present contemplated improvements are completed it will give the 
authorities an opportunity to show that California mechanics can build as fast 
ships and at a cheaper cost than at any government station, either on the 
Atlantic or Pacific. A new power-house, designed to furnish power for all of 



80 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the manufacturing shops at the yard, is nearing completion. It will make an 
immense saving to the government when once in running order. 

Mare Island — Its Name. 
\ There have been several claimants to Mare Island, as the following, taken 
from the records of the county at Fairfield, will show how the title has been 
attacked at different times : 

"In the year 1849 one V. Castro agreed to sell Mare Island to M. G. 
Vallejo. In 1859 V. Castro entered into a contract with M. L. Chase as agent 
for the Mexican government to dispose of Mare Island, and in 1857 V. Castro 
deeded an undivided one-half to J. I. Stockman. In 1852 J. P. Turner filed his 
possessory claim for 160 acres located on Mare Island. In 1852 L. B. Harkness 
filed his possessory claim for 160 acres on the island. In 1856 the sheriff closed 
out the interest of Harkness under execution to W. H. R. Wood. In the year 
1857 R. Miller filed a lien on Mare Island, making J. D .Myers defendant, for 
services rendered for boring artesian wells. In 1870 J. W. Geory brought 
suit against H. Halleck, J. R. Bolton and F. Billings for an undivided 67-80th 
interest in Mare Island." i\ 

Late generations have questioned the name given to the island upon which 
the navy yard is located. Although several solutions have been given, we 
are inclined to believe the following as the true version. It was narrated by 
Dr. P. M. G. Vallejo, a son of the late General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, 
after whom the city of Vallejo was named. We read as follows : "In the 
early days the only boat for ferry purposes on the water near Vallejo and 
Benicia was a rude one, made chiefly of oil barrels obtained from whaling 
ships and propelled by sails. These barrels were secured together by beams 
and planking and it was divided into compartments for the accommodation 
of cattle, to the transportation of which it was chiefly devoted. One day while 
the ferry-boat was crossing from Martinez to Benicia, a sudden squall over- 
took it and the craft pitched fearfully about, and the animals (chiefly horses) 
became restive and some of them broke through the partitions and the boat 
upset, causing the living cargo to be thrown into the bay. Naturally, some 
of the live-stock was drowned and some managed to reach either shore by 
swimming. One of the horses (an old white mare owned and highly prized 
by General Vallejo) succeeded in effecting a landing on the island and was 
rescued from there a few days afterwards by the general, who thereupon called 
the place 'Isla de la Yegua,' or Mare Island." 

It lies in the San Pablo bay, at the mouth of Carquinez straits, and com- 
prises about 900 acres of land. Some time in the early '40s it appears that 
one Victor Castro obtained permission to herd his horses upon this island, 
and in 1846 Castro received from Governor Alvarado a deed absolutely con- 
veying the property to him and the title to the island. 

Among the first settlers on the island were William Bryant and Major 
Stephen Cooper. Later a number of others laid claim to the island, but their 
squatter title was of no value. Later they were all ordered away by the 
officers of the United States government, and the latter has remained in sole 
possession ever since. 

It was not long after California became practically a part of the United 
States, when Commodore John D. Sloat of the navy, who assisted in the 
capture of the country, saw the necessity of having some place where the 
government ships could be repaired, and thus save a long trip around Cape 
Horn, and to one of the navy yards on the Atlantic coast. The attention of the 
navy department at Washington was called to the fact, and on December 
13, 1852, Hon. John P. Kennedy, at that time secretary of the navy, appointed 
a commission for the purpose of selecting a spot desirable for the location of 
a navy yard. The following-named gentlemen were selected to perform the 
duty : Commodore John D. Sloat, Commander W. S. Ogden, Lieutenant I. F. 
Blount and Civil Engineer W. S. Sanger. This commission, of all the various 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 81 

points about San Francisco and the inland bays, decided upon Mare Island as 
being the most advantageous, and their report was duly forwarded to the 
secretary of the navy. 

Quoting from the commission's report, we read as follows : "We have 
the honor to state the island, including the tule opposite Vallejo, contains 
about 900 acres, in addition to a large tract of tule extending towards Napa 
and Sonoma. There is ample space for all the buildings required for a navy 
yard, with good anchorage for ships of war. We consider it the most eligible 
location near San Francisco." 

| On December 10, 1853, Secretary of the Navy John P. Kennedy forwarded 
a letter to W. H. Davidge, agent of W. H. Aspenwall, in relation to the pur- 
chase of Mare Island, and this letter formed, to a certain extent, an agree- 
ment between two parties for the purchase of Mare Island. A portion of this 
agreement reads 'as follows: "The United States shall agree to allow a con- 
venient ferry for intercourse and make a reservation of such land as the United 
States government may find convenient for ferry purposes, but the ferry to be 
so far under the control of the government as to compel the removal to any 
part of the public property which may be designated by the navy department 
for its own convenience or advantage. It also reserves the right to forbid 
any communication between Mare Island and the mainland." The bill of sale 
includes "all the tule or lowland and marsh belonging to the same, or which 
has ever been reputed or claimed to belong to the same." The expenses of the 
commission were $11,508, which was paid out of $100,000 appropriated for the 
purpose by Congress on January 4, 1853. The sum of $83,491 was paid by the 
United States government on account of the purchase of the island. The 
owners, who deeded the property to the government, were George W. P. 
Bissell of San Francisco, who owned 466-640 ; W. H. Aspenwall, who owned 
124-640, and Mary S. McArthur of Baltimore, who held 40-640. 

In 1853 the United States government entered into a contract with Dakin, 
Moody, Gilbert & Secor of New York to build a basin and railway for the 
Mare Island Navy Yard at a cost of $840,000, for the purpose of taking ships 
out on the mainland and repairing them while the sectional docks were being 
used to raise vessels and make quick repairs on the dry docks. ^Previous to 
entering into the building of the basin and railway the government had con- 
tracted with the same firm to build a dry dock of ten sections. This dock was 
built in New York and then taken apart and freighted around the Horn and 
unloaded on Mare Island and reconstructed. 

Vessels loaded with this material began to arrive at Mare Island in 
September, 1852. With the material also came some workmen and superin- 
tendents. J. T. Dean was in charge with Darius Peckham as foreman me- 
chanic. Among the mechanics who came out from the east to erect the dock 
was John Callender. When these people first landed they found a solitary 
inhabitant, whose name was Griffin. He was familiarly known as "Pop" 
Griffin, and was of the western type of frontiersman. He was given employ- 
ment as a hunter by the dry dock company, and stayed in the same employ 
until the island became a navy yard, when all of the workmen were ordered 
to move across the channel to Vallejo. 

The vessels which brought out the dry dock were named the Empire, 
Queen of the East, Defiance and California Packet. 

The work of rebuilding the sectional dock was commenced in the latter 
part of 1852 and continued until 1855, when it was tested by the docking of 
the razee frigate Independence, this vessel, commanded by Captain Josiah 
G. Tatnall. having been ordered to the yard for that purpose. 

On July 29, 1854, the late Chief Naval Constructor Isaiah Hanscom 
assumed the superintendency of the dry dock company's work, completing the 
sectional dry dock and the building of the new basin and railway. From sound- 

r *■ 



82 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ings made by the writer there was forty-two feet of water at high tide directly 
in front of the outer line of the last new dock built at the navy yard. Up to 
that time there were no obstructions on the island water front, and the water 
was clear enough to see the bottom of the river where it was covered by more 
than twenty feet of water. 

About September 10 Captain (he did not have that rank at that -date) 
D. G. Farragut arrived, with his wife, son and private secretary, Paul Loyall. 
at the island, accompanied by Colonel Daniel Turner, formerly a member of 
Congress from the state of North Carolina, who had been appointed a civil 
engineer for the navy yard, and with him were two daughters, Misses Alice 
and Helen. These ladies were afterwards married — Miss Alice to Dr. John 
M. Browne and Miss Helen to Dr. John Messersmith, both officers of the 
United States Navy. 

As there was but one good dwelling house on Mare Island at that time, 
and that occupied by the agents' of the U. S. Dry Dock Company, when Captain 
Farragut arrived with his family and Mr. Turner and his daughters, they 
were given, for a few days, room and lodgings with Messrs. Secor and Plans- 
com. That building is now located on the north side of the office building, 
which is located north of the flagpole. 

Captain Farragut immediately ordered the storeship Warren brought up 
from Sausalito, where the United States government had kept their stores for 
war vessels since the occupation of California. This ship was commanded 
by Lieutenant David McDougall, afterwards admiral. As soon as she arrived 
at the yard her main cabin was fitted up for the accommodation of the com- 
•mandant of the station, the civil engineer and their families. The wardroom 
was used by the officers of the vessel and some of the clerks which Captain 
Farragut had given positions to. On September 16 the flag of the com- 
mandant was raised on the Warren and later transferred to a new flagpole, 
where it stands today. 

The first officers to hold positions at the navy yard at its organization 
were: D. G. Farragut, captain and commandant; Thomas G. Corbin. lieu- 
tenant and executive officer ; Daniel Turner, civil engineer ; Abraham Powell, 
Jr., master carpenter and joiner; Robert S. King, master blacksmith; James 
Warner, master mason. 

It was late in the fall when grading for the foundation of the new brick 
blacksmith shop was commenced. Quite a large amount of earth was re- 
moved, and it was not until March 24 (Saturday) that the first brick was laid 
for this, the first permanent building erected on Mare Island. The building 
was completed the following October. In the meantime the new basin and 
railway were being built and the dry dock company was using the partially 
completed sectional dock for the purpose of repairing vessels of the merchant 
marine as well as such government ships as were in need of repairs. The first 
vessel to be raised on the section, after enough had been completed to do 
the work, was the merchant ocean steamer Uncle Sam. Following her, from 
time to time, all of the ocean steamers plying on the Pacific ocean were placed 
upon this dock and necessary repairs were made. The dock was finally tested 
on Monday, December 10, 1855. The vessel having been duly centered and 
located on the dock, the pumps were started at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and 
at 40 minutes past 3 the big ship was all out of water, ready for repairs. On 
the next day (Tuesday) the dock was lowered and the Independence was put 
afloat again just as the announcement of the noon hour was made. The board 
reported the success of the trial at Washington. Finishing touches were put 
upon the different sections and the United States government gave a six 
months' notice to the contractors for the turning of the dock over to the navy 
yard authorities. It was a stipulation in the contract with the government 
that the contractors should have the use of the dock until six months' notice 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 83 

had been given by the government. In the meantime the dock was used for 
the benefit of the merchant marine of the Pacific ocean. 

Captain Farragut, on assuming command of the station, immediately ap- 
pointed James Logan, late of Vallejo, as a watchman for the yard. A large 
wooden storehouse was immediately built, a little north of the present ferry- 
house. Work was commenced on a small house for the commandant and was 
also used as an office until more permanent buildings were erected. 

h The only parties who made any claim to Mare Island when Captain 1 
Farragut landed on the territory was old "Pop" Griffin, a Mr. Turner and a 
French-Canadian with his family. Amicable arrangements were made with 
these people and no trouble of any moment was had afterwards with squatters, ts 

During the latter part of the year and in the spring following, a consid- 
erable work was performed under the direction of the commandant in the 
way of preparing foundations for permanent shops and dwelling houses. The 
latter were after the style of- those which had been built at the Norfolk Navy 
Yard, and not at all adapted to the California climate. In later years, when 
the residences had been pretty well shaken by an earthquake, the brick build- 
ings were taken down and more suitable ones erected in place of them. 

Communication, with San Francisco at this time was somewhat limited. 
A small stern-wheel steamer (about fifty feet long) ran from Napa City to 
San Francisco, touching at Vallejo and the navy yard one day and returning 
the next. The fare was $2.50 each way. By taking a private team one could 
go to Benicia and catch the Sacramento or Stockton boat and make the trip 
daily. 

Among the foremen of laborers (most of the early work was of that class) 
were Phillip R. Fendall, late colonel of the Marine Corps; Jordan G. Gardner, 
son of the late Admiral Gardner, and Samuel Barron, son of Commodore 
Barron. Young Barron was on board the Florida of the Confederate service 
when she was cut out of Rio Janeiro by Captain Napoleon Collins, U. S. N., 
second executive officer of the yard under Farragut. Barron happened to be 
on shore when the vessel was captured and he escaped being taken. Pendle- 
ton Colston, a son of the district attorney of Washington, D. C, was the first 
clerk of the yard and called the roll from a small building located alongside 
of the present flagpole, south of the office building. There were also two 
young men by the name of Dunlap — nephews of Captain David McDougall, 
who were given positions under the commandant. John R. Bird, afterwards 
lost on the steamer Golden Gate near Manzanillo, which was destroyed by fire 
on July 27, 1862, fifteen miles from Manzanillo, on the Mexican coast, and 
four miles off shore, was one of the well-known foremen. 

In 1855 Colonel D. Turner, the civil engineer of the station, was allowed 
an assistant, and John Williston was appointed to the position. He performed 
the principal part of the engineering work for a number of years and caused 
to be erected the first sun dial to be used at the navy yard. It was placed on a 
spot east of the present office building near the flagstaff. The sea-wall north 
of the ferry landing was built under his direction. 

In the fall of 1855 some of the officers' quarters were completed and were 
occupied by the officers who were on duty at the navy yard. Jesse Sawyer 
was appointed navy storekeeper and relieved the writer, who had been tempo- 
rarily appointed to the position by Captain Farragut. 

The social event of the season happened when at the latter end of the year 
the agents of the dry dock company gave a grand banquet on the final testing 
of the sectional docks. The building known as the new blacksmith shop was 
utilized for the purpose. All of the navy and army officers far and near, as 
well as prominent persons of San Francisco, Sacramento and Vallejo, took 
part in the festivities of the occasion. 

In March, 1856, the late Chief Naval Constructor Isaiah Hanscom was 
appointed as naval constructor and assigned to the Mare Island Navy Yard, I 



84 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

being the first officer of that class on the Pacific coast. In 1858 he built the 
U. S. S. Saginaw, the first war vessel to be constructed on the Pacific coast 
by the United States government. 

In 1895 an earthquake shook the buildings in the navy yard to such a 
degree that the government decided to tear down all of the brick dwellings 
and in place of them erect new wooden buildings of modern design for officers' 
quarters, and such buildings were erected at an expense of $100,000. Gardens 
were laid out around them and today these residences are not excelled any- 
where in California for their beautiful surroundings, except in very rare cases. 

In relation to the water supply of the navy yard, while at present the 
station is bountifully supplied by the city of Vallejo from the large reservoir 
near Cordelia, about fourteen miles northeast of the city, in earlier days it 
was different. When the yard was first established, in 1854, there were two 
wells from which those living on the island were supplied. A third well, or 
spring, supplied water for stock and for purposes other than domestic. The 
best well, which furnished good drinking water sufficient for two or three 
hundred people, was situated where the southwest corner of the first large 
blacksmith shop now stands. The other well, which furnished a pretty good 
quantity of water, although slightly brackish, answered a great many purposes. 
There also was a spring situated on the west side of the island and down 
towards the southern end, which supplied considerable water for all purposes 
except drinking. It was somewhat brackish. 

At the present time there are a number of large cisterns for holding rain 
water to be used in case of emergency for domestic purposes. As it falls on 
slate roofs, in most cases, with the aid of some charcoal, it is good for human 
consumption. 

List of Commandants of Mare Island Navy Yard from September, 1854. 

Commander David G. Farragut, from September 16, 1854, to July 16, 1858. 
Captain R. B. Cunningham, from July 16, 1858, to March 13, 1861. 
Captain David McDougall, from March 13, 1861, to June 5, 1861. 
Captain W. H. Gardner, from June 5, 1861, to May 27, 1862. 
Captain Thomas O. Self ridge, from May 27, 1862, to October 17, 1864. 
Captain David McDougall, from October 17, 1864, to September 5, 1866. 
Commodore Thomas S. Craven, from September 5, 1866, to August 1, 1868. 
Commodore James Alden, from August 1, 1868, to March 17, 1869. 
Captain Reed Werden, from March 17, 1869, to April 15, 1869. 
Rear-Admiral Thomas S. Craven, from April 16, 1869, to January 1, 1870. 
Commodore John R. Goldsborough, from January 1, 1870, to April 15, 1871. 
Commodore E. J. Parrott, from April 15, 1871, to September 3, 1872. 
Rear-Admiral Thomas O. Self ridge, from September 3, 1872, to July 3, 1873. 
Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, from July 3, 1873, to April 17, 1877. 
Commodore E. R. Colhoun, from April 17, 1877, to January 15, 1881. 
Commodore Thomas S. Phelps, from January 15, 1881, to March 15, 1883. 
Captain John Irwin, from March 15, 1883, to November 8, 1883. 
Commodore John H. Russell, from November 8, 1883, to May 31, 1886. 
Captain F. V. McNair, from May 31, 1886, to June 15, 1886. 
Rear-Admiral George E. Belknap, from June 15, 1886, to March 9, 1889. 
Commander Louis Kempff, from March 9, 1889, to April 4, 1889. 
Rear-Admiral A. E. R. Benham, from April 4, 1889, to June 8, 1891. 
Rear-Admiral John Irwin, from June 8, 1891, to May 6, 1893. 
Captain Henry L. Howison, from May 6, 1893, to July 17, 1893. 
Captain Henry L. Howison, from July 17, 1893, to June 1, 1896. 
Rear-Admiral W. A. Kirkland, from June 1, 1896, to August 12, 1898. 
Commander J. J. Brice, from August 12, 1898, to October 5, 1898. 
Captain C. S. Cotton, from October 5, 1898, to October 8, 1898. 
Commodore J. C. Watson, from October 8, 1898, to May 15, 1899. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 85 

Rear-Admiral Louis Kempff, from May 15, 1899, to March 29, 1900. 
CaDtain Merrill Miller, from March 29, 1900, to July 11, 1900. 
Rear-Admiral Merrill Miller, from July 11, 1900, to July 11, 1903. 
Rear-Admiral Bowman H. McCalla, from July 11, 1903, to June 19, 1906. 
Captain Alex. McCrackin, from June 19, 1906, to July 4, 1906. 
Rear-Admiral Henry W. Lyon, from July 4, 1906, to October 12, 1907. 
Captain Thomas S. Phelps, Jr., from October 12, 1907, to July 24, 1909. 
Rear-Admiral Hugo Osterhaus, from March 25, 1910. to (presumably) 
May 15, 1911. 

Captain Henry Thomas Mayo, from January 19, 1911. 

The Navy Yard of Today. 

The Mare Island Navy Yard has had a hard struggle for existence in its 
present location ever since the day of its birth. An attempt, the first one, 
was made to have the station removed to Benicia. Failing in that purpose, 
there had, seemingly, been a premeditated conspiracy to have the yard 
removed to the near vicinity of San. Francisco. The refusal of the captain 
of one of the government war ships to come to Mare Island from San Fran- 
cisco unless directly ordered to do so by the navy department (for the reason 
stated as fear of the vessels getting aground on account of the shoaling of 
the channel way) was the entering wedge upon which interested parties 
worked to make a change in the situation, even up to about 1911. 

Building of dykes for the purpose of contracting the Napa river and Car- 
quinez straits, thus making a swifter current to wash out the debris and 
make a deeper channel, solved the problem of having sufficient depth of water 
for any ship the government had on hand or might be built in the future and 
settled all knocking of removal. 

The honorable secretary of the navy, George von L. Meyer, after a special 
inspection of the station, arrived at the conclusion that there could be no 
better situation of a site for a navy yard than Mare Island, and at the present 
writing there are not any evidences that any further attempts will be made 
to change the present situation. Furthermore, that appropriations will be made 
yearly by Congress to bring the Mare Island Navy Yard up to a standard not 
surpassed by any naval station in the world. 

For many years the progress of the navy yard was hampered in other 
ways than by specially interested parties. Changes of administration, until 
the civil service law went into effect, would cause the discharge of one set 
of men not favorable to the administration and the employment of those who 
were favorable caused an unsettled state of affairs necessarily to the disad- 
vantage of .performing work on the yard. Experienced men went out and 
inexoerienced ones came in. No private enterprise could have ever been 
made a sucecss with these conditions. 

When men commenced being employed under the civil service law on 
account of merit, then a stability commenced to be established and the reports 

from the yard began to be favorable. 

While merit was intended to be the great factor in the employment of 
the clerical and mechanical force, at first it was weak, but kept getting stronger 
and stronger until now the working department compares favorably with any 
private establishment in the United States or elsewhere. 

A strong prejudice had grown up in the east against California on account 
of what was supposed to be the extravagant cost of all work performed on the 
Pacific coast. This made it hard to obtain the job of building vessels at the 
yard. After a very determined effort of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, 
the navy department was induced to build a war ship in a navy yard, and the 
New York yard was selected to build the vessel. Following this tirade, a 
collier was given to the Mare Island yard to see what could be done on the 



86 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Pacific coast. The outcome proved that work of this kind could be done 
at this yard as economically as anywhere else. Now, on the strength of that 
effort, a larger vessel, also to be used as a collier, has been ordered to be 
built here, and there is no doubt at all that the result will be the building of a 
cruiser here. 

The present design of the government is to have two large navy yards 
on the Pacific coast — one at Mare Island and one at Bremerton, Washington. 
The plant here is from time to time being made as efficient as a naval station 
can be. It will tend to keep a large number of first-class mechanics at all 
times ready to push work very speedily whenever the occasion may require. 

Concentration is the order of the day and many improvements have 
already been made on the yard in this direction. All the power necessary 
for running the various mechanical departments is about to be generated in 
one large building just completed for the purpose. Power will be carried all 
over the yard by electric wires, and instead of half a dozen power shops, one 
only will do all the work, consequently making a great saving and also adding 
efficiency. Other branches of work in the yard are being likewise concen- 
trated and it will not be long before the yard will be on the same basis as any 
of the large mechanical works carried on by private enterprise and corre- 
spondingly saving labor and time. 

The present secretary of the navy, George von L. Meyer, has a hercu- 
lean task on his hands to thoroughly reconstruct the whole navy department, 
and he is making good as fast as it is possible to do so. A commencement was 
made at the Mare Island Navy Yard, and its good effects already shown will 
appear to still greater advantage later on. 

The Mare Island Navy Yard, situated on a large island of what will 
eventually comprise about one thousand acres, is the finest site for the purpose 
that the United States government owns and cannot help being the pride of 
the nation. 

It appears that the officials detailed for charge of the various depart- 
ments are changed too often. They get fairly in harness when they are 
detached and sent away to perform other duties, and new officers, not fully 
acquainted with the duties to be performed, are placed in charge. It is 
natural that the ideas of the new will be different from those of the old, and 
this cannot help being a disadvantage to the government. This may be 
remedied in time. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 
VALLEJO. 

The city of Vallejo, named for General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, was 
practically a wide field of wild cattle and horses up to the time gold was 
first discovered in California, and immigrants began to flock to this portion 
of the Pacific coast from all parts of the world. The virgin production was 
mostly Avild oats, upon which the animals subsisted. Occasionally wandering 
tribes of Indians would locate here and there temporarily and use, for sub- 
sistence, the wild cattle and such wild game as would find something to feed 
upon. 

When the Argonauts traveled up the river from San Francisco to either 
the northern or southern mines, many a man cast his eyes over the large ex- 
panse of land, without ever having a wish to own a foot of it. There was 
too much vacancy of inhabitation to make it desirable, but when the state 
capital was in its infancy, and a prominent location was desired for it, there 
were plenty of designing people who easily came to the conclusion that what 
is now called Vallejo would be a good location for a state capital on account of 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 87 

its geographical position in the state which was about being formed. General 
Vallejo, the owner, was consulted and an agreement was entered into by which 
General Vallejo was to tender the land to the state authorities, with certain 
propositions concerning the building of a state-house and other necessary- 
buildings. In this way Vallejo began to assume a position on the map, and in 
this manner its birthday happened. It seemed to be necessary to open the 
session of the coming legislature with a grand flourish, and in consequence 
the following general invitation was sent out : 

A grand Christmas ball will be given at Vallejo on the evening of the 
25th instant, in the senate and assembly chambers of the new state capitol, 
on which occasion the Hon. Isaac E. Holmes will address the ladies and gen- 
tlemen at 7:30 o'clock. 

M , the pleasure of your company is respect- 
fully requested. 

Managers. — Hon. Isaac E. Holmes, Gen. P. A. Morse, Hon. T. Butler 
King, Hon. L. M. Boggs, Hon. William Smith, Hon. Martin Cook, Hon. Robert 
Hopkins, Hon. Daniel Fisk, Hon. E. Heydenfeldt, Hon. B. F. Keene, Hon. 
George Walton, Hon. James Walsh, Hon. W. H. Lyons, Hon. J. C. Fremont, 
Hon. P. W. Keyser, Hon. James Hudspeth, Hon. James Law, Hon. G. D. 
Hall, Hon. A. J. Cost, Hon. N. Smith, Hon. James F. Graham, Hon. Tames F. 
Burt, Hon. J. B. Weller, Hon. T. J. Henley, Gen. M. G. Vallejo, Gen. D. F. 
Douglass. Gen. John E. Addison, Gen. A. M. Winn, Gen. S. M. Miles, Gen. 

D. P. Baldwin, Gen. Richardson, Gen. Thomas J. Green, Gen. A. McDowell, 
Gen. G. F. Rains; Majors P. B. Reading, S. Cooper, George Wyatt Loring, 
U. S. A.; E. H. Fitzgerald, N. Davis, U. S. A.; William McDaniel, Robert 
Allen, F. A. Sawyer, Col. J. Hooker, U. S. A.; Gens. J. M. Estell and A. S. 
Booker; Captains Folsom, U. S. A.; John A. Sutter, H. Riddell, J. B. Frisbie, 
Steel, U. S. A.; Dr. Dyerlie, U. S. A.; Lieut. G. Page, U. S. A.; Capts. J. 
Watkins, P. M. S. Co. ; Randall, P. M. S. Co. ; Totten, P. M. S. Co. ; Walsh, 
P. M. S. Co.; Cols. John C. Hays, William Smith, H. Clay Mudd, J. B. Starr; 
Capts. C. Hyatt, George Yount, Sam Graham, William McMickle, E. Barry, 
J. W. Hulbert, S. Smith, Thomas Hunt, Col. R. Rust, Harvey Sparks, H. Lee, 
Hon. J. C. Winston, F. C. Ewer, Judge M. Lewis, L. P. Walker, M. T. Mc- 
Leland, Judge Stark, Judge Kilbourn, M. Combs, William Baldridge, George 
M. Cornwell, J. D. Bristol, J. S. Cripps, J. O. Farrell, E. L. Stetson, F. Vas- 
sault. J. E. Lawrence, L. B. Mizner, T. J. Harnes, S. Barnum, James Cooper, 
L. 0. Wilbur, E. F. Willison, John Nugent, Samuel Martin, Col. John R. 
Boyd, Dr. Robert Semple, Dr. Morse, B. F. Osborne, Capt. F. Marryatt, Capt. 
W. A. Howard, U. S. R. S. ; George N. Shaw, Dr. P. C. Pope, Cols. J. C. John- 
son, A. M. Latham, C. K. Fish, Stewart Perry, Dr. Pickering, Dr. Nicholas 
Parr, Hon. P. Tompkins, Major John Caperton, Col. J. Long, E. C. Kemble, 
F. Argenti, Charles R. Strode, Richard Maupin, Dr. Levi Frisbie, S. C. Mas- 
sett, Major Burney, Dr. Archibald Tennant, Richard Barry, J. L. L. F. Warren, 
T. K. Batelle, Col. Gregory Yale, E. G. Austin, F. R. Loomis, W. F. Kelsey, 

E. M. Hayes, L. D. Slamm, U. S. N. ; Aug. Case, J. Alden, S. R. Knox, G. W. 
Hammersley, Lieuts. T. H. Stevens, L. Maynard, T. B. King, Jr., William H. 
Davis, U. S. N. ; Hon. S. E. Woodworth, R. H. Taylor, Capts. A. Bartol, Doug- 
lass Ottinger, U. S. R. S. ; Col. George McDougal ; Capts. W. D. M. Howard, 
C. G. ; N. H. Wise, Henry F. Joseph, J. H. Redington, Dr. Hitchcock, U. S. A. ; 
Hon. H. Fitzsimmons, James Hubbard, Theodore Payne, William H. Talmage, 
Dr. H. M. Gray, Hon. P. A. Morse, Charles L. Case and Joseph C. Palmer. On 
the reverse side of the card the names of the committees were printed, as 
under : 

Red Rose — Committee of Arrangements : Capt. John Frisbie, Major 
Robert Allen, Gen. T. J. Green, Capt. Edward Barry, Major Wvatt, C. H. 
Veeder, F. Argenti, H. Clay Mudd. 



88 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Blue Rose — Committee of Reception : Hon. Isaac E. Holmes, Hon. John 
B. Weller. T. Butler King, Capt. J. Alden, U. S. N. ; Col. J. Hooker, U. S. A.; 
Hon. B. F. Keene, Major F. A.- Sawyer, Capt. G. W. Hammersley, U. S. N. ; 
Col. E. J. C. Kewen, Hon. Tod Robinson. 

White Rose — Ballroom Committee : For Senate Chamber — Gen. S. M. 
Miles, Gen. J. E. Addison, Col. Hervey Sparks, Levi D. Slamm, U. S. N. For 
Assembly Room — Dr. Dierly, U. S. N. ; Capt. F. Marryatt, Dr. L. Frisbie and 
E. L. Stetson. 

On April 3, 1850, General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo submitted a memo- 
rial to the state senate, in which he pointed out the advantages the town of 
Vallejo possessed over other places in the state for the location of a capitol. 
He proposed to grant twenty acres of land, free of cost, to the state for a 
capitol building and grounds, and one hundred and thirty-six acres in addi- 
tion for other state buildings, to be apportioned as follows : 

Ten acres for the governor's house and grounds. Five acres for the offices 
of treasurer, comptroller, secretary of state, surveyor-general and attorney- 
general, should the commissioners determine that their offices should not be in 
the capitol building. One acre to state library and translator's office, should 
it be determined to separate them from the state-house building. Twenty 
acres for an orphan asylum. Ten acres for a male charity hospital. Ten 
acres for a female charity hospital. Four acres for an asylum for the blind. 
For acres for a deaf and dumb asylum. Twenty acres for a lunatic asylum. 
Eight acres for four common schools. Twenty acres for a state university. 
Four acres for a state botanical garden. Twenty acres for a state peniten- 
tiary. But with a munificence casting this already long list of grants into the 
shade, he further proposed to donate and pay over to the state, within two 
years after the acceptance of these propositions, the gigantic sum of $370,000, 
to be apportioned as under : 

For the building of a state capitol $125,000 

For furnishing the same 10,000 

For building of the governor's house 10,000 

For furnishing of the same 5,000 

For a state library and translator's office 5,000 

For a state library 5 ,000 

For the building of the offices of the secretary of state, comp- 
troller, attorney-general, surveyor-general and treasurer, 
should the commissioners deem it proper to separate 

them from the state-house 20,000 

For the building of an orphan asylum 20,000 

For the building of a female charity hospital 20,000 

For the building a male charity hospital 20,000 

For the building of an asylum for the blind 20,000 

For the building of a deaf and dumb asylum 20,000 

For the building of a state university 20,000 

For university library 5,000 

For scientific apparatus therefor 5,000 

For chemical laboratory therefor 3,000 

For a mineral cabinet therefor 3,000 

For the building of four common school edifices 10,000 

For purchasing books for the same 1,000 

For the building of a lunatic asylum 20,000 

For a state penitentiary 20,000 

For a state botanical collection 3,000 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 89 

Among the reasons given for selecting this place for the capitol are the 
following: 

"That it is the true center of the state, the true center of commerce ; the 
true center of travel ; that while the bay of San Francisco is acknowledged to be 
the first on earth, in point of extent and navigable capacities, already, through- 
out the length and breadth of the wide world, it is acknowledged to be the 
very center between Asiatic and European commerce. The largest ship 
that sails upon the broad sea can, within three hours, anchor at the wharves 
of the place which your memorialist proposes as your permanent seat of 
government. From this point, by steam navigation, there is a greater aggre- 
gate of mineral wealth, within eight hours' steaming, than exists in the Union 
besides; from this point the great north and south rivers — San Joaquin and 
Sacramento — cut the state longitudinally through the center, fringing the 
immense gold deposits on the one hand and untold mercury and other min- 
eral resources on the other; from this point steam navigation extends along 
the Pacific coast south to San Diego and north to the Oregon line, affording 
the quickest possible facilities for our sea-coast population to reach the state 
capitol in the fewest number of hours. This age, as it has been truly re- 
marked, has merged distance into time. In the operations of commerce and 
the intercourse of mankind, to measure miles by the rod is a piece of vandalism 
of a bygone age ; and that point which can be approached from all parts of the 
state in the fewest number of hours and at the cheapest cost is the truest 
center. 

''Your memorialist most respectfully submits to your honorable body 
whether there is not a ground of even still higher nationality; it is this: 
That at present, throughout the wide extent of our sister Atlantic states, but 
one sentiment seems to possess the entire people, and that is, to build, in the 
shortest possible time, a railroad from the Mississippi to the Bay of San 
Francisco, where its western terminus may meet a three weeks' steamer from 
China. Indeed, such is the overwhelming public sentiment of the American 
people upon this subject, there is but little doubt to apprehend of its early 
completion. Shall it be said, then, while the world is coveting our posses- 
sion of what all acknowledge to be the half-way house of the earth's com- 
merce — the great Bay of San Francisco — that the people of the rich possession 
are so unmindful of its value as not to ornament her magnificent snores with 
a capitol worthy of a great state? 

"To enumerate more especially the local advantages of this position, your 
memorialist will further add, that it is within two hours' steaming of San 
Francisco, and six hours from Sacramento and Stockton cities, and between 
these points much the largest travel in the state daily occurs. From this 
point three days' steaming will reach either Oregon on the north or San Diego 
on the south ; besides, the above named location is unsurpassed for abundance 
of lime and other building materials, with large agricultural advantages in 
the immediate neighborhood." 

In a report submitted to the senate by a special committee of the senate, 
we find as follows : "Your committee cannot dwell with too much warmth 
upon the magnificent propositions contained in the memorial of General 
Vallejo. They breathe throughout the spirit of an enlarged mind and a 
sincere public benefactor, for which he deserves the thanks of his country- 
men and the admiration of the world. Such a proposition looks more like 
the legacy of a mighty emperor to his people than the free donation of a 
private planter to a great state, yet poor in public finance, but soon to be among 
the first of the earth." 

On Tuesday, February 4, 1851, the senate having acted upon the com- 
mittee's report, which had been submitted by Hon. D. C. Broderick, Governor 
Peter H. Burnett sent a message to the senate that he had on that day signed 



90 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



an act originating in the senate entitled "An act for the permanent location 
of the seat of government." In the meantime General Vallejo's bond had 
been accepted, his solvency was approved by a committee appointed by the 
senate, the report of the commissioners appointed to mark and lay out the 
tracts of land proposed to be donated by General Vallejo was adopted, and on 
May 1, 1852, bringing with it the concomitant influx of settlers, the capitol 
was erected on a piece of ground situated on what now is called York and 
Maine, facing Sacramento street. It was a two-story building, in the upper 
one of which sat the senate, the lower one the assembly, while in the base- 
ment was a saloon and ten-pin alley, which rejoiced in the nickname of the 
Third House. The office of the secretary of state stood on Main street, above 
Sacramento, but it was afterwards removed to Georgia street, south side, 
between Sacramento and Marin streets. This office was built of material 
brought from Honolulu. 

Sacramento was not satisfied with having the capital located at Vallejo, 
and immediately commenced a fight to have it removed to that city. When 
it came to a vote, the Sacramento bill was defeated through the efforts of 
Hon. Paul K. Hubbs and some of his friends. Sacramento did not submit 
quietly, but managed a couple of days afterward to have a reconsideration of 
the bill, and then the capital was removed to Sacramento. March 7, 1852, a 
flood occurred at Sacramento and on May 4, 1852, the legislature at Sacramento 
agreed to meet in the following January (1853) at Vallejo. As soon as the 
legislature convened in 1853, Sacramento, which did not have the courage to 
again ask to have the capital at that city, joined Benicia, and the capital was 
once more moved, this time to Benicia. The last sitting of the legislature in 
Vallejo was on February 4, 1853, only seventeen voting in favor and six 
against the proposition. 

Previous to 1850 there was no founding of a settlement upon the site 
where Vallejo now stands. In 1850 at least one iron building was erected on 
Maine street, all other buildings being erected during the short stay of the 
capital. The iron building was made use of in the latter part of 1854 as a 
hotel and called the Union. At that date the only buildings on Georgia street 
were the residence of General John B. Frisbie, where the Bernard House now 
stands, and a small dwelling occupied by Robert Brownlee as a milk ranch 
and located on the land now occupied by the Commercial Bank and White's 
stationery store. This building was afterwards moved to the east side of 
Sacramento streets, between Georgia and Virginia streets. For many years 
the building was used for justice of the peace courtrooms, until it was torn 
down and a brick building erected in place of it. 

The Central Hotel, erected by Major Wyatt in 1851, was in 1854 standing 
on the corner of Marin and Maine and was opened in October, 1854, as a 
mechanics' boarding house. Up to August, 1854, the town was practically 
bounded by Sonoma street on the east, the Napa river on the west, Virginia 
street on the north and Pennsylvania street on the south. On account of 
wild cattle, it was not safe to go beyond these limits on foot. 

When the capital was finally removed from Vallejo, about all of the in- 
habitants and even some of the buildings were removed to Benicia. The 
two Brownlee (Robert and Thomas) families. Captain Stewart, Flenry Hink 
(justice of the peace), C. W. and E. H. Rowe (civil engineers), Major Wyatt 
and wife and a few single men were all of the inhabitants who remained. 

It was in September, 1852, when ships with mechanics on board began 
to arrive at Mare Island, that Vallejo began to take life again and grow 
toward its present proportions. At first these arrivals had only the effect of 
reviving the hopes of the standpatters, for the men just coming lived on Mare 
Island, where the new sectional dry dock was to be built, previous to the 
building of a navy yard. In September, 1854, when Captain D. G. Farragut 
arrived and hoisted his flag over the first navy yard on the Pacific coast, all 



HISTORY OP SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 91 

men not directly connected with the work on the yard, which required their 
presence at night on the yard, were ordered to move across the river and live 
in Vallejo. It was then that Vallejo experienced its second revival. 

The Central Hotel, on Maine and Marin streets, was immediately fitted 
up for a mechanics' hotel. Other parties made up clubs and built houses 
to live in. William Shillingsburgh and others built a house on Maine street 
near Santa Clara, calling it the "Happy Home." John Morrison built a 
house on Marin street on the lot now being built upon by P. Steffan, for stores 
and offices. Morrison's house was located on the south end of the lot, on the 
alley. The house was'afterwards moved across the street near the corner of 
York, and only a few months ago was again removed from that location to 
make way for other improvements. On January 1, 1855, Anson Clark and 
wife arrived and on the following day Samuel Rule and family arrived. On 
account of the scarcity of dAvellings, these people occupied rooms in the 
basement of the capitol building. As people began to arrive, dwelling houses 
and stores were erected in various parts of the town for their accommodation. 

In the same year a wharf was built on Georgia street to accommodate the 
steamer Napa City, which ran between Napa City and San Francisco, touch- 
ing at the Navy Yard and Vallejo. A small stern wheel steamer about fifty 
feet long, she went to San Francisco one day and returned the next. It took 
her about five hours to make the trip, as she had to be governed by the tide in 
Napa creek. Her hours were irregular ; her officers were : Capt. Samuel 
Goodrich, the pilot and purser. It was not long, however, before, through the 
influence of the dry dock agents, that the steamer C. M. Weber, re-christened 
Guadeloupe, Capt. F. P. Doling and Purser A. J. Douzel, was placed on the 
route, making daily trips and running up Napa creek to Suscol Landing. The 
Napa City connected with her, making the trip from Suscol Landing to Napa 
City. Previous to this daily service, if any wished- to go to San Francisco, 
Sacramento or Stockton, they had to ride to Benicia on the off days of the 
Napa City and take the San Francisco boats which made daily trips to these 
terminals. Well Fargo & Company ran its express on this route, having 
David McClure (afterwards a lawyer of some note) as the traveling agent, 
he being succeeded by Long. The resident agent of the company was J. R. 
Jacques, and his office was on the south side of Marine street, two doors east 
of Sacramento street. 

W. C. Greeves and a cousin of his by the name of Baker, erected the first 
brick store in Vallejo. It was located on the south side of Georgia street, 
west of Santa Clara street. Mr. Greeves, who is living today, at an advanced 
age, has always been a stanch friend of Vallejo, of strong character, honest in 
his convictions, upright in all his dealings with his fellow man, and of as good 
judgment as the most of men. He has done as much, if not more for the 
upbuilding of Vallejo, than any one man who has lived here from the rejuvena- 
tion of the city to the present date. 

The first brick dwelling was built by James Warner, who was the first 
foreman mason on the Navy Yard, on the north side of Maine street, west of 
Santa Clara street. It is standing today without any change from the day of 
its erection. 

Dan Williamson and brother opened a grocery store on the southeast 
corner of Georgia and Santa Clara streets and William Wetmore opened up 
a dry goods store on the southwest corner of Maine and Sacramento streets. 
G. R. Jacques kept a notion store on the south side of Maine street, east of 
Sacramento street and was the local agent of Wells Fargo & Company, who 
succeeded the Adams Co.'s express business. 

On July 4, 1853, we find the first celebration of Independence Day in 
Vallejo by a dinner at the Vallejo house and bonfire. At the former there 
sat down two ladies and eight gentlemen — Mrs. Robert and Thomas Brown- 
lee, Captain Stewart, Squire Hook, Edward H. Rowe (elder), West Rowe, 



92 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Lemuel Hazleton, B. F. Osborne, with Robert and Thomas Brownlee. At 
an early hour Captain Stewart had donned his full uniform and called on 
all to celebrate the day with becoming ceremony. 

In October, 1853, Robert Brownlee, Jr., was born, supposed to be the first 
birth of a boy in the town. Dr. L. C. Frisbie, a brother of John B. Frisbie, 
was among the first physicians to practice here and continued to practice 
until the day of his death, which occurred a few years since. 

In 1854 a syndicate composed of J. W. Denver, Sam Purdy and H. 
Haight purchased an interest in the townsite of General Vallejo and sent 
J. C. L. Wordsworth here to make a disposal of the property, either by lot 
or acreage. Darlinton, Hanscom, Harmons and Secor purchased a number 
of lots on Georgia street and 160 acres of land north of the town (what was 
afterwards known as the Hannibal ranch) and erected a wharf at the foot 
of Georgia street for the convenience of the Napa and San Francisco steam- 
ers and the navy yard workmen. Such land as was not disposed of by Words- 
worth was deeded back to General Vallejo and General John B. Frisbie 
(son-in-law of Vallejo). 

On January 1, 1855, the new year was ushered in with old Boreas at 
the helm. The wind, it blew; the snow, it flew, and the merry crew of 
first-nighters looked out on one of the fiercest storms on record in Vallejo. 
The greatest disaster was to the shipping. Sailing vessels on their way 
from San Francisco to Sacramento and Stockton laden with all the necessa- 
ries and some luxuries for those who worked in the northern and southern 
mines lost their deck-loads coming through San Pablo bay. The next 
morning on the west side of Mare Island and extending north, on the tule 
shore, all kinds of wreckage was washed up. Doors, window frames and 
various kinds of lumber used for building purposes, boxes of canned goods 
and packages of liquor were found in the debris by those who were out early 
looking for flotsam and jetsam. During the day the beach was about all 
cleared of any articles of value. Someone's loss was another's gain. 

The most striking effect of the gale in Vallejo was the rolling up of a 
portion of the corrugated iron roof of the Union hotel, situated on Maine 
street, about one hundred feet west of Sacramento street. The force of the 
wind was so strong that the sheet iron was rolled up and the roll driven 
over the top of Tom Brownlee's hotel, and the bundle of iron rolled down 
the hill until it reached Marin street, near John Morrison's residence. It 
was a memorable "blow-out" that but few people are now living to tell 
about. 

At this time, there being no postoffice in Vallejo, the mail was brought 
in from Benicia about twice or three times a month, or whenever a mail 
steamer arrived from New York. A very large proportion of mail matter 
was carried by Wells, Fargo & Co., who issued special envelopes for the 
purpose. All business men patronized the company, as their correspondence 
was delivered immediately on its arrival and answers could be returned 
before the United States mail could be distributed. 

Many important matters transpired in 1855 in building up a new com- 
munity. In church matters the Rev. William Wilmot was the first clergy- 
man to make his appearance. The Rev. Sylvester Woodbridge of Benicia 
would occasionally preach on Sunday evenings. Mrs. D. G. Farragut, Miss 
Avaline S. Frost, the Misses Alice and Helen Turner and others interested 
themselves and founded a Sunday-school, and Mr. Wilmot had a congre- 
gation to preach to. 

During the year a wandering printer by the name of A. J. Cox brought 
some type and a printing press in town and started a newspaper called the 
Vallejo Bulletin. The first number was issued November 22, 1855. Its 
issues soon became uncertain and finally it passed out of existence. About 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 93 

the same time M. L. Hanscom, now city auditor of Berkeley, purchased 
type and press and issued a small paper on Mare Island called the Advertiser. 
His departure for the east caused the venture, like many of its kind in Cali- 
fornia, to end. 

During the year a small wharf was built or extended at the foot or 
west end of Maine street and a larger and more extensive one was con- 
structed on Georgia street, extending out about one block from Branciforte 
street. It was built with a T at the outer end to facilitate the landing of 
the San Francisco steamers, which commenced making daily trips between 
Suscol Landing and San Francisco. The latter wharf was built by Durlen- 
ton, Hanscom, Hermans and Secor. The contractor for its construction 
was a Mr. Norris, father of Mrs. Anson Clark. The steamer Guadaloupe, 
formerly the C. M. Weber, Captain F. P. Doling, commenced running on 
this route. A. J. Donzel was the purser. 

In 1857 James Gamble and others built a telegraph line from Benicia to 
Vallejo and W. W. Hanscom laid the first cable across the Napa river to 
Mare island and connected up with the Gamble line. This insured com- 
munication with the navy yard and the outside world. 

Prior to the year 1866, the peace, order and good government of Vallejo 
had been invested in a justice of the peace and a constable. On the 23d of 
July of that year, however, a meeting was held and duly organized by the 
election of William C. Greaves, president; Eben Hilton, treasurer; William 
Aspenall, secretary, with Amos M. Currier and S. G. Hilborn as town 
attorneys, when ordinances were passed regulating the health and cleanli- 
ness of the town, and otherwise providing for its government. In the follow- 
ing February an act was passed by the legislature incorporating the city 
within the limits "beginning at the N. E. corner of the present town of 
Vallejo, as recorded by plan drawn in 1856, and running east 3,000 feet; 
thence running south to the water of the bay of Vallejo, or Napa river; thence 
running up the channel of said bay, or river, to a point west of the place of 
beginning; thence running east to place of beginning." The first board 
meeting after the incorporation of the city was held on April 1, 1868, when 
the following officers were elected : Trustees — A. Powell, president ; George 
W. Lee, H. W.Snow; marshal, J. L. Likens; treasurer, J. E. Abbott; assessor, 
J. W. Batchellor; receiver, C. W. Riley, R. D. Hopkins; health officer, Dr. 
L. C. Frisbie ; surveyor, E. H. Rowe. This year, though one wherein Val- 
lejo reached the proud distinction of having a charter of her own, was not 
unattended by disaster. On the morning of February 18 the Alpha block, 
one of the best and most substantial structures in the city, situated on the 
southeast corner of Georgia and Santa Clara streets, and owned by E. H. 
Sawyer, was destroyed by fire. The buildings stood on what was, until this 
catastrophe, the business portion of the town, and consisted of elegant brick 
buildings, and their destruction, at a loss of over $40,000, was a sad blow 
to the interests of the city for a time. But yet another misfortune visited 
Vallejo this year, namely, the shock of earthquake, which nearly laid San 
Francisco level with the ground, on the 21st of October, 1868. Vallejo, 
however, escaped any great damage, though one chimney was laid low, 
many yards of plastering displaced, and such articles as clocks, mirrors and 
lamps broken. On Wednesday, June 24, railroad communication between 
Vallejo and Fairfield and Suisun was inaugurated by an excursion, wherein 
the Masonic lodges took part, and it is also to this year that the incorpora- 
tion of a water company must be credited. In looking back upon the year 
1868, it must be put down as one of great excitement to Vallejo, for General 
Vallejo's prophecy of this city of his becoming a great emporium for trade 
was on the brink of realization. Eighteen months before the town was com- 
paratively small, and its trade and intercourse with the outside world almost 
nil ; then the California Pacific Railroad existed only on paper, and its ulti- 



94 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

mate construction was among the probabilities only. True, the bare proba- 
bility of such a road being built drew thousands to the spot who had never 
seen the place before, and for years had not even heard of it, save when 
mentioned in connection with the navy yard. As the certainty of the con- 
struction of the road began to be realized, Vallejo began to awake from a 
Rip Van Winkle sleep of fifteen years and to show signs of real life. Hotels, 
stores, shops and dwellings began to rise in every direction, and the old 
resumed an appearance of returning youth. But the railroad had not yet been 
built, and it was soon found that the little business awakened had been 
prematurely aroused, and the town began to relapse into its former som- 
nambulistic state. As the last spring opened, however, the iron horse started 
from the water front and began to make its way eastward, returning with 
well-laden cars freighted with grain of the rich and abundant harvests of 
Solano and Yolo, while ships of foreign flags bore it away to other climes, 
and travelers from beyond the snow mountains and from every part of the 
state took part in the whirl of business, and the future of Vallejo was thought 
to be secure beyond a peradventure. Alas, that this success should have been 
so short-lived. 

On November 13, 1868, the second board of trustees was organized under 
Philip Meagher, president; Henry Connolly and Edward McGettigan, 
trustees; Lyman Leslie, city recorder; George Edgar, city marshal; J. E. 
Abbott, city treasurer; Elisha Whiting, city assessor; Paul K. Hubbs, clerk; 
A. H. Gunning, city surveyor, and L. C. Frisbie, health officer. 

For the next few years affairs progressed right merrily. The propriety 
of erecting street railroads was early mooted, for which a franchise was 
granted in February. A steamer was put on the line to San Francisco, 
plying twice a day, in connection with the cars, while a grain elevator was 
being built. This edifice afterwards fell in 1872 from the want of proper 
foundations. Vallejo boasted five schools, which were said to be filled with 
scholars ; a large flour mill had been started and the city fathers looked 
after the interest invested in them. 

On the morning of November 7, 1871, Vallejo was again visited by a 
destructive fire which desolated one of the principal blocks in the city. The 
fire broke out under the saloon of John O'Sullivan, on Virginia street, and 
from information gained at the time, there is but little doubt that it was 
caused by the blackened hand of the incendiary. The damage was estimated 
at considerably over $50,000. 

Let us now draw this sketch of Vallejo to a close. Her interests pros- 
pered through the successive regimes of trustees and other officers. Appoint- 
ments had been made whereby the public coffers were filled and trade was 
brisk ; so much so, indeed, that the possibility of a decline never presented 
itself to the minds of the people. With General John B. Frisbie as a moving 
spirit, this conception of prosperity was almost reasonable ; but there came 
a day when his helping hand was of no avail, and the years of plenty, in 
a measure enhanced by the presence of the dock yard, gave way to a 
season of decline, which commenced in 1874, when trade diminished to a 
lamentable extent, continuing its downward course until 1878, when it, in a 
measure, again revived and left its lessened population once more on the 
increase, with a distant prospect of some day recovering the ground already 
lost. 

The officers of succeeding boards were as under: 1869 — Trustees. A. 
Powell, president ; S. G. Hilborn, Eben Hilton, A. P. Voorhees and E. T. Starr ; 
city recorder, Charles C. Hall ; marshal, Joseph L. Likins ; treasurer, J. E. Ab- 
bott ; assessor. J. W. Batchellor; clerk, C. A. Kidder. In this year a term of 
service of two years was first inaugurated. The fourth board was organized 
September 16, 1871, with John B. Frisbie as president, having for his col- 
leagues A. Powell, S. G Hilborn, A. P. Voorhees and E. H. Sawyer; treas- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 95 

urer, J. E. Abbott; assessor, J. W. Batchellor; marshal, J. J. Watkinson; 
recorder, T. H. Lawlor; clerk, Judson Haycock; surveyor, E. H. Rowe. 
During the tenure of office of this board an act was passed whereby the 
corporation was empowered to borrow $50,000 as a fund to protect the city 
from fire, the principal to be paid off in twenty years, and bearing interest of 
eight per cent per annum. This act was passed on January 11, 1872. The 
original intention was to appropriate this fund for the building of a reservoir 
on Bolsa Hill, an elevation to the north of the town, but the project was 
abandoned on the formation of a water company. Fifteen thousand dollars 
of it was used on digging and planking the Fifth street cut, between North 
and South Vallejo; $8,000 was expended on the construction- of the city 
hall, while a considerable sum was spent on the city park. Other expenses 
of a desultory nature were incurred, swallowing the entire original sum, and, 
though the interest is met with becoming punctuality, the principal debt 
remains unpaid. South Vallejo had in the meantime claimed r.n interest 
in the governing affairs of the city; therefore, on May 12, 1872, Messrs. 
J. B. Robinson and Luke Doe were first elected from that portion of the 
town. On the 6th of March, 1873, John M. Gregory, Jr., was elected city 
clerk and attorney, and December 24, 1873, J. E. Abbott was elected city 
clerk and attorney, vice Gregory, resigned, and J. R. English as city treas- 
urer, vice Abbott, resigned. The election of March 26, 1874, resulted in the 
following selection: Trustees, W. Aspinall, president; C. B. Denio, E. H. 
Sawyer, D. W. Harrier, Henry Connolly, J. E. Williston ; J. R. English, 
treasurer; assessor, William Tormey; marshal, S. J. Wright; city clerk, 
J. E. Abbott. In 1876 a new era had commenced in the municipal elections, 
for a system of elections by wards had been inaugurated, with the accom- 
panying result : First ward, William Aspenall, Ed McGettigan, H. K. Snow ; 
Second ward, E. J. Wilson, president; P. R. Walsh, Charles Weideman; 
Third ward, John P. Dare ; treasurer, J. R. English ; assessor, George 
Rounds; marshal, Charles Derby; H. H. Snow, city clerk. The election of 
March 26, 1878, and the second by wards, resulted : First ward, D. J. Reese, 
J. A. Mclnnes, J. H. Green; Second ward, E. J. Wilson, president; S. C. 
Farnham, W. C. Greaves ; Third ward, F. Deininger ; marshal, W. McDon- 
ald; treasurer, J. R. English; assessor, W. A. Brace; city clerk, A. J. 
Brownlie. On the 13th of May, 1878, the board of health was organized, 
and the first meeting was held on June 6, when the following officers were 
elected: President, .James Frost, M. D. ; secretary, A. J. Brownlie, with a 
board composed of James Topley, F. Deininger and John Callender. Meet- 
ings were held on the last Thursday of each month. 

In reference to the different surveys of the city, the first was made in 
the year 1850 by Surveyor-General Whiting, Edward Rowe, Mason Fay and 
Dr. L. C. Frisbie, attended by three or four vaqueros to drive away the wild 
cattle while the lines were being run. Only that portion of the present city 
lying south of Georgia street was laid out as then surveyed. It contained 
about 160 acres of land. In 1856 another survey (already alluded to) was 
made, embracing a league of land ; while a third was made when the town 
took its rapid start in 1867 or '68. 

The site of the city of Vallejo is undoubtedly picturesque; the undu- 
lating hills which forty years ago General Vallejo had looked upon with 
becoming pride, have now been occupied by hundreds of beautiful homes, 
nearly all of which are snugly ensconced in their own gardens, surrounded 
by flowers of the richest hue and rarest perfume, while for miles around the 
hills, which promised so rare a fertility, are now sprouting with a crop finer 
than which no other country can produce. To the right and to the left, as 
far as the eye can reach, we gaze upon nought but the progress of civiliza- 
tion and the richest vegetation. Standing on Capitol hill the placid bay 
lies at our feet, its surface without a ripple, and glancing from its peaceful 



96 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

bosom the many shadows reflected from the shore. The busy navy yard 
breaks what would otherwise be the monotonous water view. On its other 
side we have the San Pablo bay, while here and there a white shimmering 
sail proclaims the passage of some sailing craft, and a cloud of smoke de- 
fines the locality of the fast-traveling steamboat, and again, as it were, the 
background of the picture, Marin county shows it well-marked outline. The 
coast range of hills are followed in their uneven line, and grand old Mount 
Tamalpais stands like a stolid sentry over its lesser brethren. Below is 
marked the busy landing-place, whither flock passengers bound to all points 
of the compass ; the shrill shriek of the locomotive is heard above the other 
sounds, as it is brought back by many an answering echo. Now we hear 
the more hollow whistle of the steamer, as she arrives or departs with her 
freight of human beings. Again comes the toll of the time bell giving the 
hour to the weary workman in the yard ; while the scene is filled in with 
vessels of great tonnage riding cozily at anchor at the piers, awaiting cargoes 
of precious wheat to be taken across the seas. To the north the fertile 
Napa valley stretches away for miles, presenting a landscape of the most 
ravishing order, backed as it is by mountains of very fantastic shape, while 
in the foreground we have that glorious monument erected by the Sons of 
Temperance for all orphans whose parents have been called upon to cross 
the dark river. A noble thought nobly executed. Pity 'tis that the cares 
of rude business should blot so fair a scene. 

It may not be uninteresting here to produce among the curiosities of 
literature connected with Vallejo the specimens of ways in which it can be 
spelled. It is one of the axioms of English grammar that there is no rule 
for the spelling and pronunciation of proper names, a rule which would 
appear to be carried out with remarkable unanimity by the correspondents 
of residents in the city. The list was collected in six months from the Val- 
lejo postoffice, and is without doubt a most curious specimen of orthography. 
They number about one hundred and are as follows : Vallahoe, Valaho, 
Valao, Vallajo, Vallajoe, Vallajo, Valajoa, Vala Jae, Valaja, Vallago, Valago, 
Vallaiho, Valeejo, Valeajo, Valeijo, Valoege, Valegoa, Valegio, Valego, 
Valeio, Vallejo, Valle Jo, Vallejoe, Vallejio, Vallejaio, Valler, Vallejeo, 
Vallegeo, Valleo, Vallejho, Vallerio, Vallesso, Valeyo, Valleyo, Valleyoe, 
Valleyio, Valley Joe, Valleygo, Valleva, Valeyegoy, Vayego, Valgeo, Valgo, 
Valiego, Valigo, Valliejo, Vallijo, Valligo, Valigeo, Valliju, Valljo, Vallo, 
Valgho, Vally Joe, Valley Jog, Valyo, Vallyo, Vealejo, Veleajho, Velajo, 
Velaow, Vellajo, Velegio, Veleijo, Velego, Velegoe, Veleo, Vellejo, Vellego, 
Velleijo, Velighlow, Velijo, Velioe, Veliaho, Vel Ja, Vialjo, Villeiu, Villigi, 
Villejo, Villgo, Vallejalahoe, Ballejo, Belljo, Billejo, Salliegro, Levejo, 
Palesso, Ralejo, Wallajo, Wallego, Walleja, Walleio, Welayego, Yallejo, 
Yalleyjo, Valley Joow and Valahough. 

Vallejo Schools — Early Beginnings. — During the summer of 1855, a Mr. 
Wilmott, a Methodist minister, solicited subscriptions to raise funds for 
the erection of a building to be used jointly as a church and school-house. 
Admiral Farragut was then in command of the navy yard and Isaiah Hans- 
com naval constructor. The paper was circulated among the men on the 
yard and one thousand dollars subscribed, many of the men giving a day's 
pay. General J. B. Frisbie donated two lots on Virginia street, between 
Marin and Sonoma. The building was soon erected, most of the work 
having been contributed by the different mechanics in town. Miss Frost, a 
relative of Mr. Hanscom, opened a school in this building the same summer 
and continued it for several months. The church people desiring to plaster 
the room requested the school to vacate, and it was therefore moved into 
the old building now standing on the corner of Maine and Marin streets and 
known as Smith and King's blacksmith shop. (It is not known whether 
this teacher was paid in full by tuition bills or in part from public money.) 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 97 

Miss Frost was succeeded in 1856 by George Rowell, who afterwards, in 
the fall of that year, moved into an old building known as the Virginia 
house, now standing on Sonoma street, near Pennsylvania. In the spring 
of 1857 a public meeting was called to see what action should be taken 
relative to building a public school-house. Responding to the call, the 
people assembled at the old state-house, then standing near where Eureka 
hall is now located (afterward burned), and General J. F. Houghton was 
chosen moderator. At this meeting it was voted to build a house and money 
was raised by subscription to pay for the same. Three lots were donated 
by General J. B. Frisbie on Carolina street, at the corner of Sonoma, James 
Newbert being the contractor and builder. The original building was about 
forty feet square, with ceiling some fourteen feet high. At about this time 
there were several teachers, who succeeded each other at short intervals — a 
Mr. Farmer, Miss Coyle, Miss Casson, Mr. Mason and N. Smith. Up to 
this time, spring of 1858, we have been unable to learn whether the teachers 
were paid in part with public money or entirely by tuition bills, but there 
is reason to believe some public money was received as early as 1857. E. M. 
Benjamin, now of San Francisco, was one of the trustees and employed Mr. 
Newbert to build the house in 1857. 

In the fall of 1859, or spring of 1860, Fred Campbell (now superintendent 
of schools, Oakland) took charge of the public school and remained until the 
spring of 1861. In June of that year Miss Root, now the wife of Hon. S. G. 
Hilborn, taught for one month, when Isaiah Hurlburt entered the school 
as principal, and Miss Root as assistant; they remained until June, 1862, 
when they were succeeded by Mr. Atchinson and wife, who remained about 
one year. J. E. Fliggle then took charge of the school, assisted by Miss 
Casebolt, who remained until the spring of 1864, when the latter resigned, 
and Miss Alice Pickle was appointed in her place. They continued the 
school up to September 5, 1864, when George W. Simonton took charge as 
principal and Miss Sophia A. Simonton, now Mrs. Harris, as assistant. 
Prior to 1864 there had been several boards of trustees. E. M. Benjamin 
was one of the first. J. W. Farmer, E. J. Wilson, A. Powell, M. J. Wright 
and others, but there is no data to fix either the date or order. Mr. Wright, 
however, was a trustee in 1864. 

At the time Mr. Simonton entered the school there were two rooms in 
the .school building, the one built by Mr. Newbert for the principal, and a 
small room some twenty feet square, added subsequently for the assistant. 
There were at this time in both rooms about seventy scholars. 

The school was ungraded and its entire management left to the principal. 
During all these years and up to about 1867 the salary of teachers had been 
paid, in part, at least, by rate bills, levied pro rata on all the children. From 
1864 to about 1871 the increase of children in public schools was very rapid, 
and it was with great difficulty the trustees could furnish sitting room for the 
children. Taxes were levied on the people and paid cheerfully to build 
schoolrooms. In 1867 there were five rooms, with as many teachers, packed 
with children, each having from seventy to one hundred and twenty, fre- 
quently compelled to sit on the stage, on boxes or stools, for whole terms. 

No city in the state has shown more interest in the matter of education 
than Vallejo. Her people have ever been alive to the importance of giving 
the rising generation a liberal education. From 1867 to 1869 the influx of 
population was so great that the school trustees found it very difficult, with 
the limited means and accommodation at their command, to provide rooms 
and school furniture for the constantly increasing pupils. In 1869 the board 
of trustees, viz. : J. G. Lawton, M. J. Wright and I. S. Halsey, determined 
to submit to the people the question of taxing themselves for the purpose of 



98 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

raising money to build a new school-house, and, to their credit be it recorded, 
the proposition was carried by a large majority and the tax was levied. Plans 
having been advertised for, those presented by Messrs. Hoagland and New- 
some, of San Francisco, were approved and the contract for constructing a 
large, commodious three-story building was awarded to J. W. Newbert, a 
citizen of Vallejo, for the sum of $14,000. 

With a desire to extend the efficiency of the school department, J. G. 
Lawton, acting under instruction of the trustees, prepared a special school 
law for the city of Vallejo, providing (among other things) for a board of 
education, to consist of a superintendent and four school directors, naming 
the following gentlemen, who should serve until the next charter election, 
viz. : J. G. Lawton, superintendent and ex-officio president of the board ; 
M. J. Wright, secretary; E. M. Benjamin, B. T. Osborn and I. S. Halsey, 
directors. The law was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor 
March 25, 1870. The gentlemen above named having been clothed with 
the proper authority, entered at once into the work assigned them and 
labored assiduously for the promotion of the educational interests of the 
city. On July 6, 1870, the new school-house was turned over to and accepted 
by the board, and although the third story remained unfinished, still the 
accommodation afforded greatly relieved the pressing demands upon the 
department. The following description will convey a very correct idea of 
this beautiful structure : The building is forty-eight feet front by sixty- 
eight feet deep. Ells eight feet wide. Single story, rear wing, fourteen by 
thirty and one-half feet. It is three stories high, with mansard roof, all 
inclosed in rustic style. Two wings, each eight feet wide, set out at each 
end of the building, furnishing broad entrances and stairways ; these wings 
are surmounted with observatories. The center of the building rises to a 
higher elevation, and upon its crown rests a turret, which serves both as a 
ventilator and belfry. The classrooms are lighted from the front by four 
double oval-topped windows, and the side elevations are equally well provided 
with large windows. The first floor is about four feet from the ground 
and the first and second stories fourteen feet six inches high ; the third 
fourteen feet. On the first floor three large schoolrooms are arranged for, 
each having entrance from the wings. Iron columns support the upper 
floors, and platforms for teachers occupy convenient positions. In the rear 
are two private rooms for teachers, halls, washrooms and wardrobes. The 
second story is also conveniently partitioned off, affording four good-sized 
classrooms. The general style of the building is neat, with no excess of 
ornamentation. Prior to the building of this house, the trustees were com- 
pelled to hire rooms in various and unsuitable parts of the city, paying there- 
for heavy rents, the colored school being in one of the rooms of the United 
States hotel. On July 9, 1870, the board adopted the classification and course 
of study in use in the public schools of Providence, R. I., with such modifica- 
tions as were deemed proper by the board. The following corps of teachers 
was employed to teach under the new and improved system: G. W. Simon- 
ton, principal of the high school, with W. F. Roe and Isabelle Murphy, 
assistants; A. W. Dozier, principal of the grammar department, with William 
Crowhurst, Miss Lawrence and J. McFadden as assistants ; Miss Sophia 
Simonton, Miss Mary Turtelott, Miss Foye, Miss Delia Sweatland, Mary C. 
Hall and Miss Rutherford, teachers of the primary department ; and Miss 
Wundenburg, teacher of the colored school; W. M. Cole, janitor. 

The salaries paid at this time were from $50 to $150 per month, aggre- 
gating, including superintendent, secretary and janitor, $1,151 per month. 
The regulations adopted by the board provided for a ten-months' school, 
divided into two terms of five months each, with mid-term vacations of one 
week. The school money received from the state and county was found in- 
adequate, and to make up the deficiency the following schedule of rate-bills 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 99 

was adopted, payable monthly: High school department, each pupil, $2.50; 
first and second grade, grammar, $2; third grade, grammar, $1.75; fourth 
grade, grammar, $1.50; primary department, $1. At the end of the first 
month after the adoption of this order, viz.: from January 4 to February 15, 
1871, the teachers reported to the board collections amounting to $543.70. 
At the end of May, 1871, the following teachers were elected for the next 
term : G. W. Simonton, W. F. Roe and Miss Julia Benjamin, for high 
school; A. W. Dozier, Misses Sweatland, Tourtelott, Benjamin, Murphy 
and Mrs. C. A. Kidder (nee Simonton), Misses Kate Hall, Anderson, Ruth- 
erford, Foye and William Crowhurst, principal of the South Vallejo school, 
and Miss Mary Tobin, Etta Thompson and Miss Watson, teachers of the 
colored school. 

On the 15th of September the following gentlemen, having been elected 
by the people as provided in the new city school law, were duly qualified 
and took their seats as the second board of education of Vallejo: Rev. 
N. B. Klink, superintendent; I. S. Halsey, secretary; Luke Doe, J. H. Green 
and E. H. M. Baily, directors. The newly-elected members entered at once 
into the good work begun by the previous board, and the Vallejo schools 
soon became famous throughout the adjacent counties, many pupils being 
sent here for instruction and large numbers of most excellent teachers mak- 
ing applications for positions as instructors. 

The first question of importance presented to this board for its con- 
sideration related to the finances of the department. The school money 
received from the state and county was only sufficient to maintain the schools 
for eight months. A special tax of thirty-five cents on each $100 valuation 
on the assessment roll was therefore provided for in the special law before 
mentioned to make up the deficiency. This tax was assessed and collected 
by the county officials, in the same manner and at the same time of assessing 
and collecting the state and county taxes, and without cost to the school 
public ; but, unfortunately, the state board of equalization the next year 
decided that all such laws throughout the state were unconstitutional, and 
issued an order restraining county assessors and collectors from assessing 
or collecting township and district taxes. They further promulgated this 
principle in the matter of taxation, viz. : "That all taxes levied and collected 
for township and district purposes must be assessed and collected by officers 
elected by the people to be taxed." This rendered a revision of the Vallejo 
school law necessary. The matter was referred to the secretary of the 
board with instructions to procure legal assistance and so revise the special 
school law as to secure the assessing and collecting of the usual special tax. 
On January 5, 1874, J. G. Lawton presented the revised law to the board, 
which, after some modifications, was approved, and the secretary instructed 
to forward it to the Hon. J. L. Heald, member of the assembly, by whom 
it was introduced for legislative action. On the 25th day of February follow- 
ing it was signed by the governor and has ever since been the school law 
of Vallejo township. The changes made related more especially to the 
matter of including the entire township of Vallejo in the school district and 
making provision for the election of a township assessor and collector as 
required by the order before mentioned, emanating from the state board of 
equalization. 

At the close of the school year ending December, 1871. Messrs. Gregory, 
Hilborn, Lawton, Ashbrook, Dr. L. C. Frisbie and Rev. C. E. Rich, assisted 
the superintendent, Mr. Klink, in making the usual term examination, and 
the report made by these gentlemen was highly creditable to teachers and 
pupils, and quite satisfactory to the board. On January 2, 1872, the board 
adopted a course of study, rules and regulations, and had the same printed in 
pamphlet form for gratuitous distribution among the people. During this 
year Mr. Simonton, the principal, obtained permission of the board to give 



100 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

a number of public school entertainments for the purpose of raising money 
to purchase a suitable bell for house No. 1. His efforts were succe.ssful be- 
yond expectation, and the fine bell thus secured to the school department 
has ever since been ringing" out notes of praise to all Avho participated in 
this worthy object. The cost of the bell was $325. 

The teachers elected for the term beginning January, 1872, were the same 
as last term, with the exception that Mrs. Kidder resigned and J. McFadden 
was elected and assigned to the South Vallejo school. 

On April 23, 1872, Mr. Simonton, after so many years of faithful service 
in the cause of education, was compelled to hand in his resignation on account 
of failing health. After several ineffectual attempts on the part of the board 
to induce him to continue, his resignation was finally accepted on the 7th of 
May, 1872. After accepting the resignation of Professor Simonton, the fol- 
lowing resolutions were unanimously passed by the board : 

"Resolved, That it is with unfeigned regret Ave are called upon to part 
with our late principal, G. W. Simonton, he having filled that position for 
years with honor to himself, profit to the children of Vallejo and the perfect 
satisfaction of the board. 

"Resolved, That the thanks of this board are due and are hereby ten- 
dered to him for many valuable suggestions, and his unremitting efforts 
in assisting us to arrange and perfect our present school system. 

"Resolved. That we cordially recommend him to all interested in educa- 
tional matters as a gentleman in every way competent and worthy of their 
entire confidence and esteem." 

On July 11, 1872, the following teachers were elected for the term com- 
• mencing July next : C. B. Towle, principal of the high school ; W. F. Rowe, 
teacher of languages ; Miss Kate Hall, first assistant in the high school ; Miss 
Julia Benjamin, second assistant, high school; Miss Mary Tourtelott, third 
assistant, high school ; A. W. Dozier, principal of the grammar department ; 
Miss F. A. Frisbie, Miss Delia Sweatland, Mrs. C. A. Kidder and Miss J. 
Belle Murphy, assistants; William Crowhurst, principal of the primary de- 
partment ; Miss C. F. Barney, Miss Etta Thompson and Fannie Watson, 
assistants; J. A. McFadden, principal of the South Vallejo school; Miss 
Mary Tobin, assistant. 

On July 13, 1872, a petition having been received from a number of 
citizens residing near the Orphans' Home asking the board of education to 
open a public school in the home building, and the consent of the officers of 
that institution having been obtained, it was agreed to by the board, and 
Professor N. Smith was elected to teach the school, all to be under the same 
rules and regulations governing the Vallejo public schools. 

It may be here interesting to give the amount of money disbursed the 
past school year, as appears from the secretary's report, dated June, 1872; 
Salaries, $13,745.45; interest on Mackay's note, $750; interest on money 
borrowed to pay teachers, $510.40; repairs and improvements, $1,020.39; 
school supplies, $691.99; school furniture, $354.25; rents, $337; insurance, 
$264.35; grading and constructing sidewalks, $175.40; fuel, $148.33; Avater, 
$114.80; printing, $121.25; incidentals, $129.55: library. $50; expressage. $20; 
total, $18,433.16. 

The receipts for the same year Avere from the folloAving sources : 
Balance in treasury at beginning of the year, $69.36; received from the state 
fund, $4,741.35; received from the county fund, $7,842.65; received from the 
district special tax, $4,234.29; received from the city special tax, $2,415.21; 
total. $19,302.86. 

On July 13, 1872, the death of E. H. M. Baily, one of the school directors, 
Avas announced and suitable resolutions of respect and condolence were 
passed by the board. 




o 
o 

o 



a 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 101 

On November 4 following, F. Carlton having been duly appointed school 
director by the superintendent to fill a vacancy in the board caused by the 
death of Mr. Baily, he qualified and took his seat. 

January 20, 1873, the board of education elected the following named 
teachers to act as city board of examination: N. B. Klink, president; C. B. 
Towle, W. F. Roe, Melville Dozier, William Crowhurst, A. W. Dozier and 
W. H. Fray, county superintendent. 

The following teachers were elected for the term beginning in January, 
1873: C. B. Towle, principal of high school; W. F. Roe, professor of lan- 
guages; Miss Kate Hall, assistant in high school; A. W. Dozier, principal of 
grammar department; Miss Etta L. Thompson, second grade; Miss Mary 
Tourtelott, third grade; Miss Jennie S. Klink, assistant in third grade; Mrs. 
C. A. Kidder, fourth grade; Melville Dozier, principal, South Vallejo; N. 
Smith, principal Orphans' Home ; Miss Jane Anderson, colored school. 

The year 1873 was made memorable in the history of the Vallejo schools 
by the erection of the new and beautiful school-house now standing on the 
corner of Carolina and Sonoma streets. This improvement was made for 
additional accommodations for the grammar and primary departments. 
This work was done under a contract with Mr. Charles Murphy, a citizen 
of Vallejo, for the sum of $6,500. 

It was also during this year that the board adopted a diploma to be 
presented to the graduates from the Vallejo high school. The first graduates 
receiving this mark of distinction were Misses Maggie Tobin, Mary Mc- 
Knight, Hattie Dempsey and Mary Long. 

On Monday, March 16, 1874, the first election was held under the pro- 
visions of the amended school law, resulting in the choice of the following- 
named gentlemen: J. G. Lawton, superintendent; I. S. Halsey, secretary; 
L. Doe, J. Q. Adams and A. J. McPike, directors; G. T. Plaisted, assessor 
and collector, and on April 6 they qualified, took their seats and immediately 
entered upon the duty assigned them. 

Through the kindness and courtesy of the city trustees, early in the 
year 1874 the board of education was furnished with a very pleasant room 
in the city hall to hold their meetings and transact their business. 

June 5, 1874, G. W. Simonton having previously obtained permission 
of the board to give an entertainment for the purpose of raising money with 
which to purchase a piano for the grammar department, of which he was 
principal, reported $190 as the proceeds of the undertaking. A short time 
afterward the instrument now in use was secured. 

Graduating class of 1874: Misses Mary S. Halsey, Mary Wynn, Etta 
Foye, Mary Hobbs, Margaret Wakely, Josephine Sundquest and Margaret 
Dunn. 

Teachers elected in June, 1874: C. B. Towle, W. F. Roe, Jennie Dickin- 
son, Dora Harris, Mary Congdon, G. W. Simonton, J. T. Royal, William 
Crowhurst, J. S. Congdon, N. Smith, Mrs. C. A. Kidder, Julia Benjamin, 
Miss C. H. Pincham, Belle Murphy, Etta Thompson, Mary Tobin, P. A. 
Frisbie, Mary Foye, Jennie Klink and D. P. Whitney, janitor. 

The census marshal for 1874, J. H. Green, reports : Whole number white 
children in the township, between five and seventeen — boys 800. girls 762 ; 
total, 1,562. Colored children — boys 13, girls 3; total, 16. Mongolian children 
under seventeen, 20. Blind, 1. Total between five and seventeen, 1,599. Num- 
ber of children between those ages who have attended public school during the 
year: White, 998; negro, 14; total, 1,012. Number who have attended private 
schools, 263. Number who have not attended any school : White, 305 ; negro, 
2: Indian, 1. Total, 308. 

Number of children native born, and having native parents, 865. Num- 
ber native-born children having one native-born parent, 301. Number of 



102 HISTORY OF SOLAXO AXD NAPA COUNTIES 

children native-born, having both parents foreign, 1,292. Number of chil- 
dren foreign-born, 15. 

At a meeting of the board, held July 3, 18/4, a resolution was introduced 
to abolish the colored school and admit the pupils thereof to the graded 
schools. The question was fully discussed by members of the board, the 
citizens present, with one exception, favoring the proposed change. The 
resolution was adopted, and Vallejo took the lead in the important question 
by being the first city to admit colored children to the graded schools, and 
thus conferring upon them equal privileges with the white children. The 
whole number of children enrolled July, 1874, was 1,011. 

On December 30. 1874, Professor G. W. Simonton and Miss Belle 
Murphy resigned. April 2, 1875, School Director L. Doe having removed to 
Oakland, tendered his resignation, which Avas accepted, and David Ruther- 
ford was appointed to fill the vacancy. It should be here stated to the credit 
of Mr. Doe that while acting as a director he ever evinced a strong desire 
to advance the best interests of the Vallejo school department; always punc- 
tual in his attendance at the meetings of the board, and taking' a lively 
interest in all questions presented. On June 2, 1875, the board being in 
session, much interest was manifested in a proposition to abolish the de- 
partment of languages. Mr. Halsey moved the adoption of the following: 

"Whereas, It having come to the knowledge of this board that an effort 
will be made to induce its members to abolish the department of languages, 
now in the high school course ; and, 

"Whereas, Under the present arrangement, the children of the poorest 
of our citizens stand on an equality with those more fortunate, securing to 
them the same opportunity to secure a high school diploma, entitling them 
to the privilege of entering the State University; and, 

"Whereas, The proposed change would result in a serious drawback 
to the educational interests of Vallejo, and be looked upon as a step back- 
ward in the hitherto onward progress of our city; therefore, 

"Resolved, That we deem it expedient and for the best interests of Val- 
lejo and her citizens to continue the department of languages in the high 
school course." 

The question was discussed by members of the board and a number of 
citizens, including Messrs. J. E. Abbott. G. W. Simonton, Hon. M. J. 
Wright. C. B. Towle, J. P. Garlick and County Superintendent C. W. Childs. 
Many interesting and instructive ideas were presented, all tending to show 
the deep interest the people of Vallejo feel in educational matters. The 
resolution was finalty adopted, and the department of languages thus con- 
tinued. 

On May 28, 1875, Masters Lewis G. Harrier and Samuel Irving received 
their diplomas as graduates of the Vallejo high school. It is worthy of note 
to state in this connection that both of these young men were at once 
admitted to the State University. 

The teachers for 1875 and '76 were: C. B. Towle, principal of the high 
school ; W. F. Roe, professor of languages in the high school ; J. P. Garlick, 
principal of the grammar department; Viola R. Kimball and Sophia A. P. 
Kidder, second grammar department; Anna R. Congdon and Dora B. Harris, 
third grade department; Beverly Cox and Jennie B. Chase, fourth grade 
grammar department ; William Crowhurst, principal of the primary depart- 
ment ; Mary AV)mne, first grade primary department; Jennie Klink. second 
grade primary department ; Etta L. Thompson and Lucy Gilman, third grade 
primary department; Charlotte M. Barry, fourth grade primary department; 
J. S. Congdon, principal of the South Vallejo school, and Mary A. Foye. 
assistant; Nehemiah Smith, principal of the Orphans' Home school, and 
Fannie E. Smith assistant. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 103 

School Census Marshal's Report, 1875 : Number of children from five 
to seventeen — boys, white, 826; girls, white, 799; total, 1,625. Number of 
colored children between those ages — boys, 4; girls, 7; total, 11. Number 
of children under five, 788; colored, 79. Children in public schools, 963; 
colored, 8. Children in private schools, 331. Children not attending 
school, 351. 

This board of education was elected in March, 1876: J. E. Abbott, 
superintendent, ex-officio president. School directors — John Farnum, C. H. 
Hubbs, D. Rutherford, A. J. McPike ; I. S. Halsey, secretary. 

Committees: On grounds, buildings, repairs, fuel and warming school- 
houses — McPike, Rutherford, Abbott. On janitors, school furniture, school 
library and apparatus — Hubbs, Farnham, Abbott. On teachers, rules and 
regulations and school discipline — Rutherford, Hubbs, Abbott. On finance 
and accounts — Farnham, McPike, Abbott. 

Board of examination : J. E. Abbott, city superintendent, ex-officio 
president; C. W. Childs, county superintendent, ex-officio; C. B. Towle, 
secretary; J. P. Garlick, W. Crowhurst, J. S. Congdon. 

Teachers: C. B. Towle, principal of the high school; W. F. Roe, pro- 
fessor of languages in the high school ; J. P. Garlick, principal of the grammar 
department; Sophia A. P. Kidder, second grammar department; Viola R. 
Kimball and Dora B. Harris, third grade department; Hettie Dempsey and 
Maggie Dunn, fourth grade grammar department ; William Crowhurst, prin- 
cipal of the primary department; Mary Wynne, first grade primary depart- 
ment ; Jennie Klink, second grade primary department ; Ettie L. Thompson 
and Lucy Gilman, third grade primary department; E. P. Fouche. fourth 
grade primary department; J. S. Congdon, principal of the South Vallejo 
school; Mary Tobin, assistant; Nehemiah Smith, principal of the Orphans' 
Home school. 

In 1876 the graduates were Misses Ida Hobbs, Susan Cheeseman, Carrie 
Frasier, Genie Martin, Carrie Barbour, Annie Crocker, Hattie Klink, with 
Masters Edward Lawton, Louis Long and Charles Batchellor. 

On September 29, 1876, Mr. Abbott resigned the position of superin- 
tendent, owing to pressing business in connection with the Vallejo Bank, 
and Rev. N. B. Klink was elected to fill the vacancy. 

Graduating class, 1877 : Edward Frisbie, Jr., Thomas Robinson, Thomas 
Dempsey, John Frisbie, Mary Rowe. 

Teachers' election. May, 1877: High school — C. B. Towle, W. F. Roe, 
Grammar school — J. P. Garlick, Sarah Farrington, Florence Goodspeed, 
Jennie S. Klink, Mary L. McKennan, Hettie Dempsey, Maggie Dunn. Pri- 
mary — Mrs. Sophia Kidder, Mary Wynne, Mary Hobbs, Etta Thompson, 
Lucy Gilman, C. M. Barry, E. C. Fouche, J. S. Congdon, Alice Blank, A. T. 
Stiles. Janitors — D. T. Whitney and H. D. Lazell. 

The school census report of J. S. Congdon. marshal, for 1877 was : Boys 
from five to seventeen, 745 ; girls, 733 ; colored boy, 1 ; girls, 4. Indians — 
Boys, 0; girls 1. Total, 1,484. Number under five years of age — Boys and 
girls, white, 795; negro, 2. Native-born and parents native, 706; native-born 
and one parent foreign, 384; native-born and both parents foreign. 1,149; 
foreign, 53. Early in 1878 the board purchased three additional lots adjoin- 
ing the school property, and had the same planted in evergreen trees and 
vines. The grounds are intended as playgrounds for the girls and will afford 
recreation very much needed. 

On March 25, 1878, the indebtedness on the Vallejo school property, 
amounting to $5,000, was paid, leaving the property entirely unencumbered. 

On March 18, 1878, an election for school officers was had, resulting in 

7 7 7 O 

the choice of J. E. Abbott, superintendent ; John Farnham, D. Rutherford, 
D. W. Harrier, C. H. Hubbs, directors ; T. W. Chamberlain, assessor and 
collector. 



104 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES 

On April 1 the board was organized, having duly qualified, and I. S. 
Halsey was elected secretary. 

The teachers for 1878 were: High school, C. B. Towle, W. F. Roe; 
grammar, H. W. Philbrook, Sarah J. Farrington, Annie Klink, Josephine 
Sundquest, Hettie Dempsey, Maggie Tobin ; primary, Mrs. M. P. Morris, 
Mary E. Brown, Mary Hobbs, Mary Wynne, Lucy Gilman, C. M. Barry, 
Mrs. E. P. Veeder; South Vallejo, J. S. Congdon. Jennie S. Klink. 

The census marshal's report for 1878 was : AVhite children from five 
to seventeen years, 1,481; negro, 7; Mongolians, 24, showing a total of 1,512. 
Add to these 753 children under five years — making a grand total of 2,265. 

The amount of money required to meet the expenses of the Vallejo school 
department may be gathered from the following exhibit, taken from the 
annual report of the secretary for the year 1878 : Receipts — Balance on hand 
at beginning of year, $5,122.84; total received from state and county, 
$18,681.20; total, $23,804.04. Expenditures— Current expenses. $17,132.80; 
lots purchased, $522.50; paid off mortgage, $5,000; sundries, $313.08. Balance 
in treasury, $835.66. Total, $23,804.04. 

At this term, 1878-79, there are employed twenty teachers, receiving 
salaries ranging from $50 to $150 per month. The monthly pay-roll of teach- 
ers and school officers aggregates $1,625.83. The session lasts ten months of 
the year, while the revenue is derived from the state and county and special 
district taxes, the amount required annually being about $20,000. The value 
of the school property, including a library of several hundred volumes, many 
of them standard works of reference, is $50,000, while there is yearly ex- 
• pended for library books, under the provisions of the state law. a sum oi 
$150 

List of Graduates of Vallejo High School. 

Class of 1873 : Mary Long, Hettie Dempsey, Margaret Tobin and Mary 
McKnight. 

Class of 1874: Mary Halsey, Ida Hobbs, Mary Foye, Mary Wynne, 
Margaret Dunn, Margaret AYakely and Josie Sundquist. 

Class of 1875 : Samuel Irving and L. G. Harrier. 

Class of 1876: Genie Martin, Susie Chessman, Mary Hobbs, Edward 
Lawton. Annie Crocker, Carrie Fraser, Louis Long, Ella Barbour, Hattie 
Klink and Charles Batchellor. 

Class of 1877 : Mary Rowe, Thomas Robinson, Thomas Dempsey, 
Edward Frisbie and John Frisbie. 

Class of 1878 : Lizzie Cox, Abbie Dwyer, Eunice Hobbs. Lutie Dixon, 
Margaret Kavanagh, George Greenwood, Mary Sundquist, Lottie Kitto, 
Florence Devlin, Kate Brew, Welles Whitney, John Perryman, Minnie 
Englebright, Margaret Murphy, Julia Stotter, Emma Frey, George Klink 
and Charles Dexter. 

Class of 1879 : Nettie Meek, Kate Klink, Lulu Frisbie, Annie Wynne, 
May Towle, Edward Kavanagh, James McCalley and Louisa Grinnange. 

Class of 1880: Mamie Jefferies, Lucy Hackett, Minnie Morse, Lottie 
Green, Louise Rowe and Sarah Brew. 

Class of 1881 : Julia Frey. Agnes Holleran, Minnie Damuth, John Frey 
and Josephine Harvey. 

Class of 1882: Adele Hilton, Thomas Kavanaugh, Jennie Halliday, J. W. 
Kavanagh Carrie Klink and G. G. Halliday. 

Class of 1883 : Julia Hyde, Lovina Bushnell, Sarah Murphy, Julia 
Sweeney, Aggie McKnight and Alice Walter. 

Class of 1884: Amelia Wilson, Libbie Klink, Jennie McWilliams, Sarah 
Callahan, Susie Hayes, Annie Pennycook, Frank Devlin, Hattie Kitto, Emma 
Campbell and J. W. Farrington. 

Class of 1885 : Jennie Jones, Ida Campbell and AVallace Towle. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 105 

Class of 1886: Ida Rounds, Alice McDowell, Francis Sweeney, Kate 
Perryman, Emma McWilliams, Edward Frisbie, Frank Griffin, Addie Lucy, 
Guernesy Jones and Sherman McDowell. 

Class of 1887 : Florence Kavanagh, Maggie Brennan, Ray Cassady, 
Daniel Flynn, Russell Towle, Essie Farrington and Desicignia Snider. 

Class of 1888 : Mary Gee, Mamie Daly, Ethel Thurber, Julia Cahill, 
Mamie Corbett, Jean Brownlie, John Toland, Persia Snider, Mary Cahill and 
May Holton. 

Class of 1889 : Annie Sweeney and S. J. McKnight. 

Class of 1890: Fannie Melvi-n, Maggie Bogle, Clara Hubbs, Mary Wil- 
son, Charles McEnerney, Gertie Carlin, Maggie Bruce, Lutie Griffin, George 
Williamson, Henry McPike, Joseph Smith, Mamie Dieninger, Anna Cassady, 
Addie Gookin, William Riley and Thomas Crosby. 

Class of 1891 : Mary Alvord, Maud Hanshe, Belle Burton, Maggie Ruth- 
erford, William Lake, Martin Cahill, Gertrude Brooks, Maggie O'Brien, 
Florence Cassady, Edward Brennan, Thomas McGill, Elmer Farmer, Joseph 
McManus, Nora Cahill, Ray Ashwell, Lillie Kitto, Joseph Drake, Charles 
Beardsley and Roswell Longan. 

Class of 1892: Grace Brownlie, Emma Kelly, Capitolla Berg, Letitia 
McDonald, Mabel Fisher, Isabella Roney, Emma Bagley, Estelle Lucy, 
Clifford Towle, Minnie Demming, Flora Nicholson, Frank Frey, Marguerite 
Kelly and Dora Wilzinski. 

Class of 1893 : Mabel Williamson, Nellie Gehrman, Fannie Mead, Eva 
McDonald, Gertie L. Doyle, Bert Winchell, Loretta Brooks, Rose Burton, 
May Lain, Rae Cleveland and Sadie Gorham. 

Class of 1894: Charles Meyer, George J. Hunt, Lottie M. Inmann, Mazie 
Roddy, Allan Fowler, Don E. Tripp, Kate T. Green, Velma Voorhees, Mar- 
guerite Deininger, Robert K. Cutler, Edna M. Greenwood, Mary L. Howard 
and Lillian A. Riordan. 

Class of 1895 : Marie J. Buss, Arthur E. Owens, Clarence F. Mead, 
Frank E. Powers, George A. Roney, Walter Roney, Bernard J. Klotz, Dollie 
Edgecombe, Lester R. Nichols, Nellie E. Redden, Alice Estelle Kimball, 
Birdie L. McEnerney, Elwood B. Houston and Lottie E. Saunders. 

Class of 1896 : Marie English, Adelaide Roddy, Lydia Wilson, Ida Kelly, 
Lillie A. Wickstom, Goldie Rounds, Lulu Luchsinger, Minnie McPike, John 
Luchsinger, Jr., Mabel Richardson, Ida Daisy Emerson, Daisy Kavanagh 
and Frank Maxson. 

Class of 1897 : Eugene Carpenter, George Brew, Maud Cleveland, Cecilia 
Hans, Maud Harvey, Frank Toors, Jessie Roney, Ella Thomas, Mary Me- 
garry, Agnes Van Dorn, Ralph Finell, Leila Warren, Jessie Greenwood and 
Leslie Fraser. 

Class of 1898: Ethel I. Towle, Alice M. Kenyon, Grace A. Mathews, 
Irene I. Finnell, Edwin J. Howard, Ida V. Bassford, Carrie Engelhart, Flor- 
ence B. Currier, Cass Redeuill, Frank W. Taylor, Francis H. Redeuill, Rose 
Lee Marcum, Florence H. Cleveland, Magdalene K. Ferrier, Henry J. Widen- 
mann and Carl A. Wickstrom. 

Class of 1899 : Addie Gormley, Mamie Luchsinger, Nellie Gedge, Carrie 
Luchsinger, Elena Kennedy, Ethel McQuaide, Ida Hodges, Charlotte Hodges, 
Helen Wren, Helen Wilder, Leila Warran, Bertha Williams, Cyetta Mc- 
Quaide, Alice Lamont, Mabel Currier, Joseph Cavanagh, Spencer Towle, 
William Widenmann, Lewis Williams, Henry Mini, Noah Hatheway, Fred 
Purcell, Joseph Raines and Elvezio Mini. 

Class of 1900: No graduates. 

Class of 1902 : James Brownlie, Ayao Hori, Thomas O'Brien, Harry 
Turner, Douglas Fraser, Marguerite Hunt, Violet Peterson, Ethel Ford, 
Edna Kraus and Arthur Swift. 

Class of 1903 : Lena Aden, Alma Kraus, Frank Mclnnis, Lizzie Wolfe, 



106 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES 



William Callahan, Ethel Louden, Margaret McPherson, Mary Fratus, Louise 
Menefee and Edna Willis. 

Class of 1904: Oro Bruegge, James Dineen, George Roe, Nellie Wool- 
ridge. Albert Casper, Inez Farmer, Emma Steffan, Hazel B. Denio, Rudolph 
Gruettner and Lillie Steffan. 

Class of 1905 : Anna C. Aden, Jean Hood, Bertha Marcum, Elma 
O'Hara. Violet AVeniger. Lulu Dickinson, Henry Hussey, Clyde Murray, 
Maud Ryan, Fred Wolfe, Donald Fraser, Alice Kavanagh. Rudolph Miller 
and Bessie Smith. 

Class of 1906: Edith Brownlie, Nellie' McKee, Freda Tretheway, Jerita 
Blair, Mabel Nesbit, Ada Garrison and Emily Simons. 

Class of 1907 : Leo Anderson. Stella Clark, Margaret Foley, Kathryn 
Kavanagh, Marguerite McMillan, William D. Wolfe, Teresa M. Browne, 
Margaret Cooney, Marco Hanson, Dolores La Feore, Martin Mini. Ervin 
Casper, Hazel Greenwood, Hermine Hecht, Jeanette McMillan and Adelaide 
Simonton. 

Class of 1908 : Edith Bissland, Carolyn Dolan. Velma Greenwood, 
Irving Mclnnis, Stella Sides, Rose Braun, Susan Gedge, Roscoe Griffin, 
Stephen Martinez, Harry Suydam, Lois Weeks, Columbus Castagnetto, 
Henry Gordon, Oscar Hilton, Ray O'Brien and Reginald Venable. 

Class of 1909 : Raymond Bangle, Ellsworth Courtney, Sangora Ito, Earl 
Mitchell, Irma Casper, Genevieve McGinnis, Ellen O'Brien, Gertrude Wins- 
low, John Brownlie, Cecil Fitzgerald, Edward Kavanagh, Russell O'Hara, 
• Carrie Green, Marie McPherson, Myrtle Ross, Annie Wunnenberg, Jack 
Connolly, Francis Gatewood, Edward Mullaly, Mary Bedford, Irma Jamison, 
Rose Mullaney, Ethel Wetmore and Harold Fitzgerald. 

Class of 1910 : Lura Blair, Dollie Castagnetto, Vincent Dineen, Ruth 
Hascal. Edna Longfellow, George O'Hara, Eleanor Thornton, Leonard Boyd, 
Nellie Corcoran, Sadie Epstein, Gladys Jones, Gilbert Mellin, Margaret Sabin, 
Jeannette Watson, Edna Brennan, Luzina Denio, Sylvia Greenwell, Florence 
Kelley, Maxine O'Keefe, Vance Simonton and Helen Williams. 

Class of 1911 : Marguerite Boyd, Ilah B. Goodwin, Janet Hood, Anita 
M. Mullally, Ruth V. Roth, Edna B. Wolfe, Emery M. Gourley, Ralph P. 
Levee, Ruth Brownlie, Nathalie Hallin, Ella A. Lee, Eppy R. Munro, May 
Shilingsburg, Frank J. Anderson, George R. Greenwood, Charles C. Lund- 
gren, x^lma Campbell, Verna C. Harris, Romano- McCudden. Edith M. Roth, 
Elva A. Winslow, Charles C. Dexter, Julius S. Johnson and Edmund Ney. 

The Vallejo Homestead Association. — This association was incorporated 
on April 25. 1867, under the direction of the following-named gentlemen : 
Elisha Whiting, George W. Simonton, J. F. Smith. AVilliam C. Root, H. B. 
Bell. M. L. Tornbohm and Sanford C. Baker. Elisha Whiting was elected 
president and George W. Simonton secretary and treasurer. This association 
has been out of active existence for a number of years. 

The capital stock of the association was $27,000, and was to continue 
in existence for the term of three years from and after the date and the 
filing of the certificate, as above stated. Each member taking a share of stock 
paid into the treasury $2 on each share taken, as a fund for defraying the 
current expenses of the association, and $5 per month in advance on each 
share, to be known as the homestead fund, to be used in the purchase of land 
and improvements thereon. 

At the regular monthly meeting, held July 13, 1867, an election of officers 
was held, resulting in the returning of E. Whiting, president ; G. W. Simon- 
ton, secretary and treasurer, and five directors, viz. : J. F. Smith, H. K. 
Snow, M. L. Tornbohm, H. B. Bell and W. W. Skinner, who held office 
until the annual meeting of the stockholders, which was held on the first 
Monday in May of each year. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 107 

The by-laws provided for a standing committee of three members of the 
board of directors, to attend to all matters relative to investment in real 
estate, title, price, terms of sale, etc., and the president appointed J. F. Smith, 
E. Whiting and M. L. Tornbohm. 

At a meeting of the board of trustees, convened on June 24, 1867, it was 
ordered that the report of the committee on the purchase of land be adopted, 
viz.: "That we purchase of General J. B. Frisbie five full blocks of land 
situate in the town of Vallejo, and numbered on map of said town, blocks 
392, 394, 395, 398 and 399, containing eighty lots 50x130 feet, at a cost of 
$8,000." 

Thirty lots in blocks 396, 397 and 400 were bought on October 12, 1877, 
at the same rate as first purchase, $3,000, making in all one hundred and 
ten lots. On November 9, 1867, the land was distributed among the share- 
holders by drawing for choice of lots, with the understanding, which was 
voted in public meeting, that as the association had been to the expense of 
fencing in the property, those drawing corner lots should defray the extra 
cost of inclosing the same, to the extent of $10. 

The lots, when fully paid up, including the outlay for fencing, recording 
deed and other incidental expenses, cost the holders $122.25 for corner lots 
and for those on the inside $112.25. 

Vallejo Land and Improvement Company. — This company was incor- 
porated October 27, 1871, with a capital stock divided into 40,000 shares of 
$100 each, the whole capital being $4,000,000. The objects of the corporation 
were to purchase and sell and convey lands in the county of Solano ; to 
erect and maintain wharves and docks on the same for the purpose of manu- 
factures, trades, business and commerce ; to reclaim lands, purchase and 
otherwise improve the same by buildings, fixtures and erections to be placed 
thereon for warehousing and other purposes; to lay out public streets, 
avenues, boulevards, squares and pleasure grounds across, over and upon 
the land pufchased, and dedicate the same to the public use. It was then 
declared that the time of existence of said company should be fifty years, 
and the following trustees were elected to manage the affairs of the company, 
viz.: John B. Frisbie, Faxton D. Atherton, Leland Stanford, Milton S. 
Latham, Alexander De Laski and E. H. Green, the officers being : President, 
John B. Frisbie; vice-president, F. D. Atherton; secretary, J. K. Duncan; 
treasurer, Milton S. Latham. 

The first annual report of the company puts forth the state of the asso- 
ciation as being most flourishing. When submitted, on January 17, 1872, 
its property consisted chiefly of 2,000 acres of land in and near the town of 
Vallejo, the value of which was estimated at nearly $3,000,000. One thou- 
sand acres were situated within the town limits, including much in the best 
localities, and six hundred acres along the water-front. The portion lying 
inside the town limits was laid out in lots, while the balance was suburban 
lands and other tracts of considerable value. At this time the prospects of 
Vallejo had reached the zenith, and the relapse which has since occurred was 
not then deemed probable. 

The Vallejo Building and Loan Association. — This association was 
organized in 1911 and is now carrying on business in the city of Vallejo. 
Its officers are as follows: Charles E. Perry, president; W. J. Tormey, vice- 
president; J. B. McCauley, treasurer; L. G. Harrier, attorney; F. G. Dilker, 
secretary. 

Vallejo Postoffice. — Eleazer Frisbie was appointed postmaster at Vallejo 
January 19, 1855, previous to which time residents of the city of Vallejo 
were dependent on Benicia postoffice, particularly for the eastern mail. The 
following appointments were made succeeding Frisbie's term of office. 
William W. Chapman, March 3, 1857; Joseph S. Mclntyre, May 28, 1860; 
Edson J. Wilson, June 28, 1861 ; Edwin H. Sawyer, January 27, 1864; George 



108 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



P. Westcott, June 17, 1864; Edson J. Wilson, December 27, 1865; James E. 
Ryan, June 5, 1868; Miss Mary J. Falle, April 16, 1869; Edson J. Wilson, 
October 23, 1869; Martin J. Wright, December 10, 1873. and reappointed 
January 25, 1878. The present postmaster is W. D. Pennycook. 

Vallejo Society of California Pioneers. — This society was established 
May 27, 1869, having for its object the cultivation of social intercourse and 
union among its members, and the creation of a fund for charitable purposes 
in their behalf; to collect and procure information connected with the early 
settlement and subsequent history of the county, and to form such libraries 
and cabinets and pursue such literary and scientific objects as from time to 
time may be determined, and in all appropriate matters to advance the inter- 
ests and perpetuate the memory of those whose sagacity, energy and enter- 
prise induced them to settle in the wilderness and become founders of a 
new state. The charter members of the association were Thomas Aylward, 
Milo J. Ayers, Gustave Bergwell, Henry Buckland, Henry Clayton, Fred 
Coyan, Henry Englebright, George Edgar, George B. Edgecumbe, W. P. 
Edwards, John B. Frisbie, Thomas Gunderson, Alexander Guffy, Jacob F. 
Griffin, George Gordon, Joseph G. Garrison, R. D. Hopkins, J. Hamill, G. N. 
Hutchinson, I. S. Halsey, Isaac Hobbs, Henry Hendrickson, Paul K. Hubbs, 
John G. Hudson, Ernest Hauff, Charles C. Hall, W. D. Jones, Thomas Keat- 
ing, John L. King, James R. Lee, Peter Laughran, John A. Lay, O. A. 
Munn, Lyman Mitchell, Charles Murphy, James Mann, William McKenna, 
F. Marion, John C. McLeod, W. Narvaez, Charles O'Dollel, B. T. Osborn, 
A. Powell. George A. Poor, R. Palmer, John Rose, William Rawson, John 
Roache, E. C. Reynolds, D. C. Ross, W. S. Ricker, J. Regan, O. H. Spencer, 
Henry Stege, Charles C. Southard, John Spruce, A. J. Shute, E. T. Seavy, 
W. H. Vanfine, John Woodall, Thomas K. Watson, Edward Welsh, William 
Williams, John Ward. At this time General M. G. Vallejo was elected an 
honorary member, while there were also admitted Tohn Morgan, J. D. Corn- 
wall, W. Sullivan, C. C. Hall, John Walker, C. M. Poor, W. C. Brooks. J. M. 
Dindlay, J. V. Saunders, A. Strohson, E. B. Campbell, W. H. Cheever, J. C. 
French, J. H. K. Barbour, M. Morrison, A. Peterson, J. A. Carnahan, E. 
Whiting. The first officers elected were : President, John B. Frisbie ; vice- 
presidents, Paul K. Hubbs, Gustave Bergwell, Abraham Powell; correspond- 
ing secretary, Robert D. Hopkins; treasurer, Isaac S. Halsey; directors, Isaac 
Hobbs, O. H. Spencer, Thomas Aylward ; and marshal, Thomas K. Watson. 

Many of these pioneers have long ago been gathered to their fathers, 
while there are still a few of the old-timers left whose gray hairs tell of 
Time's onward flight. They, too, will ere long be called upon to make the 
mysterious journey; happily, therefore, that their sons still live to perpetuate 
the noble example set by their fathers in the establishment of so well favored 
a society as is that of the California Pioneers. 

The Vallejo Savings and Commercial Bank. — This bank was incorpo- 
rated May 3, 1870, with an authorized capital of $300,000, under the manage- 
ment of the following officers: John B. Frisbie, president, and Henry Mackie, 
cashier. The directors were: John B. Frisbie, H. Mackie, J. F. Tobin, 
Captain C. H. Baldwin, L. C. Fowler, D. C. Haskin and Edward McGettigan. 
On May 17, 1882, it was reorganized under the laws of the state of California 
and called Vallejo Commercial Bank (No. 129) and authorized by the state 
banking department to transact both a commercial and savings business. Its 
advancement has kept up with the times and today has a combined capital 
and surplus of $150,000. The present officers of the bank are: G. W. Wilson, 
president; R. J. R. Aden, vice-president; S. J. McKnight, cashier; D. Bros- 
nahan, assistant cashier; B. C. Byrne, assistant cashier; directors — R. J. R. 
Aden, Frederic W. Hall, S. M. I evee, J. J. McDonald, James Power, S. T- 
McKnight and G. W. Wilson. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 109 

The Citizens Bank of Vallejo. — This bank was incorporated through the 
efforts of Joseph R. English and its first officers were: President, John B. 
Frisbie; vice-president, Charles Widenmann; cashier and secretary, J. R, 
English. It was a great success from the start. In November, 1909, the 
name of the Citizens Bank was changed to that of the First National Bank 
and the savings department is now called the First Savings Bank. The pres- 
ent officers of the First National Bank are : President, P. E. Bowles ; vice- 
presidents, Joseph R. English and Frank R. Devlin ; secretary and cashier, 
B. F. Griffin ; assistant cashier, George Cadan. The following-named are 
the officers of the First Savings Bank: President, Joseph R. English; vice- 
president, Charles Widenmann; vice-president and manager, B. F. Griffin; 
secretary and cashier, George R. Cadan. Out of the earnings for the year 
over $18,000 was paid to savings depositors after paying the usual dividend. 
In addition over $8,000 was added to surplus and undivided profits. The 
present capital and surplus and undivided profits are over $165,000. 

Newspapers. — The Vallejo Chronicle was founded by F. A. Leach and 
William Gregg, the first issue being printed June 20, 1867. It appeared as a 
weekly edition of modest size and pretensions, and was continued as a weekly 
until November, 1868, when the present daily was established. In April, 
1869. Mr. Leach bought the interest of his associate and became sole pro- 
prietor of the establishment. On assuming the full control he began the 
issue of the Weekly Chronicle, which had been suspended by the daily. The 
politics of the paper, which owing to the conflicting principles of the two 
proprietors had before been independent, was changed and it became inde- 
pendent Republican, and has ever since steadily advocated the views of that 
party. In November, • 1875, the ownership of the establishment was merged 
into a stock company, incorporated under the state laws ; Mr. Leach, how- 
ever, still retaining all but a fraction of the stock, and continuing in the abso- 
lute management and control of the business. March 1, 1879, feeble and 
still failing health compelled him to dissolve his connection with the journal, 
and he sold his whole interest therein to Thomas Wendell, a part proprietor 
and editor of the Chronicle for several years preceding. Mr. Wendell, on 
taking charge, united in himself the duties of business manager with those of 
editor. 

Following the death of Mr. Wendell, the paper passed into the hands 
of A. J. Brownlie, O. H. Hilton and Andrew J. McKnight, who after a short 
season of endeavor sold their interests to S. C. Farnham, who continued the 
publication till his death, when in March, 1884, it passed from the hands of 
his estate to Frank A. Leach, its founder, and W. D. Pennycook. Two years 
later L. G Harrier purchased Mr. Leach's half interest, and for a quarter 
of a century the partnership of Pennycook & Harrier continued in the suc- 
cessful conduct of the paper. On the 16th of January, 1912, this partner- 
ship was dissolved, and Mr. Pennycook is now sole proprietor. The Chronicle 
has been a prosperous journal from the date of its birth and has increased 
in stability and reputation with its growing years. 

The Vallejo Times. — This paper made its first appearance on September 
28, 1875, under the caption of "Solano Daily Times." It was really a suc- 
cessor of the "Daily Independent." George Roe had purchased the plant of 
the "Independent" and formed a partnership with A. B. Gibson, and founded 
the "Times." This partnership was soon dissolved and another composed of 
George Roe, W. V. Walsh, H. J. Pelham and Thaddeus McFarland. Later 
on the interest of the two latter partners was purchased and the firm name 
was changed to Roe & Walsh. In 1870 the "Solano Weekly Times" com- 
menced publication. Still later, Roe formed a partnership with E. J. Winton ; 
finally the "Times" came under the present ownership. With new blood the 
"Times" very soon reached its former leading position as a Democratic news- 



110 HISTORY OF SOLAXO AND XAPA COUNTIES 

paper, and has met with pleasing success as a newspaper ever since. The 
present owners are Messrs. Muller and Walker, who have the confidence of 
the public as newspaper men. 

The City Water Works. — As long ago as 1890 the subject of the city 
owning its own water works was acted upon in the way of having an elec- 
tion for the issuance of bonds to build the same. At an election that year 
the project was defeated, but in 1892 another election proved favorable to 
the issuance of bonds and the scheme commenced development. Several 
ranches were purchased a few miles from the town of Cordelia. A record of the 
further work and completion of the city water works is gathered from a spe- 
cially prepared article written by Mayor Tormey. It gives the status of the 
works up to date. The cost of land purchased amounted to $61,622.29. 

Contracts for reservoirs and pipe lines were let in 1893, and the work 
was completed the following year. The system as originally constructed in- 
cluded the following features : 

1. A storage reservoir in Wild Horse valley, some twenty-two miles 
from Vallejo, having a capacity of 400,000 gallons and costing $45,416.13. It 
is fed by a water shed of 1860 acres. 

2. A diverting dam costing $8,076.35, located about a mile down the 
canyon from the storage reservoir, and consisting of a small masonry struc- 
ture used to collect the waters of the canyon and divert them from their nat- 
ural channels into the city's mains. It is fed by a water shed of 1,500 acres, 
the natural flow from which supplies the system from December to April 
each year. When the stream became inadequate, additional water was let in 
from the storage reservoir above. The diverting dam is situated at an ele- 
vation of some 520 feet above tidewater. There are no live streams on the 
water shed. 

From the diverting dam the water was conducted through a wrought 
iron pipe line to a distributing reservoir on Fleming hill, two miles north of 
Vallejo, on an elevation 212 feet above tidewater. This is a concrete struc- 
ture, having a capacity of about 3,500,000 gallons and costing $12,530.36. 

The capacity of the original wrought iron pipe line as determined by 
actual measurement at Fleming hill was 715,000 gallons per diem. 

The total cost of the original construction, including general, legal and 
engineering expenses, was as follows : 

Real estate and rights of way $ 61,621.20 

Engineering expenses - 18,943.50 

Legal expenses 9,370.58 

Other general expenses 3.579. 1 5 

Total $ 93,514.43 

Construction Proper. 

Storage reservoir $ 45,416.13 

Diverting dam 8,076.35 

Distributing reservoir 12,530.36 

Pipe lines , 68,786.87 

Distributing system 38.128.86 

Tunnel 11,984.68 

Total construction proper $185,296.45 

Grand total $278,810.88 

In 1902 the city authorities were brought face to face with the problem 
of increasing the supply and improving the service. Bonds were again voted 
and larger cast iron mains were laid on a part of the supply line and also in 
the distributing system. Again in 1905 additional bonds were voted and the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 111 

remainder of the main pipe line was rebuilt and rim over a new and more ad- 
vantageous route. Still again in 1908 the rapid growth, of the city necessi- 
tated the issuance of more bonds for the construction of an additional storage 
reservoir. This one is known as Wild Horse Reservoir No. 2. It increased 
the total storage capacity of the plant to over a billion gallons, thereby insur- 
ing the city a bountiful supply of water for two years. The last addition to 
the municipal plant has just been completed, and consists of an additional 
distributing reservoir having a capacity of 13,000,000 gallons, and a duplicate 
14-inch cast iron main running into town from the two distributing reservoirs. 
With this improvement completed, the city is in first class shape so far as its 
water supply is concerned. 

The system has been a great benefit to the city, furnishing an adequate 
supply of pure water at a reasonable price. It is largely responsible for the 
recent rapid growth of Vallejo, and has greatly improved the sanitary condi- 
tion of the city. The rates which were in force by the private corporation at 
the time when the city commenced business have been cut in half, thereby 
directly saving to the taxpayers and the United States government approxi- 
mately a million dollars, or an amount practically equal to the gross income 
since the municipal plant was installed, and last, but not least, is the moral 
advantage enjoyed by the city by reason of the fact that it is free from the 
annual spasm of rate fixing with a private corporation, which in so many 
cities is attended with much controversy and expense to both parties. The 
water rates in Vallejo are about one-half the average rates paid by the other 
communities about the bay, which fact sufficiently demonstrates the advan- 
tages of municipal ownership in this community. 

Receipts and expenditures of the Vallejo city water system for the fiscal 
year ending June 30, 1910 : 

Receipts. 

Sale of water $70,612.58 

Tapping 685.25 

Sale of material, etc 63.15 

Total $71,360.98 

Expenditures. 

Expended for operation $11,438.00 

Expended for betterments 4,126.80 

Total $15,564.80 

Gain of receipts over expenditures, $55,796.18. 

To the late John Frey belongs all the credit of establishing the city water 
works and placing it on a permanent basis. It was owing to his persistent 
work that today the city of Vallejo has the best supply of the very best water 
that comes from the mountains. 

Vallejo City Water Company. — It is perhaps better known as the Chabot 
Water Works, it being owned principally, at the time of its incorporation, by 
A. Chabot of Oakland, Cal. The corporation was formed in 1870, and for a 
number of years, or until the city owned its own works, supplied the city, as 
well as the navy yard with the major portion of water used here. 

The main reservoir of the company is situated near the Napa road about 
three miles north of the city, and was built on a portion of the 425 acres which 
was purchased for the sum of $42,000. The dam is 300 feet wide, forty feet 
high, with 150 feet at the base and 100 feet at the apex, covering 160 acres of 
land. 



112 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



The water is conducted to the city through a twelve-inch pipe. Since the 
city has established its own plant the Chabot company supplies but a small 
amount of water, and mostly to parties outside of the city limits. It should 
be owned by the city and would be a basis of one of the finest parks in the 
state of California. 

San Pablo Engine Company, No. 1. — This company was organized Feb- 
ruary 23, 1865, under the following officers, who were elected at the first 
meeting, held on the above-mentioned date : Foreman, John King ; first as- 
sistant, H. P. Soanes; second assistant, Edward Fitzmorris ; treasurer, F. S. 
Carlton; secretary, Laurence Ryan; financial secretary, John Kennedy. The 
location of the engine is at the Masonic Hall, on Virginia street. It is of the 
fourth class and weighs, exclusive of supplies, 3,700 pounds. The boiler is 
M. R. Clapp's circulating tubular patent, made of the best material and of 
sufficient strength to bear twice the pressure usually required. Steam can be 
engendered from cold water in from four to six minutes from the time of the 
lighting of the fires. The boiler is covered with German silver and banded 
with the same substance and princess metal. The cylinder is fitted to a bed- 
plate which contains all the steam passages, thus preventing leaky joints and 
condensation of steam. It is fitted with self-adjusting packing, requiring lit- 
tle or no attention from the engineer. The steam cylinder, steam chest and 
bed-plate are cased in German silver and princess metal. The main forcing- 
pump is double-acting, and made of a composition of copper and tin and 
highly polished. It is so constructed that it can be taken apart or put to- 
gether in a few minutes if required ; there is also a circulating valve for the 
purpose of feeding the boiler when steam is cut off. The large copper air 
chamber is of princess metal, with a nickel-plated water pressure attached. 
The steam cylinder is eight inches in diameter, and eight inch stroke ; the 
pumo is four and five-eighths inches in diameter and eight-inch stroke; the 
forward wheels are four and one-half and the rear ones five feet high. The 
engine is thoroughly equipped with tongue rope, hose-brake, lamps, head- 
light and all the paraphernalia for ordinary use. The hose cart is two- 
wheeled and carries 500 feet of carbolized hose, and is in good condition. 

Under the present form of commission government, a paid fire depart- 
ment has been substituted for the volunteer method. The various fire and 
hook and ladder companies are now under the new regulations, which may 
be changed from time to time. No city on the coast is better protected by 
the fire department than Vallejo. 

The Church of the Ascension. — Protestant Episcopal.— For many years 
prior to 1867 service according to the form of the Protestant w Episcopal 
Church had been held in Vallejo; but it was not until the 21st of July of 
that year that any steps had been taken to form a permanent association of 
the kind. On that Sunday the services were conducted by the Bishop of the 
Diocese, the Right Reverend Wilbraham Kip, and the Reverend Messrs. 
Treadway and Perry, during which intimation was given that a meeting of 
the association would be held at the office of the Honorable Paul K. Hubbs 
on the Monday following. The meeting was duly convened and an associ- 
ation incorporated under the laws of the state and the Diocese of California, 
under the name as given above, the following gentlemen subscribing to the 
Declaration and Articles of Association : Paul K. Hubbs, T. H. Gardner, 
R. D. Hopkins, W. H. Lamb, Paul Shirley, James Price, L. C. Fowler, Will- 
iam Taylor, Jr., Casper Schenck, Thomas A. Thornton, Ed. A. Willats, 
James A. Green, A. T. Hawley, W. C. Root, George Loomis, William A. 
Parker, J. W. Haskin, and W. H. Stanley. The subjoined vestrymen were 
thereupon elected : Messrs. Paul K. Hubbs, W. H. Lamb, L. C. Fowler, J. 
H. K. Barbour, W. A. Parker, J. W. Browne, W. C. Root, William Taylor, 
Jr., J. W. Haskin, Philip Hichburn, and R. D. Hopkins, with Messrs. Fow- 
ler and Hubbs as senior and junior wardens, and Messrs. Hopkins and Lamb 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 113 

secretary and treasurer, respectively. After the election of these officers 
the Rev. A. C. Treadway was unanimously chosen the first rector of the 
Church of the Ascension at Vallejo. In the course of time laws and by-laws 
for the governing of the executive body were framed and brought into effect. 
On July 29 a building committee was appointed, with power to solicit sub- 
scriptions in aid of the erection of a church. Gen. John B. Frisbie generously 
presented them with two lots whereon to erect the sacred edifice ; plans and 
specifications were gratuitously prepared by Mr. Gunning, architect, of Mare 
Island, and a fair was held by the ladies of the congregation and their friends 
to still further augment the funds. The foundation stone was laid on the 
4th of May, 1868. 

On April 8, 1868, Mr. Treadway, in a letter of great feeling, tendered his 
resignation, which was duly accepted, in fitting terms, in meeting assembled, 
when it was resolved to invite Rev. Dr. Breck to take charge of the parish, 
in connection with the associate mission, which he had established in Benicia. 
In the meantime, Mr. Treadway had returned to New York; but such was 
the estimation in which he was held that it was unanimously resolved on the 
15th of July to invite him to return to his former charge, which he signified 
his willingness to do; and on the 10th of December he once more presided 
at a vestry meeting of the parish. During this period the building of the 
church progressed satisfactorily. On the evening of the 9th of March, 1870, 
the introduction of gas into the building was completed ; and on Sunday, the 
13th, the edifice was duly consecrated by the Bishop of California, before 
an overflowing congregation. On August 5, 1871, Mr. Treadway once more 
tendered his resignation, the acceptance of which was declined, on the plea 
"that the interests of the church would not prosper so well under the min- 
istry of any other person," when the rector signified, his willingness that the 
question of his retirement remain in statu quo ; he, however, again opened 
the question on February 7, 1872, stating his intention of returning home to 
the east in April or May following. 

Still, the vestry were unwilling to part with their pastor, who, they 
suggested, should be tendered a leave of absence ; but at last he prevailed, 
and his resignation was accepted, to take effect on December 31, 1872. His 
farewell sermon is described as being a deep utterance of pastoral love, which 
was both appropriate and impressive. A successor was found in the Rev. 
Adam A. McAllister, who was nominated to the vacant rectorship on Novem- 
ber 13, 1872. On December 21 the vestry lost, by death, one of its most act- 
ive members, in Paymaster Mead, U. S. N., when condolatory resolutions 
were directed to be forwarded to his family; the meeting, however, whose 
painful duty it was to pass the foregoing, had a more pleasant one in thanking 
the "ladies of the Episcopal Benevolent Association of Vallejo, for having 
realized the means, and by their generosity, devoted them to the liquidation 
of the debts of the Church of the Ascension from embarrassment, and en- 
abling the church, unfettered by pecuniary obligations, to renew and enlarge 
its work." On January 5, 1874, Mr. McAllister resigned, when the pulpit 
was offered to and accepted by the Rev. E. L. Greene, who, on account of 
family affliction, sent in his resignation on February 18, 1875 ; it was ac- 
cepted; and on the 25th of the same month, the Rev. W. H. Moore was 
offered the parish. At a meeting of the vestry, held June 16, 1875, it was 
resolved to move the church back twenty-five feet, which was subsequently 
carried out, and the ground graded, a fence built, shrubbery planted, and the 
premises otherwise adorned. The funds of the parish were in somewise aided 
by a bequest, from the late Senior Warden Paul K. Hubbs, who had died on 
the 17th of November previously. In the death of this gentleman the church 
and parish lost one of its staunchest supports ; it was mainly to his good 



114 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

offices that the "Church of the Ascension" was organized ; and the esteem in 
which he was held is touchingly alluded to in the resolution directing reali- 
zation of the bequest. On April 6, 1876, death had again entered in ; once 
more there was a vacancy among the wardens; this time in the person of 
W. C. Root, the first person confirmed in the parish. He was elected a ves- 
tryman at the time of the organization of the parish, and had been one of its 
officers in successive years. 

At a meeting held on the 18th of April, Rev. W. A. Moore announced 
his wish to resign, which took effect May 15th. Mr. McAllister once more 
temporarily occupied the pulpit until the appointment of a successor, who 
was found in Dr. Chapman, who in turn left the parish for his home in Sac- 
ramento in August, and was succeeded by Rev. George B. Allen, October 23, 

1876. He resigned on November 22, and again was the Church of the Ascen- 
sion without an officiating clergyman of its own. The parish was then of- 
fered to Rev. R. T. Kline, whose acceptance was made known January 22, 

1877. This clergyman remained with his congregation almost eleven months, 
handing in a letter of retirement November 21 of the same year. Mr. McAl- 
lister again occupied the pulpit from Sunday to Sunday until, on December 
23, 1877, when it was resolved to call Rev. David F. MacDonald, D. D., from 
Arkansas. Dr. MacDonald was, as far back as 1856, the first missionary of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country. He was located by the 
Bishop of the Diocese at Benicia, where he labored amongst all classes with 
much zeal. He had often conducted services in the parish where he is now 
rector in a small building used as a Methodist Church, and it was a grateful 

. remembrance of former efforts which suggested, after the lapse of so many 
years, the tendering of the pulpit to him. 

The Church of the Ascension is situated on Georgia Street, between 
Napa and Sutter, and stands on an elevated knoll which commands a fine 
view of the harbor and surrounding country, and has a seating capacity of 
two hundred and fifty. A magnificent bell has been presented to it by Henry 
Sanger. Sunday services are held at 11 A. M. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — The appended historical sketch of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of the city of Vallejo has been supplied by the 
Rev. E. I. Jones, the present pastor. About the middle of 1855, Rev. William 
Willmott was appointed in charge of a circuit which included the towns of 
Benicia and Vallejo. During that year and a part of the one following, he 
preached at Vallejo and partially organized a Methodist church. Before his 
advent, Mrs. Commodore Farragut, the Misses Turner and others had con- 
ducted a Sunday School, which seems to have been the nucleus around 
which Mr. Willmott gathered his congregation. 

In January, 1856, Gen. John B. Frisbie donated and deeded the present 
church site to David G. Farragut, David Turner, Simeon Jenkins, Charles 
H. Oliver and James H. Green "in trust for the use of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church in the town of Vallejo, etc." Upon this lot, and largely through 
the exertions of Farragut, was built a small, rough structure which served 
for a time the double purpose of chapel and school-house. Mr. Willmott 
went to the Atlantic in the summer of 1856 and his pulpit was supplied by 
Rev. George B. Taylor. 

Rev. C. V. Anthony, who became pastor in September, 1856, perfected 
the organization. Written by him and preserved among the church records 
is a quaint narrative from which the following extract is taken : "The church 
was built of planks placed endwise and battened with narrow strips. Only 
the casings and cornice were planed ; the other parts were rough and washed 
with yellow ochre and lime. The pulpit was a high, old-fashioned concern, 
with a trap door under the preacher's feet, where the sexton, who was gen- 
erally preacher also, kept the sperm oil and other things for lighting the 
church. In former times this room under the pulpit had served another pur- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 115 

pose. The pastor who built the church put a cot down there and, when he 
retired, simply lifted the trap-door and went to bed, leaving the door up. 
During my first year, we succeeded in paying the old debt of $400. More 
comfortable seats were provided, the church was painted and a fence put 
around it. Aforetime, it had been a convenient place for cattle to shade 
themselves, and on Sundays we were often disturbed by their contentions 
and sometimes shaken by their scratchings against the corners of the 
church." 

At the close of this pastorate the church had fourteen members. This 
number does not, however, indicate the actual size or strength of the congre- 
gation, which included among its most zealous workers the adherents of 
other churches which then had no organizations in the town. In Mr. An- 
thony's narrative, David Turner and Mrs. Farragut, Episcopalians, and Ne- 
hemiah Smith, Presbyterian, are mentioned as having been notably active 
and helpful. Dr. Woodbridge, Presbyterian, held services in the church 
every Sunday afternoon, but had no organization. 

The following-named pastors succeeded, their terms beginning in Sep- 
tember of the vears specified: James Hunter, 1858; Kilpatrick. 1859; W. B. 
May. I860: J. W. Hines, 1861 ; B. F. Myers, 1863; P. L. Hayes, 1865. During 
the pastorate of the last named, the membership nearly doubled and the 
church was greatly improved by the addition of a vestibule and bell tower. 

Rev. Galen A. Pierce became pastor in September, 1867, and had a nota- 
bly acceptable term of two years, at the close of which there were fift^-five 
members and a property valued at $4,600. 

Rev. Charles E. Rich followed in August, 1869. The city was more 
populous and prosperous during his term than before or since. The congre- 
gation so increased that the church was lengthened fifteen feet, a vestry- 
room was added, and the whole edifice so improved as to be substantially a 
new one. A debt was, however, incurred which greatly embarrassed the 
church for about seven years. In August, 1870, there were ninety-five mem- 
bers and property valued at $7,000, including the present parsonage, then 
but recently acquired. 

Rev. A. K. Crawford was pastor for one year, from September, 1872, 
reporting fifty-five members at the close of his term. 

Rev. W. S. Urmy followed in 1873 and remained three years, at the end 
of the second of which he reports the membership at one hundred and $2,600 
as having been expended upon the church property, mostly in partial pay- 
ment of the debt heretofore mentioned. At the close of his term the mem- 
bership had decreased to seventy-one, and nearly one-half of these were 
nominal or non-resident. 

Rev. E. I. Jones, the present pastor — 1879 — became such in September, 
1876. at which time removals had so decimated the membership and business 
depressions so discouraged those remaining, that this pastorate opened un- 
hopefully, especially in view of the fact that there was still an indebtedness 
of about $1,500. On Sunday evening, December 8, 1878, the church was 
almost totally destroyed by fire, originating, it is supposed, in a defective 
flue. The proceeds of an insurance policy for $1,500 were applied upon the 
indebtedness. 

First Regular Baptist Church. — This church was organized November 
21, 1869, a meeting being convened by public notice, calling on all those in- 
terested in establishing a regular Baptist Church in Vallejo to meet at Red 
Men's Hall. Rev. W. W. Hickie was chosen moderator, and Eben Hilton 
Clerk. Each of the brethren and sisters herein named presented themselves 
and were accepted by each other in unanimous vote of fellowship for the pur- 
pose of organizing a gospel church, and being fellow members of the same : 



116 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

W. W. Hickie, Eben Hilton, Esther Hilton, Stephen Hathaway, Eleazer 
Frisbie, H. H. Dwyer, J. C. Voorhees, Anna Case, Sanford Baker, G. W. Mor- 
gan and wife. 

On motion of Mr. Frisbie, the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant, 
as given in the Baptist Manual, published by the American Baptist Publica- 
tion Society, Philadelphia, was read, and by unanimous vote, as follows : 
Pastor, Rev. W. W. Hickie ; deacons, H. H. Dwyer and Eleazer Frisbie ; 
treasurer, Eben Hilton ; Sanford Baker, was adopted. The Rev. W. W. 
Hickie continued his labors with the church until June 1 following, when 
he abandoned the profession. Public worship was discontinued until De- 
cember 2, 1870, when the church called the Rev. J. H. Ruby as a successor, 
and then commenced to hold worship in Farragut Hall; and on June 13, 
1871, an unanimous call was extended to Mr. Ruby to become its pastor. He 
accented, and continued in that capacity until September 1, when he re- 
signed. On .November 17, 1871, the church called the Rev. E. B. Hatch to 
its pastorate. 

On January 7, 1872, the American Baptist Home Mission Society hav- 
ing granted material aid towards the building of a suitable house for public 
worship, a committee was appointed with power to solicit subscriptions for 
building the same. In November following they reported having received 
subscriptions enough to warrant the commencement of a proper building, 
and that Gen. J. B. Frisbie had donated a lot and executed a deed for the 
purpose; but the piece of ground not being in a desirable locality, it was 
thought best to purchase a plot on Capitol, between Marin and Sonoma 
streets. A committee to superintend the structure was chosen, and the work 
begun. On March 1, 1873, the church and lot, which had cost over $4,000, 
was dedicated to the service of God. 

The Rev. E. B. Hatch continued to be its pastor until February 1, 1876, 
when, tendering his resignation, it was accepted. On that date Rev. R. F. 
Parshall was appointed to the pastorate, and, entering upon his duties on 
March 26, he continued to perform them until December 13, 1876, when 
he resigned. 

The church was without a pastor and public worship until April 1, 1877, 
when Rev. T. A. Gill, Chaplain U. S. N., was ordered to the Navy Yard. On 
his arrival a committee was appointed to wait upon him, with the request 
that he preach on Sunday mornings, with which petition he cheerfully com- 
plied, and entered upon the duties for an indefinite period. Mr. Gill and his 
wife labored with the church until May 28, 1878, when he was detached 
from the Yard, thus leaving the church once more without a pastor. At this 
juncture Rev. Frank B. Rose, U. S. N., Chaplain on board U. S. S. Pensacola, 
volunteered his services and continued them until October 13, when he, too, 
left the district. On October 27, 1878, Rev. E. H. Gray, D. D., was called 
from Washington, D. C. 

The Sunday School connected with the church was organized February 
1, 1870, Henry Hall, superintendent. In June, 1871, J. C. Voorhees was 
elected in that capacity, and filled it till January 1, 1879, when Mrs. Veeder 
was appointed. 

First Presbyterian Church. — Previous to the arrival of Rev. N. B. Klink 
in Vallejo, the Rev. S. Woodbridge, D. T)., of Benicia, had preached to a con- 
gregation in this city for several years on the afternoon of every Sabbath. 
At the time there was no Presbyterian church ; service was therefore held 
in the Methodist Episcopal building. On ascertaining that it was Mr. 
Klink's intention to reside permanently in Vallejo, Dr. Woodbridge re- 
signed the duties to him ; and the Methodists, being now without a minister, 
invited him to supply them, and granted the use of their house of worship 
until September, 1863. The First Presbyterian Church was organized in 
November, 1862, while they were still worshipping in the Methodist Church. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 117 

According to public notice the congregation met in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church November 22, 1862, for the purpose, if the way be clear, of organizing 
a Presbyterian Church. The meeting was called to order and opened with 
prayer. Rev. N. B. Klink was chosen chairman of the meeting, and Henry 
Blackman secretary. The following-named persons, being present with let- 
ters of dismissal from other Presbyterian Churches, and voluntarily wishing 
to be associated together for Divine and Godly living, were, on motion, 
formed into a Presbyterian Church of "the old school," within the bounds of 
Benicia Presbytery and Synod of the Pacific: Mrs. Helen Williamson, Car- 
rie E. Frisbie, Susan Callender, Elizabeth Chapman, Isabella Rule, Eliza 
Roloff. Phebe A. Frisbie, Sylvia M. Burns, J. Wright, J. Tessroe, with 
Messrs. Stephen Klink and E. H. M. Bailey. There being none present who 
were willing to accept the office of ruling elder, the church was only provi- 
sionally organized. 

The Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church in the United States 
of America, and also the Form of Government and the Directions for Wor- 
ship, were adopted as their standards of faith and order; and A. Powell, 
Daniel Williamson, James Topley, E. H. M. Bailey and Stephen Klink were 
elected a board of trustees, and were also chosen as a building committee, 
when immediate steps were taken for the erection of a house of worship on 
two lots on the northwest corner of Marin and Carolina streets, which were 
the gift of Gen. John B. Frisbie. 

During the summer of 1863 the building of the church was proceeded 
with ; and on the first Sunday in September in that year the opening sermon 
was preached by Rev. A. Fairbairn ; though incomplete, worship was main- 
tained in it for full two years, when, November 5, 1865, it was solemnly dedi- 
cated to the worship of Almighty God by Rev. Dr. Woodbridge. The edifice 
and the bell cost $8,500. 

In April, 1866, Messrs. E. H. M. Bailey and L. G. Oliver were elected 
ruling elders ; and on May 8, they having been ordained, were duly installed 
as officers of the church, on which ceremony its organization became com- 
plete. 

The Advent Christian Church of Vallejo. — The Advent doctrine was 
first introduced into Vallejo by Elder D. D. Reid, of Santa Clara county, in 
the fall of 1870. The first sermon was preached in the Methodist Church. 
The first series of meetings was held by Elder Miles Grant, of Boston, Mass., 
in the Presbyterian Church, the pastor most warmly encouraging and sup- 
porting the good work. No attempt was at this time made to organize a 
church, as it was supposed the converts would be well nourished and fed by 
the pastor of the Presbyterian Church, who had been so blessed in the re- 
vival. But very soon after Elder Grant's departure he began to oppose the 
doctrines which had done so much good, and it became evident that the be- 
lievers must organize a church of their own. This was done on June 13, 
1871, in the building known as George's Place, a building bought in New 
York and shipped around the Horn to San Francisco, set up and used in 
that city, and then taken down and removed to Vallejo. It had been used 
for the vilest purposes of those early times, and it was indeed a novelty to 
hear within its walls the voice of prayer, of praise, and of truth. The build- 
ing had been thoroughly cleansed and refitted for its new work. 

The charter members were Job Washburn, Samuel Jamison, A. J. Young, 
David West, George Redden, Mrs. George Redden, Mrs. Statira Snow, Mrs. 
Ella P. Pettis, Mrs. Hannah P. Moore and Mrs. A. J. Young. Many others 
were in sympathy with the organization, but did not unite until afterward. 
The officers consisted simply of a deacon and a clerk, Job K. Washburn and 
A. J. Young, respectively, holding the positions. This church was organized 
under Elder D. D. Reid. The first pastor was Elder O. R. Fassett, from Min- 
nesota, who had charge of the church for two years, preaching one-half the 



118 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



time, while Mrs. Fassett preached the other half. They resided in San Fran- 
cisco. During this pastorate the chapel was built on Capitol Hill, on a lot 
donated by Gen. J. B. Frisbie. (Lot 14, in Block 306.) It was a plain, un- 
pretending structure 32x52, and cost about $1,000. The house was dedicated 
on Sunday, March 24, 1872, Elders Fassett and Reid officiating. Experience 
soon proved the location of the chapel too inaccessible to the people, espe- 
cially in the rainy season, and it was decided to move it. In April, 1874, 
it was moved to Georgia street and located on Lot No. 6, Block 284, owned 
by Mr. Tripp and leased to the church for this purpose. 

Catholic Parish of Vallejo. — The first Catholic Parish in Vallejo was 
formed as the Parish of St. Vincent Ferrer's in 1855. The first church was 
built in that year by the Dominican Fathers. Its original location was on a 
lot adjoining the present city hall on Marin street. Generals John B. Frisbie 
and M. G. Vallejo donated the lot and bell used in the early structure. As 
the parish increased in numbers quickly, it was seen that more room would 
be needed, then General John B. Frisbie donated the block bounded by Santa 
Clara, Sacramento, Florida and Kentucky streets, to which the old building 
was removed. This building was partially destroyed by fire a few years ago. 

Rev. Father Louis Daniel, for over twenty years, or until his death, 
which occurred in 1876, presided over the parish, beloved by all. It was 
Father Daniel who caused the removal of the old church to the new site, 
where, soon after, the present new church was built. The old building was 
reconstructed and equipped with proper school furniture, and the Sisters of 
St. Dominic were called upon to open a school for girls. 

The new church was built on one of the prominent heights of Vallejo, 
and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. It has a holding ca- 
pacity of nearly a thousand and the interior is the beautiful work of one of 
the members of the Dominican Order. 

St. Vincent's school, attached to St. Vincent's parish, was opened for the 
reception of pupils in 1870 by the Dominican Sisters from the Mother House 
in Benicia The old church did duty for a school for a number of years, new 
rooms being occasionally added to accommodate the rapidly increasing num- 
ber of students. The necessity for a school building in keeping with the 
importance of the city became more and more apparent until in 1893 Father 
Louis Daniel erected the present brick structure, which was dedicated by the 
late Archbishop Montgomery. The building comprises two large stories, 
with a spacious basement. The class rooms, music rooms, etc., throughout 
are large, airy and well lighted, and every detail that goes to make up an 
ideal Catholic educational institution has been attended to. 

The course of studies pursued is similar to that followed in the public 
schools, with four high school grades and a thorough, practical instruction is 
imparted by the devoted Sisters in charge. 

As an item worthy of notice, it should be observed that it is the rule that 
all pupils during their last two years of study are obliged to take up a busi- 
ness course embracing bookkeeping, typing, stenography, etc., thereby equip- 
ping themselves fully for any position in the commercial world. 

At the death of Father Daniel, Rev. Bernard M. Doogan, O. P., was ap- 
pointed his successor. Father Doogan was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1838, 
and was educated for the priesthood in the Dominican House of studies at 
Benicia after coming to America, and was rector of St. Dominic's Church in 
San Francisco, where he remained until coming to St. Vincent's Parish in 
1896. 

Father Doogan holds the distinction of being one of the oldest Domin- 
ican Fathers on the coast, and he is widely known and honored. At the close 
of November, 1911, the aged priest celebrated the fifty-second year of his 
profession and a few weeks after he resigned the pastorate to retire to the 
Dominican Monastery at Benicia. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 119 

During his fifteen years' stay in charge of St. Vincent's Parish, he en- 
deared himself to all, and as a token of their regard the members of the 
Young Men's Institute at Vallejo presented him with a silver watch. Had 
he been willing to accept a more costly present it would have been forthcom- 
ing with all the fervor of his many friends combined. 

Father Doogan has been succeeded by the present pastor, Father Clancy, 
O. P. Father Clancy was for 18 years attached to St. Dominic's Church in 
San Francisco, and his departure from there was the cause of sincere regrets 
on the part of hundreds of friends, which bespeaks for him the same popular- 
ity in his new surroundings that he enjoyed there those many years. 

St. Vincent's Benevolent Society. — This society is formed for the pur- 
pose of promoting each other's temporal and spiritual welfare ; for affording 
spiritual consolation and substantial aid to its members in time of sickness, 
and securing to them, after death, decent and Christian interment, in accord- 
ance with the faith of the Holy Catholic Church ; for the performance of 
works of mercy and charity towards distressed persons of the parish, and 
encouraging each other by good example, in the duties of Christian life, and, 
above all. the exercising of a spirit of fraternal charity. The establishment 
of this most meritorious association was effected on February 3, 1867, having 
for its first officers: John Louis Daniel, O. P., chaplain; Michael S. Derwin, 
president; Daniel J. Brennan, vice-president; John L. Daniel, O. P., bursar; 
Michael J. Cunningham, secretary, the members of the council being: James 
Doyle, Edward McGettigan, Lawrence Walsh, Hugh Cunningham, John Per- 
ryman, Daniel Wynn, James McGarvey, John Cronin and John Kennedy. 
The organizers of the St. Vincent's Benevolent Society were: Lawrence 
Walsh, Ed McGettigan, Hugh Cunningham, D. J. Brennan, Thomas Lynch, 
Patrick Crawley, Thomas Woods, Daniel Hayes, James McGarvey, Edward 
O'Malley, Peter Lyden, John Leary, Benjamin Martin, Thomas Ryan, Peter 
Bourke, Robert Casey, Charles White, John Walsh, Henry Buckland, An- 
thony Murray, W. J. Cunningham, James Doyle, Thomas Gannon, John 
Casey, Owen Behan, H. B. Hendrickson, John Crannin, John McManus, 
Thomas Hollern, Daniel Wynn, Thomas Kenney, Patrick O'Malley, John 
Mullin, John McGuire, Richard Walsh, John Kennedy, John Perryman, Nich- 
olas Clavo, Richard Palmer, Edward Lynch, Bartholomew Turner, Patrick 
Kelly, Patrick Lynch, John Hurley, Joseph Sullivan, Patrick Murphy, Law- 
rence Barry, Patrick Crotty, Henry Knowles, John Brennan, Thomas Car- 
roll, Patrick Delehanty, Charles Cunningham, Angus Mclnnes, Denis Driscol, 
William Browier, William Flynn, Michael Sullivan, James Toland, Patrick 
Tracy, John Wise, James Lane, C. Quinlan, Henry McCullough, T. J. Bald- 
win, Daniel Donovan, Lawrence Dempsey. Honorary members : Michael 
Derwin, Edward C. Doran, Lieut. F. Harrington, John Drennan, John 
O'Grady, Patrick Londregan and Mrs. Lawrence Walsh. 

Secret Societies, Associations, etc. — Vallejo is second to no other city 
in the state of California in the condition of its lodges, save, perhaps, with 
the single exception of San Francisco. The Masonic Order, as well as that 
of the Odd Fellows, is in a most flourishing condition, while the benefits 
which they confer are dispensed with due regard to the lessons inculcated 
by the several orders. 

Naval Lodge No. 87, F. and A. M. — This is the oldest lodge in Vallejo, 
and was organized under dispensation July 17, 1855. The first meeting was 
held August 4, 1855, when the following officers were appointed : William 
Wilmot, W. M.; Henry Hook, S. W. ; Joseph R. Bird, J. W.; Robert Brown- 
lee, treas.; William Aspenall, secretary; L. W. Bean, S. D. ; Denis Meagher, 
J. D.; John Lee, tyler. On May 7, 1856, the charter was granted, the mem- 
bers being Abraham Powell, W. M.; William Aspenall, S. W., and Isaac 
Hobbs, J. W. The first meeting held under the new charter was convened 
on May 28, 1856, with Deputy Grand Master William S. W^ells presiding, 



120 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

when the following were elected to the various offices : Joseph R. Bird, 
W. M.; Benjamin R. Mitchell, S. W. ; William Aspenall, J. W. ; Robert 
Brownlee, treasurer; Alexander Guffy, secretary; L. W. Bean, S. D. ; Denis 
Meagher, J. D., and John Lee, tyler. 

Naval Chapter No. 35, R. A. M. — This chapter was organized under dis- 
pensation May 20, 1868, and granted a charter October 20 of the same year, 
its chartered members being Lyman Leslie, I. M. Brown, B. J. Taylor, P. B. 
Miller, Dan Harrington, Benjamin Benas, E. G. Moden, T. J. Crowlie and 
Philip Hichborn, the officers being Lyman Leslie, high priest; J. M. Brown, 
king; B. J. Taylor, scribe. Since its first institution the number of members 
has been considerably augmented. 

Solano Lodge No. 229, F. and A. M. — This lodge organized under dis- 
pensation May 14, 1873, and received the charter on October 18, 1873, the 
charter members being John Quincy Adams, P. M. ; Ellis Edward Hartwell, 
Frank E. Brown, Orren H. Butler, William Carter, Frank W. Cushing. John 

F. Denning, George C. Demmon, John K. Duncan, Joseph G. Edgecumbe, 
John Farnham, John Frey, William E. Frisby, Alden L. Hatheway, F. D. 
Higson. Adam A. McAllister, Edwin A. McDonald, Charles A. Moore, Matti- 
son Myers, P. M. ; William H. Pettis, George P. Plaisted, Ambrose J. Plum- 
mer, W. F. Roe, John B. Robinson, David W. Rogers, George E. Sides, Ed- 
ward T. Starr, George Thompson. Joseph F. Wendell, John T. Wells and 
Tohn W. Winton. The officers under dispensation were: F. W. Cushing, 
W. M.; J. T. Wells, S. W. ; W. H. Pettis, J. W. ; E. T. Starr, treasurer; A. L. 
Hatheway, secretary; Rev. A. A. McAllister, chaplain; John Farnham, S. D. ; 

• George C. Demmon, J. D. ; J. C. Edgecumbe, marshal ; Frank E. Brown, or- 
ganist ; O. H. Butler, W. E. Frisby, stewards ; Henry Stahl, tyler, who con- 
tinued to hold office until the next election. 

Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Golden State Lodge No. 216. — This 
lodge was organized in 1872. the charter members being: John Hamill, 
V. W. Beckford, I. M. Rutan, I. S. Halsey, F. J. Trapp, S. E. Wilson, S. N. 
lamison, A. Clark, C. H. Hubbs, Joseph Burton, C. H. Hodgkins, H. Bruce, 
M. M. Moore, J. P. Fraser, J. Hobbs, George Woods, M. Handford and S. E. 
Wright. The first officers who served were : F. J. Trapp, N. G. ; I. S. Hal- 
sey, V. G.; S. E. Wilson, R. S. ; C. H. Hubbs, P. S., and I. M. Rutan, treas- 
urer. 

Knights of Pythias, Washington Lodge No. 7. — Of all the charitable 
organizations in the country, perhaps no other has labored under greater 
disadvantages and with more beneficial results than the Knights of Pythias. 
The first lodge was organized in Washington, D. C, February 19, 1864, in 
the midst of civil strife, when society was in a disrupted state and all secret 
organizations considered political. Its importance and numbers have, how- 
ever, steadily advanced, and now its condition is most flourishing. Wash- 
ington Lodge of Vallejo, No. 7, was organized September 17, 1869, and is 
the only one in the state which can claim the honor of being organized by 
the Supreme Chancellor of the World. The number of charter members 
was eighty-eight, while the first officers were : C. C, A. J. Perkins ; V. C, 
C. M. Price; R. S., A. C. Doan ; F. S., R. S. Williams; B., G. A. Poor; G., 
E. A. Hersey; I. S., John Kennedy; O. S., J. W. Williams. 

Improved Order of Red Men, Samoset Tribe, No. 22, was instituted 
June 4, 1869, with the undermentioned charter members : W. C. Lemon, O. 
L. Henderson, H. J. Ford, C. M. Price, Benjamin D. Egery, Philip Mager, 
W. Williston, J. Brownlie, A. P. Alexander, I. G. Martin, L. M. Knibbs, T. 
W. Woodward, James Currier, J. G. Smith, Henry Dexter, W. H. Green, M. 

G. Winchell, W. E. Bristow, Joseph Anderson, James Borton, John Law- 
rence, William M. Starr, Frank A. Leach, J. H. Powell, A. S. Carmen, L. C. 
Kincade, John Thompson, Van B. Smith, John W. Williams, Frank R. Cur- 
rier, James Frost, Martin J. Wright, John S. Souther, Ed. D. G. Fields, Aug. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 121 

M. Street, O. H. Bryant, Edward W. O'Brien, M. D. Tobin, F. R. Arnold, L. 
S. Patriguin, Charles E. Young, O. K. Doan, George Bassford, George L. 
Quant, M. C. Whitney, John C. Hale, Thomas Evans, James Blessington, 

A. J. Chapman, R. Caverly, J. N. Sancts, James Jordan, Con Lunny, J. G. 
Cornwall. A. J. Perkins, C. B. Edwards, W. M. Sullivan, Charles J. Eger, 
William Moore, F. C. Bageley, D. M. McCool, John Reidfee, W. M. Stannus, 
Thomas McFarland, Benjamin E. Pressey, J. N. Stevenson, A. J. McPike, 
J. R. Hogan, A. C. Doan, John McCarthy, Walter F. Patterson, H. S. Chap- 
pelle. John Lambert, George A. Poor, John Hesketh, George P. Plaisted, N. 
D. Toby, James G. Masseyl, F. D. Higson, N. Carmichael, I. M. Rutan, W. 
G. Walsh, Milton Warner, John McPhee, James Carter, Alexander Anderson. 
The officers of the tribe first appointed were: W. C. Lemon, sachem; O. L. 
Henderson, senior sagamore; H. J. Ford, junior sagamore; C. M. Price, 
chief of records; B. D. Egery, keeper of wampum; P. Mager, first warrior; 
W. Williston, second; J. Brownlie, third; A. P. Alexander, fourth; J. G. Mar- 
tin, first; L. W. Knibbs, second; O. C. Chamberlain, third; T. W. Woodward, 
fourth braves ; James Currier, first, J. G. Smith, second powwow ; Henry 
Dexter, guard of forest ; W. H. Green, guard of the wigwam ; M. G. Winch- 
ell, first, W. E. Bristow, second sannap, and Joseph Anderson, prophet. 

Ancient Order of United Workmen, Vallejo Lodge No. 75. — This so- 
ciety, a new one in the state of California, was organized and chartered Jan- 
uary 6, 1879. It has already a roll of eighty-three members, while its officers 
are : P. M. W., Samuel Kitto; M. W., George F. Mallett ; G. F. M., G. Winch- 
ell ; O., William McWilliams ; recorder, James G. Smith ; financier, Robert 

B. Barr; receiver, S. S. Drake; guide, G. W. Martin; J. W., Charles H. Ben- 
nett; O. W., George W. Edgecumbe. Days of meeting, Monday in every 
week. 

Vallejo Masonic Hall Association. — At a regular meeting of Naval 
Lodge No. 87, F. and A. M., held at their hall in Vallejo April 19, 1866, the 
following-named persons were elected trustees to organize, incorporate and 
manage the affairs of a joint stock company, for the purpose of erecting a 
Masonic hall building in Vallejo, and that the names of the trustees be P. D. 
Grimes, J. M. Rutan, Joseph L. Likins, Philip Hichborn and Eben Hilton. 

The capital stock of the association was $8,000, divided into 320 shares 
of the par value of $25. The number of trustees, as provided in the articles 
of incorporation, to direct the affairs of the association for three months, was 
five ; and the names of those gentlemen were those above named. 

The annual meeting of the stockholders was held on the second Wednes- 
day evening in January for their election. At the regular meeting of stockhold- 
ers the representation of at least a majority of the stock issued was necessary 
for the transaction of business. No shareholder could serve as a trustee un- 
less he was a Master Mason in good standing, and was a member of some 
lodge within thirty miles of Vallejo, and the holder of at least two shares of. 
stock. 

Dividends of the profits of the association were declared annually, at a 
regular meeting of the trustees. The by-laws also provided that a dividend 
of the profits should not be declared to exceed twelve per cent per annum 
on the capital stock issued. It was provided that all revenues exceeding 
twelve per cent per annum be reserved as a sinking fund for the redemption 
of the capital stock, and that Naval Lodge No. 87 shall have all the benefits 
of this sinking fund for the purposes of redeeming the stock of the associa- 
tion. 

Naval Lodge No. 87, by the by-laws, was to have the full control of the 
hall, ante-rooms, entrance-hall to the same, and all the upper part of the 
building, for the term of its existence, to occupy, lease, and rent the same, 
by paying to the association a monthly rent of $20 and a free lease of so 
much of lots seven and eight, at the corner of Virginia and Marin streets, 



122 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



as might be needed for the building and its uses. Three hundred and 
eighten shares of the stock were issued and fully paid up, and the building 
was erected in the fall of 1866, by A. Powell, contractor, and A. H. Gunning, 
architect and superintendent. P. D. Grimes and Eben -Hilton at the election 
were chosen president and treasurer, respectively, and A. P. Voorhees secre- 
tary of the first board. 

At the annual meeting held January 23, 1867, P. D. Grimes, J. M. Rutan, 
P. Hichborn, Eben Hilton and A. Powell, vice J. L. Likins, were chosen 
trustees. The new board organized by electing the officers of the previous 
year, who were nominated to fill the same position year by year until 1871. 
In November, 1870, P. Hichborn, who was about to leave for the eastern 
states, resigned, and at the regular annual meeting in the January following, 
Messrs. P. D. Grimes, A. Powell, A. P. Voorhees, N. G. Hilton and John M. 
Browne were elected trustees, Messrs. Grimes, Voorhees and N. G. Hilton 
being president, treasurer and secretary. On Janaury 17, 1872. the same 
trustees were elected, save Dr. J. M. Browne, whose place was filled by Al- 
exander Hichborn, the same officers serving as on the previous year. Jan- 
uary 8, 1873, the same board directed the affairs of the association, excepting 
A. Hichborn, who was succeeded by J. M. Rutan, the same officers officiating. 
At the elections held on January 14, 1874, and 25, 1875, there was no change 
in the direction. On January 12, 1876, Mr. Powell gave place to Charles 
Daly, while on that of January 19, 1877, Dr. I. S. Halsey was elected in the 
place of Mr. Daly, no other change being made. 

The Masonic and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association of the City of Val- 
lejo. — The preliminaries to the incorporation of the above association were 
instituted in January, 1875, when Naval Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M. ; Solano 
Lodge No. 229, F. & A. M. ; San Pablo Lodge No. 43, I. O. O. F., and Golden 
State Lodge No. 216, I. O. O. F., appointed a committee consisting of the 
following named gentlemen, viz. : George F. Mallett, to represent Naval 
Lodge; Frank E. Brown, to represent Solano Lodge; Anson Clark, to repre- 
sent Golden State Lodge, and Sylvester Warford, to represent San Pablo 
Lodge, authorizing them to select and enter into a contract for the purchase 
of a tract of land suitable for a cemetery for the exclusive use of Masons and 
Odd Fellows, to inter the remains of their brethren and their wives and chil- 
dren. 

Tn pursuance with that authority, the committee selected a tract of land 
owned by Ira Austin, containing about fifteen acres, and made their report 
to the various lodges, who reappointed the same gentlemen to serve as a 
committee, with power to add a fifth member whereby a board of trustees 
should be constituted, with power to enter into and incorporate the Masonic 
and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association of the City of Vallejo. 

In accordance with instructions, the committee met at the office of S. G. 
Hilborn on February 20, 1875, and appointed Peter D. Grimes as trustee, 
after which a board was organized with the following officers : P. D. Grimes, 
president ; Anson Clark, treasurer, and George F. Mallett, secretary. On 
February 23, 1875, the articles of incorporation were received from the sec- 
retary of state, the text of which is given below, stating the object for which 
the association is formed, and authorizing Messrs. Grimes. Clark, Warford, 
Brown and Mallett to serve as trustees until their successors be elected and 
qualified. 

Articles of Incorporation of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Cemetery 
Association of the City of Vallejo: 1. The name of the corporation is the 
Masonic and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association of the City of Vallejo. 

2. The purpose for which it is formed is to purchase and hold a tract of 
land near the City of Vallejo, in Solano county, state of California, and to es- 
tablish and maintain a cemetery thereon. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 123 

3. That its principal place of business is the City of Vallejo, Solano 
county, California. 

4. That the term for which it is to exist is fifty years. 

5. That the number of its directors or trustees be five. 

The annual meeting for the election of trustees and the transaction pi 
general business is held on the last Tuesday in March, and it is ordained 
that no person may be a trustee unless he be a Mason or Odd Fellow in good 
standing, or the owner of a lot. Each lodge is entitled to a vote for the elec- 
tion of a trustee, a like privilege being also held by the lot owners. 

Grand Army of the Republic, Farragut Post No. 12, G. A. R. — The ob- 
jects and aims of the association are attending to the sick and wounded sol- 
diers who served honorably during the great rebellion ; the burial of their 
departed comrades, and to cherish and encourage friendly feelings for one 
another, which should animate the bosoms of all true patriots. This post was 
organized on February 19, 1868, and reorganized in accordance with gen- 
eral orders from headquarters in August, 1869. The charter members were 
Edward G. Haynes, William G. Oberend, N. C. McMegonegal, R. L. Dun- 
can, E. C. Taylor, E. H. Forrester, E. S. Jenkins, John Ashton, Joseph An- 
derson and John L. Gamble, of whom Messrs. Duncan and Taylor are now 
deceased. The first officers elected to serve were J. L. Gamble, post com- 
mander; W. G. Oberend, senior vice-commander; Ed C. Taylor, junior vice- 
commander; Ed G. Haynes, post adjutant; E. H. Forrester, quartermaster. 

The Knights of Columbus. — This society today forms an important fac- 
tor in the makeup of Vallejo's organized institutions, and counts among its 
members many of the most prominent men of this city. Moreover, its mem- 
bers have shown an activity, as directed by their own exalted order, which is 
well understood by councils of neighboring cities. 

Vallejo Council was inaugurated in 1904, and is known as No. 874. The 
first Grand Knight was P. B. Lynch, and there were fifty-eight charter mem- 
bers with the following taking office in addition to Mr. Lynch : Deputy 
grand knight, John Cunningham ; chancellor, James J. Stanley ; recorder, F. A. 
McGinley; financial secretary, J. R. Whitaker; treasurer, J. J. McDonald; 
lecturer, T. J. O'Hara ; advocate, Thomas Smith ; warden, J. J. Kennedy ; in- 
side guard, Frank Fitzmaurice; outside guard, W. J. Towney; trustees, Luke 
Burke. J. A. Jones and W. H. McCrystle ; chaplain, Rev. W. A. Netterville, 
O. P. 

Since then the membership has virtually tripled, counting today one 
hundred and sixty active members with officers as follows : Grand knight, J. R. 
Ryall ; deputy grand knight, W. W. Lamburth ; chancellor, J. McCauley; 
warden, F. Blanco; treasurer, W. H. McCrystle; financial secretary, C. 
Walsh ; recorder, C. O'Donnell ; advocate, J. Magee ; inside guard, J. Con- 
nolly; outside guard, H. Dunphy; trustee, M. Horan ; chaplain, Rev. J. A. 
Netterville, O. P. 

A summary of the leading events in the history of the city of Vallejo will 
read as follows : 

In 1855 the steamer Guadaloupe made three trips a week from Napa to 
Vallejo, and from Vallejo to San Francisco. The Vallejo Bulletin was start- 
ed on November 22, 1855, and lasted just six weeks. The Chronicle was 
started on June 20, 1867; the Solano Times, now the Vallejo Daily Times, 
was started September 28, 1875, while the Morning News began its publica- 
tion in 1895. The Bernard House was opened August 10, 1872, and the How- 
ard House in December, 1876. The Vallejo Savings and Commercial Bank 
began business here May 3, 1870. The Citizens Bank was started in 1899. 
In February, 1867, the legislature gave to Vallejo its charter, and A. Powell 
was the first president of the board of trustees. The present freeholders' 
charter was adopted January 26, 1899. The first public school was started 
on Virginia street, between Marin and Sonoma, in 1855. The fire depart- 



124 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ment was organized December 4, 1865. The Vallejo Gas Light Company 
was organized in 1867. In 1868 the California Pacific railroad was opened 
to Suisun and a steamer began to make two trips daily from Vallejo to San 
Francisco. Carquinez Cemetery was established in 1857, and the Masonic 
and Odd Fellows' Cemetery Association was incorporated in 1875. The 
Hillside Cemetery was opened in 1900. The Good Templars' Orphans' Home, 
which provides for about two hundred children, was opened in October, 
1870. The Naval Union, a pleasant place of resort for sailors and marines, 
was opened on Christmas, 1893. The first electric lighting system began 
operations in 1893. After long service from a private water company, the 
city of Vallejo in 1894 secured a system of its own, drawing its supply from 
a large reservoir at Wild Horse valley. The public library was established in 
the early '80s. The Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1901. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 
IN VACA'S FRUITED VALE. 

By Frank B. McKevitt. 

One of the most famous fruit-growing locations in California is found 
in the northern part of Solano county. It is composed of three valleys, La- 
goon, Vaca and Pleasants, and is celebrated for producing not only the earli- 
est fruit in the state, but that of the finest quality as well. The principal of 
these is known as Vaca valley, extending from the town of Vacaville on the 
south to Pleasants valley, six miles north. Lagoon valley lies to the south- 
west of town and extends for three miles to the foothills that separate it 
from Suisun valley. To the north of Vaca valley lies Pleasants valley, ex- 
tending some five miles to Putah creek. 

This fertile section lies along the eastern base of the foothills of the 
coast range, and is cut off from the Sacramento valley by a lower range of 
foothills, most of which have a sandy soil, and are planted with orchards and 
vineyards. It is to this peculiar location that the valley owes its extreme 
earliness. The general direction of the high range of foothills or mountains 
to the west of the valley is northwest, shutting off the strong trade winds 
from the Pacific which prevail during the month of August, and the fogs 
which drift in from that direction all through the earlier part of the season. 
A low range bearing sharply to the southeast cuts across the lower end of 
Lagoon valley, shutting off the cold wind from Suisun bay, tempering it into 
a cooling and delightful breeze. Thus shut in, it is at once seen how thor- 
oughly protected these valleys are, and the reason why it is here possible to 
grow the very early fruit for which they are so justly famous. 

The climate is warm and pleasant in summer, cool and equable in win- 
ter. The heat of the great Sacramento valley is tempered by the cool sea 
breeze which blows every day during the summer, and in the winter, while 
there are a few days that frost, and sometimes even thin ice, are in evidence, 
it seldom happens that tender orange trees suffer and geraniums grow and 
flourish luxuriantly year after year, sometimes attaining almost the size and 
dignity of trees. 

Once a Great Cattle Range. 

Many years ago when the first white settlers came to the state, Vaca 
valley was used as a great grazing ground for the countless herds of cattle 
which then furnished the principal means of livelihood of the pioneers. At 
that time the valley supported each season a luxuriant growth of wild oats, 
and was studded at frequent intervals with magnificent oak trees, some of 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



125 



them of the white, or valley oak, and others of the beautiful live oak, now 
seldom seen except in the rough and precipitous lands of the hills. Very few 
of these magnificent specimens of the forest now remain, most of them hav- 
ing been removed when the ground was turned from grain to fruit growing. 
The fertility of the soil was such that the natural vegetation attained a rank 
growth. More than one of the early settlers has told the writer that it was a 
common occurrence for a man on horseback to reach the standing oats on 
either hand and tie them together over his head while seated in the saddle. 
This would seem to be a romance, but as I have seen oats growing on the 
virgin soil of freshly cleared lands on the creek banks attain a height of 
seven feet, I have no reason to doubt the truth of the statement. The oats 
grew so high that droves of cattle feeding on the plain were entirely invisible 
and their presence was known to the observer only when the animals would 
happen to cross one of the numerous paths which had been made through the 
grain by their continuous tramping. At that time the country was supposed 
to be good for nothing but stock, it seeming to be impossible for people to 
realize that land which would produce such a wonderful growth of natural 
vegetation might be equally good for cultivated crops. 

Practically the whole of these three valleys, with considerably more, 
amounting in the aggregate to over 44,000 acres of land, were granted by the 
Mexican government to Pena and Vaca and were held by them for many years, 
but, as has been the case with so many of the early Spanish families, the 
lands were allowed to gradually slip from their grasp, until now the only 
portion of this rich domain remaining in the possession of the family is owned 
by Mrs. J. T. Rivera in Lagoon valley, Mrs. Rivera being the daughter of 
Dometro Pena, one of the original owners of the grant. 

Without having any official data at hand, it is impossible to give exact 
dates for the early settlement of the valley and the beginning of the fruit in- 
dustry there, but as nearly as can be learned the first planting of figs and 
olives was undoubtedly made by John Wolfskill on the south banks of Putah 
creek about the year 1845. These trees are still standing in full strength and 
vigor and are annually producing full crops. 

J. M. Pleasants was probably the second settler in the valley. He set- 
tled on land immediately south of Wolfskill's and made a small planting of 
apricots, apples and pears about the year 1852. These trees were planted for 
family use and flourished to a remarkable degree, some of them being still 
standing. 

About the year 1856 M. R. Miller settled in the valley about two miles 
south of Pleasants. Like his predecessors, he planted a family orchard of 
peaches, apples and figs, and undoubtedly has the distinction of having made 
the first planting of Mission grapes. G. W. Thissell, E. R. Thurber, John 
Dolan and Ansel Putman, John Huckins, William Cantelow, Louis Pierson, 
A. R. Pond, Joseph Weldon, Levi Korn, Sol Decker and J. R. Collins were 
other early settlers who engaged in the fruit business about the time, or 
shortly after, M. R. Miller. So far as we can learn the first commercial use 
was made of the fruit products of the valley by M. R. Miller, who grafted 
his Mission vines into Muscats. Loading his fruit into a four-horse wagon, 
he made trips to the mines, where he found ready sale of the product at fancy 
prices, frequently receiving as much as fifty cents per pound. It was gen- 
erally believed in those days that the only suitable places for growing fruit 
were to be found at or near the mouth of some one of the canyons which bi- 
sected the foothills to the west. This was probably owing to the fact that 
because of the formation of the range there was always a draft in such locali- 
ties. This was almost a sure preventive of frost in the spring, which was the 
only drawback to fruit growing in the valley. As the profits of the business 
became better known, and there being but few localities of this nature, plant- 



126 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ings were gradually extended further and further away from these canyons 
until finally during the last thirty years practically the entire valley has been 
turned into one great orchard and vineyard. 

As early as 1863 or '64, M. R. Miller tried the experiment of shipping 
Muscats in cork dust to New York. Shipment was made via Panama, the 
cork dust being obtained in San Francisco from dealers who purchased the 
imported Almeria grapes, which were packed in that material. As the Muscat 
is the most tender table grape of the better varieties known, it is not at all 
surprising that the experiment resulted disastrously. Very early in the his- 
tory of the industry it was found there was a good market for fruit products 
in San Francisco, but as the plantings increased more rapidly than the de- 
mand, it was not long before growers were looking elsewhere for an outlet. 
When the Central Pacific railroad was completed small lots were sent to the 
east by express, and as the shipments were small and the fruit fine, high 
prices were received, but the cost of shipment was very great. In 1876 a 
carload of fine grapes was shipped from Pleasants valley to the Centennial 
Exposition at Philadelphia, one-half of this fruit being contributed by grow- 
ers to be used for exhibition purposes at the exposition, and to advertise to 
the people of the east the wonderful fruits of the state. The other half of 
the carload was purchased by the father of Edwin T. Earl and was shipped 
by him as a commercial venture. The venture was entirely successful, the 
fruit arriving in good condition and making a very creditable appearance at 
the exposition. It is not known whether any ice was used with the shipment 
or not, but it was forwarded in an express car, and it is possible that some 
cakes of ice were placed in the center of the car, as was the case with some 
shipments that were subsequently made. 

The growth of the industry was slow until the year 1880, when people 
in general began to realize the great possibilities of the business, and about 
that time there was developed a strong demand for land at constantly increas- 
ing prices and a rapid planting of orchards and vineyards began; it was not 
long before the growing of fruit became the principal industry of the entire 
section. In the early years there were larger plantings of grapes than of tree 
fruits, but about 1870 the vines began to droop and it was soon learned that 
the dreaded phylloxera was working on the roots. The pest first appeared 
in the northern part of Pleasants valley and worked its way south by slow 
degrees until practically all the old vineyards were involved, making it nec- 
essary after a few years to remove the vines and replace with trees. The 
most common of the early planting was the Mission, which was followed by 
the Muscat, then the Rose of Peru, Sweetwater, Fontainbleau, Zinfandel and 
many other of the more common varieties. 

It is believed that the first Tokays were planted by William Cantelow, 
and for many years this variety was considered worthless, owing to its shy 
bearing qualities. Later on its great size and beauty led to careful experi- 
ments, and it was found that its shy bearing qualities were due, not to the 
variety, but to the system of pruning, and that by changing same to meet the 
requirements of its growth it could be made to produce heavily. This fact 
being determined, it was not long before the new plantings were practically 
all devoted to this variety, until today it probably constitutes at least ninety 
per cent of the total. Another reason for this is the fact that it was found 
the Tokay root was more nearly resistant to the attacks of the phylloxera 
than any other of our table grapes, and it has been determined by experi- 
ments at the university that if we grant to the best grape roots twenty points 
of resistance, the Tokay is entitled to twelve ; as most of the resistant stocks 
generally used have but sixteen points, it is seen that the Tokay is pretty 
nearly a resistant itself ; in fact, there are Tokay vines growing and in full 
bearing in the valley that are known to have been affected with the phylloxera 
for many years. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



127 



This section has long been noted for its early cherries, and in at least 
two seasons within the knowledge of the writer, this fruit has been marketed 
from our earliest orchards on the 31st day of March. Generally, however, 
the time of ripening is from the 15th to the 25th of April, and at no time dur- 
ing the last thirty years has the first of May passed without ripe fruit of this 
variety. Owing to its extreme earliness and the fact that no other summer 
fruit is available at that time, the first cherries bring fabulous prices and it 
is generally the case that the first box sells at a price varying all the way 
from $10 to $100, figures greatly in excess of actual value, of course, but be- 
ing paid by dealers who are anxious to secure the first shipment in order 
that they may use it for advertising purposes. The whole output, however, 
is marketed at splendid figures, and it is by no means uncommon for the en- 
tire crop of an orchard, advantageously situated and correctly handled, to 
bring an average net value of from $1.25 to $1.75 per box. As each box con- 
tains about eight pounds of fruit, the great profits that may be derived from 
the production of this fruit is realized. There is not a great deal of land that 
is available for cherry growing, owing to the fact that the tree is very par- 
ticular as to its location. To grow to best advantage it should be planted in 
a sediment soil, and preferably near a stream of running water. The soil 
must be deep, rich and well drained, but sufficiently moist to produce a good 
growth. In such localities the tree grows luxuriantly, and if of the right va- 
riety, will bear satisfactory crops. Early in the history of cherry growing it 
was customary to plant solid blocks of single varieties. When this was done 
it was found that very poor crops were produced, but it was soon observed 
that where different varieties were growing in close proximity the crops 
were generally better. This fact was taken advantage of in future plantings, 
and it is now customary to plant alternate rows of different varieties, so ar- 
ranging them that a naturally shy bearing variety is planted close to one that 
is noted for heavy bearing, provided the two bloom at or about the same time. 
The consequent intermixing of the pollen from the different varieties has 
been found to have a most beneficial effect on the crop, and while cherry 
trees do not generally bear as many pounds of fruit as other varieties, satis- 
factory crops are usually obtained and the financial returns of a good cherry 
orchard are exceedingly satisfactory. The varieties most commonly grown 
are Purple Guigne, Chapman, Burbank, Tartarian, Royal Ann, Rockport and 
Bing. There are some other new and fine varieties of large size and splendid 
quality, but owing to uncertainty in regard to their bearing qualities, they 
have not as yet been generally planted. The cherry output of the valley at 
the present time is probably in the neighborhood of thirty carloads annually. 
New plantings which are nearly ready to come into bearing will, in the course 
of the next five years, more than double this amount, and as this variety has 
practically no competition, there is every reason to believe that the industry 
will always continue a most profitable one. 

The peach is more extensively planted here than any other fruit, the soil 
being splendidly adapted to it, and the climate everything that could be de- 
sired. Trees begin to bear at three years and increase in productiveness rap- 
idly until ten or more years of age. After they are twenty years old they 
begin to deteriorate, principally owing to the fact that the wood is quite soft. 
and, becoming more or less spongy and decayed, there is considerable loss 
from breakage, although there are peach trees still in profitable bearing in the 
valley having an age of more than thirty years. The principal varieties are 
the Alexander, Hale, St. John, Triumph, Early and Late Crawford, Mary's 
Choice, Decker, Elberta, Susquehanna, Picquet's Late, Salway, Orange Cling, 
McKevitt Cling, White Heath Cling, Muir and Lovall. Those first mentioned 
are generally used for shipping, although all of them with the exception of Al- 
exander and Hale, can be dried. Orange Clings are frequently shipped east and 
south with very good results, while the McKevitt and White Heath are used 



128 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

exclusively for canning, for which purpose they are unexcelled. Muir and 
Lovall are used almost entirely for drying and canning, these two being 
probably the best varieties for drying known. The Decker peach is a chance 
seedling which was found on the ranch of Sol Decker, and its commercial im- 
portance was discovered and the peach first propagated for commercial pur- 
poses by L. W. Buck. The McKevitt Cling was a chance seedling found 
growing on the ranch of M. R. Miller, who made the first large planting of 
some on the ranch which subsequently passed into the hands of Alexander 
McKevitt, from whom the peach took its name. Although there is consid- 
erable controversy about the origin of the Muir and Lovall, they were claimed 
to have been discovered on the ranch of G. W. Thissell, and by him were 
introduced to the general public. Mr. Thissell also had the distinction of first 
bringing to notice a seedling apricot, the earliest yellow fleshed variety known 
and which bears his name, Thissell Seedling. The peach season in Vaca 
valley opens the latter part of May and continues until practically the first of 
October. While a very considerable percentage of the crop finds its market 
in the fresh state in the east, a much larger amount is dried. 

The Climax and Wickson plum, as well as some other new varieties not 
so well known, can be picked when the fruit is of a creamy yellow color and 
will continue the ripening process after picking until it attains a deep and 
beautiful color and a flavor and sweetness that are unexcelled. These fine 
plums which have been enumerated are found to be profitable for eastern 
shipment, owing, not only to their earliness in ripening, but also to the fact 
that because of the ravages of the curculio in the east they cannot be profit- 
ably produced there, and for this reason they have the market almost entirely 
to themselevs. During the last few years many peach and apricot orchards 
have been grafted to these fine shipping varieties, and the output 
of them is constantly increasing, until now it is one of the most important 
fruits commercially that we produce. The life of the plum tree is 
much longer than that of the peach and stands on a par with that of 
the apricot. French prunes are very largely grown, and are of a size 
and quality unexcelled elsewhere in the state. The tree is very healthy and 
long lived, producing satisfactory crops with less attention and expense than 
almost any other variety. Owing to the dryness of the atmosphere and the 
absence of irrigation, the fresh fruit loses comparatively little in drying, and 
it sometimes requires but two pounds of green fruit to produce one of dried, 
although the average probably is about two and a half pounds. Prunes have 
in occasional years sold as low as a cent and a half base, but the average price 
would be nearly, or quite, three cents. At this figure the best orchards will 
produce prunes that sell for $100 per ton, and during the season of 1911 one 
specially fine lot of this fruit was sold on a seven-cent base, which means 
that prunes running from forty to fifty to the pound brought eight and three- 
quarters cents, or $175 per ton. The Imperial prune has attracted consider- 
able attention in the last few years, owing to its very large size and fine flavor 
when dried. Grown from the nursery the tree is dwarfish in habit, but when 
top worked on large peach and apricot trees it acquires a spread and sufficient 
bearing surface so that exceedingly profitable crops are produced. Prunes 
ranging in size from twenty to thirty to the pound are a regular product of 
this variety and sell for prices ranging from ten to fifteen cents per pound. 
For some time after the introduction of this prune it was considered a com- 
mercial failure, but the right method of handling was not known, and it is 
believed that to Fred M. Buck belongs the honor of having discovered the 
proper method of treatment, and credit for producing the first perfect dried 
product of this variety. 

The acreage devoted to the growth of vines is not large when compared 
with that producing the varieties heretofore mentioned. In the low range of 
foothills east of Vaca valley there are several hundred acres of vineyards and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 129 

there are still quite a number in the valley proper. It is probable, however, 
that the output of grapes will not aggregate more than two hundred cars per 
annum, but as these are nearly all very early, satisfactory prices are received, 
and the industry is a paying one. Nearly all varieties do well here with the 
exception of the Muscat, which is a notoriously shy bearer in this section of 
the state. It is also a poor shipper, owing to the extreme thinness of its skin. 
The varieties most generally grown are Fontainbleau, Rose of Peru, Tokay, 
Cornichon, Emperor, and, to a limited extent, Malagas. As has been noted 
before, the phylloxera has been a recognized pest in the valley for nearly forty 
years, but notwithstanding this there are a number of vineyards thirty or 
more years of age still flourishing. A few plantings have been made on the 
so-called resistant roots, some on the native Californica and others on the Ru- 
pertists of St. George, but it has been generally found that better fruit is pro- 
duced by vines growing upon their own roots than on any of the resistants, 
with the possible exception of the Californica. In the early section of the 
rolling foothills an increased planting of grapes may legitimately be expected, 
but in the valley lands where the fruit ripens considerably later, it is only a 
question of time when they will be replaced with something more profitable. 
Practically every acre of land in these three valleys that is adapted to 
the growth of fruit has been planted either to orchard or vineyard ; this area 
has been estimated at about 15,000 acres of fruit lands. The average produc- 
tion for the past ten years would show an annual shipment of about 1,000 
carloads of fruit to eastern markets.- There is no way of estimating the quan- 
tity shipped to the local market of San Francisco, but it is probably safe to say 
that not less than two hundred carloads are disposed of annually there. Be- 
side the green fruit shipment large quantities are dried, as will be seen from 
the statement that during a number of years past the average dried fruit out- 
put has been 600 tons of apricots, 1,200 tons of peaches, 100 tons of pears, 
3.200 tons of prunes, 40 tons of almonds, 20 tons of English walnuts, 200 tons 
of figs. Measured in coin, the average return to the fruit growers of these 
valleys for many years past has been over one million dollars. When this 
splendid showing is considered in connection with the fact that for more than 
thirty years such a thing as a crop failure has been entirely unknown, it will 
at once be recognized that this section is one of the most favored on the globe. 
It is not true, of course, that the crop every year is a heavy one, but it is true 
that an entire crop failure has never been known. 

The shipping facilities of the valley are unexcelled. Several firms at 
Vacaville are engaged in the business of receiving and forwarding shipments 
to the various eastern markets, where they are sold for the benefit of the 
growers, who receive the full amount of their sales, less specified and thor- 
oughly understood charges to cover the cost of handling. San Francisco is 
but sixty miles away and furnishes a market for such fruits as become too ripe 
for eastern shipment. At the present time all shipments are made over the 
Southern Pacific railway, but an electric line is now in process of construc- 
tion and it will not be long before another outlet is offered to both San Fran- 
cisco and Sacramento, and at the latter city, connection can be made with 
other transcontinental lines, giving the advantage of the most complete dis- 
tribution possible to our products. 

At the present time the orchards and vineyards in this section can be 
bought for less money than in any place in the state of California enjoying 
similar advantages. In fact, there are many places where natural conditions 
are not nearly so favorable where naked land is selling for as much as will 
be asked here for good orchard property. The highest price ever paid in 
Vacaville for orchard is $600 per acre, and prices run from that down to $250. 
It is difficult to understand why, with all the advantages possessed by this 



130 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

section, that this condition should exist. It is one, however, that cannot con- 
tinue long, and some day orchards and vineyards here will sell for as high 
prices as any in the state ; with the improved transportation facilities that 
are now nearly within our grasp, this day is not far distant. 

Suisun Valley Fruits. 

There is no better land in the state than is to be found here. In quality 
it varies from sandy to clay loam with some adobe. Clay loam predominates, 
the sandy soil being almost always found along the creeks and in the low 
range of foothills to the east of the valley. The soil is very deep and rich, 
from forty to sixty feet being common, and its wonderful fertility is under- 
stood when it is known that the entire floor of the valley is made up of soil 
that has been washed in from the foothills for countless ages, bringing with it 
the stored-up riches of centuries of decaying- vegetation and leaf mold. Strong 
alkali is practically unknown, and in the valleys the soil runs more uniformly 
even than is generally the case in California. It is easily worked and, when 
given proper care and attention, has a wonderful faculty for storing up the 
moisture from the winter rainfall, making it available for the support of vege- 
tation through the long, dry summers. 

The orchards of Solano county are a source of vast wealth, not only in 
the value of the product itself, but in the employment of thousands of hands 
in the fields and packing houses, and in preparing and transporting it to mar- 
ket. The fruit section extends from Green valley through Suisun, Lagoon, 
Vaca and Pleasants valleys and their adjacent hills to Putah creek, the county 
• boundary, and along the banks of that stream in a belt from two to six and 
eight miles wide for a distance of twelve or fifteen miles to the Yolo basin, 
which forms the eastern boundary of the county. In this splendid fruit belt 
are over a million trees, deciduous and citrus, with fruit ripening every month 
in the year. Being the first marketed in the several varieties the highest price 
is always obtained for the fresh product, while the dried fruit, raised on non- 
irrigated land, gives the highest percentage of marketable product, some va- 
rieties losing but half their weight in evaporation. The knowledge gained by 
study and experience is utilized in handling and grading the fruit, which is 
sold at a large profit throughout the United States. Great quantities of fruit 
are taken by canneries and carried to the consumer in that form, adding to 
the wealth of the grower, besides giving employment to hundreds of people. 

At the inception of the business the labor employed was almost entirely 
Chinese. These people furnish ideal laborers for horticultural pursuits. The 
Chinaman cannot be classed as a rapid worker, but he begins his work with 
rather a deliberate motion which is kept up continuously throughout the day 
and is just the same at night as in the morning. For work like picking and 
packing fruit this characteristic is a valuable one, as haste cannot be used if 
best results are to be obtained. Since the exclusion law went into effect the 
number of Chinese in the country has steadily decreased until now they cut 
very little figure, their place having been taken to a great extent by Japanese 
and in a lesser degree by Hindus. The Japanese are good laborers in the 
orchards and vineyards. They are bright and enterprising and are much 
quicker in their motions than the Chinese. They are also very ambitious, 
and this fact has raised them from the rank of laborers to that of employers. 
They are always anxious to lease fruit properties and do lease a great many 
of them, employing their own people to do the necessary work, but do not 
hesitate to employ our own people as well whenever their interests demand it. 
The enterprise of these people, and their desire in time to become land owners 
on their own account, have made them generally unpopular with Californians, 
but they have filled a place in the labor of the country that would otherwise 
have been left unfilled, and while there has been great objection raised to 
them, it is a fact that the fruit and vegetable business of the state would have 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 131 

suffered most severely had it not been for their help. The Hindu is very un- 
popular, owing principally to his not over-clean habits, and is not likely ever 
to become a considerable factor in the labor problem of this section. During 
the last few years a considerable number of Spaniards have come into the 
country and are being employed in increasing numbers every season. They 
are very efficient help, and it is believed in time they will furnish a very con- 
siderable percentage of the people employed. With the opening of the Pan- 
ama canal in 1915, there is every reason to expect an influx of a large number 
of the better class of farm laborers from Italy, Spain and Portugal. These 
people furnish most desirable help and there is no doubt that they will aid 
materially in placing the fruit business of this section, as well as the whole 
state, on a better and more enduring basis than ever. 

The late Senator L. W. Buck, father of Frank H. and Fred M. Buck, 
was one of the first growers in California to risk the eastern shipment of his 
fruits. It was very largely owing to his sagacity, foresight and nerve that the 
business of eastern shipment immediately assumed commercial importance. 
At the time he began shipping, fruit was forwarded almost exclusively in ven- 
tilated cars and these were hauled on passenger trains as the freight service 
was entirely too slow to accommodate this class of business. Freight charges 
were very high, being $1,200 per car, and as the business began to assume 
increased importance, it was soon necessary for the railway company to limit 
the number of cars that could be placed in a train. The number was set at 
four, and in order to secure space it was necessary to arrange for same long 
before the fruit was ready. This probably furnished the first reason for the 
necessity for co-operation in eastern shipment, and Senator Buck at once be- 
came the leading spirit in the organization of the California Fruit Union, 
which was the first organized effort to band the fruit growers of California to- 
gether, Mr. Buck becoming the first manager of the organization and contin- 
uing so during its life. About the year 1889 the refrigerator car was first 
used in the transportation of California fruit. The experiment was made by 
the California Fruit Transportation Company, familiarly known as the C. F. 
T., in connection with A. T. Hatch of Suisun, at that time the largest grower 
of deciduous fruit in the state. The first car of fruit under ice was shipped 
from Suisun by A. T. Hatch, and also contained grapes of several varieties 
from the vineyard of the writer at Vacaville. These first shipments resulted 
disastrously to the shippers, as dealers in the east refused at first to buy the 
fruit, fearing it would spoil. It took one season to remove this false impres- 
sion, and that season's campaign cost the promoters a loss of over $10,000. 

In the early history of the business the apricot cut a very important figure, 
nearly one-third of all plantings being made to this variety. The Royal was 
most in favor and in fact was practically the only kind largely planted until 
quite recently, when the Hemskirk and Blenheim were found to be more desir- 
able. The small Pringle apricot is grown in a very limited way. In early 
years this variety was very popular, owing to the fact that it was practically 
the first fruit in season, coming immediately after the first cherries, which 
were then grown to a very limited extent. For many years splendid crops 
of apricots were grown and the quantity produced was so large that most of 
them were dried. Owing to the increasing scarcity of labor and constantly 
advancing price of same, and the further fact that other sections of the coun- 
try were growing apricots which would compete in the dried fruit market, less 
attention has been paid during the last few years to this variety and many of 
the orchards have been grafted into different varieties of plums and prunes, 
which can be marketed more profitably. The apricot is a long-lived tree and 
will flourish wherever the soil is suited to the peach. There are trees of this 
variety growing on the Pleasants place, in Vaca valley, which are known to 
be more than sixty years of age. 



132 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Nearly all varieties of the plum family do exceedingly well and plums 
and prunes are increasing in commercial importance here every year. Most 
attention is being paid to the larger varieties of plums which command ready 
sale in the east, and it has been found that the heavy soils of the valley will 
produce as large and fine French prunes as can be grown anywhere in the 
world. The plum season opens about the same time as that of apricots and 
continues well into August. Other varieties later than this could be grown, 
but ?re not profitable, owing to the competition of the same fruit from Oregon, 
Washington and Idaho. The principal varieties grown for eastern shipment 
are Clyman, Climax, Diamond, Wickson, Santa Rosa, Grand Duke, Hungar- 
ian or Gros prune, Burbank, Giant and Tragedy. Most of these are the so- 
called European varieties, but some of them, such as Climax, Wickson, Bur- 
bank and Kelsey, are of Japanese origin, all but the Kelsey being hybrids 
propagated by Luther Burbank, of Santa Rosa. While nearly all plums will 
ripen and be palatable, althoug-h picked from the tree before complete matur- 
ity, some of the Burbank varieties have this property developed in a high 
degree. 

Of pears the Bartlett is the principal variety grown here. The tree flour- 
ishes on ground that is too heavy and damp for most varieties, and grows with 
even greater vigor on better classes of soil. A peculiar thing is true of the 
Bartlett pear grown in this section. The earliest shipments are made from 
here ; a little later the crop from the Sacramento river, and following that, 
that of Suisun valley is harvested. AVhen shipment from these sections begins, 
the growers of Vacaville stop picking their pears and allow them to hang on 
the trees until nearly the middle of August. By that time the two other sec- 
tions have practically finished their shipment and a profitable field is left open 
for the Vaca valley product. These pears are of fine quality and splendidly 
adapted to shipping purposes, owing to their long keeping qualities. There 
are a few early varieties, such as the Comet, Lawson and Wilder, grown, and 
in former years some of the later varieties such as Winter Nellis were com- 
mon, but it has been found that the Bartlett is the best paying variety of all 
and cultivation is now almost entirely confined to it. Of all deciduous fruit 
trees the pear is unquestionably the longest lived, and there are trees standing 
on the Pleasants and Dobbins ranch which are undoubtedly over sixty years 
of age, still strong and vigorous and giving promise of rounding out more than 
a century of growth. 

While the fruits above enumerated are those principally grown, and of 
the most commercial importance, they do not by any means constitute the 
entire list. Oranges grow and flourish here nearly if not quite as well as 
further south. Lemon and grape fruit do not do quite as well, as they are 
more easily affected by frosts, which are not uncommon in the months of De- 
cember and January. Olives grow splendidly and the fig finds here a most 
congenial home. Some of the largest fig trees in the state are to be found 
in various places scattered throughout the valley, and annually bear immense 
crops of this delicious fruit. The apple is not extensively grown, but nearly 
every family orchard contains a few, early varieties doing very well. The 
later varieties bear abundantly, but, owing to the hot summers, ripen too 
quickly to have the long keeping quality that is desirable. The date palm 
flourishes and in occasional seasons, when the winters are open, ripens a very 
satisfactory quality of fruit. 

The almond tree grows well, and when varieties have been carefully 
chosen, has proven a satisfactory bearer. The English walnut also is success- 
fully grown. The California black walnut is splendidly adapted to the soil 
and climate of this locality, and when top worked to the English makes a 
magnificent tree in point of growth and productiveness. Walnut growing is 
increasing and will probably in the future assume considerable commercial im- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



133 



portance. The pecan also does very well. The trees attain a size and growth 
which are quite remarkable, and never fail to produce a crop of nuts, such a 
thing as a failure of this crop being entirely unknown. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES OF 

SOLANO COUNTY. 

By Frank A. Steiger. 

In describing the geological structure of Solano county it will be the object 
of the writer to confine his statements to a simple description of the general 
characteristics of the mountain and valley formation and to refer in a general 
way to the different geological changes which have taken place since the birth 
of the Coast Range mountains, of which Solano county is a part. 

Long before the age of man, probably several hundred thousand years 
ago. during the greater part of the age of mammals and at a date as far back 
as the age of reptiles, the Pacific ocean beat up against the western slope of 
the Sierra Nevada mountains ; and the Coast Range mountains as we now 
know them did not exist. 

The rivers of the ancient Sierras carried down to the ocean immense quan- 
tities of gravel, sand and silt. These sediments spreading out over the floor of 
the ocean gradually accumulated in stratified beds, forming a layer which has 
been estimated to have been at least five miles thick, the immense weight of 
which caused a sinking of the floor of the old ocean. 

Geologists claim that the addition of this extra thickness to the earth's 
crust caused the earth's interior heat and molten condition to rise, thus fur- 
ther weakening the already weak sedimentary strata until, under shrinking 
stresses or some other unknown force, the whole bed of sediment was com- 
pressed and crumpled and folded and forced up into a ridge of mountains, 
parallel to the shore line, and thus were the Coast Range mountains born of 
the Sierras. 

The formation of a mountain range by foulding, faulting and uplifting 
of the earth's surface is not in the nature of a tremendous convulsion in which 
the whole mountain range is suddenly raised from the depths of the ocean or 
from a level plain, but the process is a slow and gradual one, with possibly 
local disturbances in the nature of earthquakes, causing first one portion and 
then another to mount higher and higher until finally the general elevation 
ceases. The process is not a uniform one and probably some portions may be 
lowering while the mass in general may be rising. Evidently the different 
portions of the earth's surface are never at absolute rest. 

As soon as any portion of land is raised above the surface of the ocean 
the winds and rains and even the ocean itself begin to attack it and wear it 
away and the process of mountain sculpture begins. The softer strata are 
worn away most rapidly, leaving the harder ridges to stand as hills and moun- 
tains, while the rivers and creeks rapidly carry away the sediments to the sea 
or to fill up some river valley and thus form our rich, fertile soils. It was thus 
that the Coast Range mountains as we now know them were formed, and, 
what interests us more, it is thus that we account for the present geological 
features of Solano and Napa counties. 

The history of the ups and downs of Solano and Napa counties is recorded 
in the rock structure which is exposed in many places in the hills and moun- 
tains, and the geologist who makes a study of the relative positions of the rock 
strata and examines the fossil shells and prehistoric bones to be found in many 



134 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

places is able to judge of the relative age of the rock formation and to judge 
as to the upliftings and the depressions of the land at different periods since 
the birth of the Coast Range. 

Rock belonging to the original upheaval of the Coast Range at the close 
of the Miocene period is now found in many places and is characterized by 
beds of moderately hard sandstone, interstratified with thick beds of shale, all 
highly tilted so that the edges of these strata, particularly the sandstone, are 
now exposed and in many places form the crest of the hills or mountain ridges. 

A striking example of this formation, which geologists call cretaceous, is 
found in the Vaca mountains runninig north and south along the west side of 
Vaca valley and crossing Putah creek into Napa and Yolo counties. The beds 
of sandstone and shale comprising this range of mountains dip or slope down- 
ward to the east ; that is, down under the Sacramento valley. This is the gen- 
eral direction of the dip of the stratification of this older formation in this part 
of the Coast Range mountains, but in the neighborhood of Benicia and Vallejo 
and all along the Carquinez straits the uniformity of the dip has been inter- 
fered with by local movement of later date which has formed the break 
through the mountains through which the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers 
now drain to the ocean. Evidences of this secondary movement are to be 
observed from Mt. Diablo to the Golden Gate and the cretaceous strata in the 
neighborhood of Benicia has a decided dip downward under Carquinez straits. 

In the southwestern portion of Solano county, beginning a few miles 
north of Benicia and over a considerable portion of Napa county, this older 
stratification has been altered by heat and pressure into what is termed meta- 
morphic rock, so that it has lost its original characteristics and the stratifica- 
tion is no longer discernable. A considerable portion of this same territory 
has been covered by rock of a volcanic nature, the source of which is not 
known, but it is thought to have come from the north, possibly from Lake 
county. Much of it consists of volcanic ash or dust, which in places seems to 
have been deposited in and to have settled down through the water. This is 
the soft, light-colored rock that has been used for building purposes in the 
neighborhood of Rockville. Rock of similar nature is also found at the head 
of Pleasants valley near Putah creek. In places this volcanic ash or tufa is 
covered with a cap of hard basalt, as at Cordelia and at the head of Green 
valley. 

Within the limits of the city of Benicia is a deposit of fine sand and gravel, 
of very recent origin, which in many places contains fossil marine shells, and 
as these shells are now found many feet above the level of high water in the 
bay, we can see that the land in that neighborhood is now much higher than 
it was at one time, when evidently this portion, at least, of Benicia was beneath 
Carquinez straits. In these sand beds are also found the remains of the masto- 
don and of the prehistoric horse. 

The elevation of the land in this neighborhood as shown by the shells 
noted above is thought to indicate the last movement of the earth's surface 
that has taken place in this portion of the Coast Range. However, each earth- 
quake that has visited us during the last few years has caused more or less 
permanent disturbances, that is, rise or fall, of the earth's surface in certain 
localities, and it might be stated that an earthquake is but the manifestation 
of a movement of the earth's crust — severe at the point of greatest disturbance 
and less noticeable as we are further away. 

The character of the land formation in the level portion of Solano county, 
that is, the Sacramento valley, is difficult to determine, as the stratification is 
not exposed to view as it is in the hills and mountains. 

In general, the underlying structure, as determined by well borings, seems 
to be composed of sedimentary deposits brought down from the mountains, 



HISTORY OF SOLAXO AND NAPA COUNTIES 135 

but the depth of these deposits and whether formed by being deposited under 
water, or by streams emptying and spreading out over the land, is difficult to 
determine. 

Possibly the heavy clay and adobe soil found over large areas from the 
foothills to the tule is the old floor of the inland sea which existed when the 
land surface was lower than it is now and when the waters of the Pacific 
ocean extended up to the head of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and 
into Napa valley and all the small valleys about San Francisco bay. 

The fine sedimentary soil as found in the Dixon ridge country, in Vaca, 
Suisun and Napa valleys and at many other points, is the result of the out- 
pourings of the creeks coming down from the mountains. 

As an example of the manner in which soil is distributed by a creek, it 
is said that in the early history of Putah creek, before the restraining hand of 
man was laid on its wanderings, the creek bed was but a shallow depression 
and was heavily timbered. Opening out of the south side were numerous shal- 
low swales through which, during the rainy season, the flood waters flowed 
without hindrance and, crossing the country in a southeasterly direction, de- 
posited the sediments brought down from the mountains. Naturally these 
sediments accumulated most rapidly along the banks of the swales and the 
unconfined nature of the current allowed the bottoms of the swales to fill up 
as well, so that finally the streams were flowing in shallow troughs along 
the tops of ridges. Gradually these ridges built up higher and higher until 
finally the stream would break through the confining banks and seek to follow 
the lower ground, so that ultimately the whole section was covered with a deep 
deposit of sediment. The last channels occupied by the water before they were 
dammed off at their junction with Putah creek now appear as dry swales, hav- 
ing generally a southeasterly direction, while the earlier channels are indicated 
in many places by beds of gravel which are met with in well boring or which 
are opened and quarried to obtain gravel for road purposes. Putah creek not 
being allowed to spread out over the adjacent country during the periods of 
high water, was forced to cut the broad, deep channel which it now occupies, 
so that its present bed is many feet lower than formerly. 

Deep borings in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys indicate that 
these valleys have been filled up with sediment for many hundred feet and it 
seems probable that at one time these valleys were much narrower than at 
present and very much deeper. During that time, which was before the period 
of depression spoken of above, the whole continent was higher than now and 
the small valleys, such as Napa, Suisun and Vaca valleys, were worn down to 
the underlying bedrock and existed only as sloping mountain canons, which 
have been filled up, as the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys have been filled 
by sediment brought down from the mountains and deposited in the inland sea 
during the period of later depression and by the outpouring of the present 
creeks as described for Putah creek. 

There are but few geological features of particular interest from a pop- 
ular point of view in Solano county. Probably the most interesting is the bed 
of limestone at Cement, as that is the source of an immense industry, employ- 
ing hundreds of men. This deposit of lime rock has been forming during cen- 
turies of time and is the result of deposits from mineral springs. 

Mineral waters, because of the carbonic acid gas which they contain, are 
capable of carrying a certain proportion of dissolved mineral, such as limestone, 
and on exposure to the air the gas evaporates, leaving the mineral to be de- 
posited, ofttimes gradually building up to form immense beds, as at Tolenas 
Springs and at Cement. When conditions are right the mineral matter com- 
bines, as it is deposited, into compact crystalline form, giving us the so-called 
onyx, both white and banded, that is found both here and at Tolenas Springs. 

In early days limestone was quarried in the neighborhood of Benicia and 



136 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



being 1, impure, that is, containing a certain proportion of clay and silica, was 
burned to form a natural cement resembling the Portland cement of today. 
The quality and quantity of the rock are too uncertain to warrant present 
operation of the works, which still stand as a relic of the past. 

In the range of hills running north from the vicinity of Vallejo and Be- 
niHa, quicksilver has been mined at two places at least — at the St. John quick- 
silver mine and at the Hastings Mine, but the quantity is not great. 

Trap or basalt for road purposes is quarried at Thomasson, near Corde- 
lia, and Hoyts Station, near Benicia. Large beds of first-class trap exist at 
other points, but as yet have not been developed. 

N'ear Yacaville is a bed of Fuller's earth which has just been opened and 
which promises to be the source of considerable industry. 

Several attempts have been made to discover crude oil by deep boring, but 
as yet without success. 

Natural gas has been found at a point several miles south of Elmira and 
is utilized for fuel, being piped to Suisun. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 
THE NATIVE VEGETATION OF SOLANO COUNTY. 

By Dr. Willis Linn Jepson. 



Professor in the University of California — Author of A Flora of Western Middle California, 
The Silva of California and The Trees of California. 

The county of Solano possesses three very unlike floras. The flora of the 
valleys and plains, the flora of the mountains and foothills, the flora of the salt 
marshes. Its native vegetation is therefore varied and it is sufficiently rich to 
be highly interesting to the botanical traveler. In one particular there is a 
marked deficiency in native growth in that the county possesses no forests nor 
scarcely anything that may be called woods. There is, however, considerable 
woody vegetation in the way of scattered trees, and under the same category 
would be included the brush or chaparral. 

If one followed in early days the old Spanish trail in the Sacramento valley 
as it held southeastward toward Lagoon pass, his eye would have been met by 
wide-reaching utterly treeless plains, foothills mostly barren, and, rising above 
the foothills, purple-hued mountain ridges with long, remarkably unbroken or 
even skyline. It is only as the traveler approaches the foothills and mountains 
that he is attracted by the arboreous growth which is mainly confined to canons 
or to northeasterly slopes. 

There is only one pine in the county, the digger pine, a highly picturesque 
tree which has its best development with us in the hills between Putah creek 
and Putman's peak, but it extends also to Dunn's peak and ranges south in 
the Vaca mountains (mainly on the lower slopes) to the neighborhood of To- 
lenas Springs, giving name to Pine peak towards the head of Walker canon. 
The only other tree of the coniferous class is the California nutmeg which 
grows or once grew well up in Gates canon. This species has suffered heavily 
from repeated brush fires, as indeed have most other species represented by 
few individuals. The low seasonal rainfall, to be sure, would not in any case 
permit a heavy forest, but the extreme thinness of tree growth generally in So- 
lano county and the all but extinction of certain species has been caused by 
repeated fire devastation carried on during many past centuries. 

Our arboreous growth which has persisted consists almost wholly of oaks 
scattered over mainly grassy non-brushy hills, the most common ones being 
bkie oak, interior live oak and California black oak. These species grow in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 137 

the English and Araquipa hills, on the lower slopes of the Vaca mountains, 
south through the Tolenas hills and westward to the wide, open slopes of Twin 
Sisters peak bounding Suisun valley on the west. At that latter station the 
interior live oak meets the coast live oak, which comes in from the coast 
through the Benicia hills, where it is the common and well-nigh the only oak, 
and has here its easterly limit. These two oaks are indifferently called live oak 
by the people, but the coast live oak ripens its acorns at the close of the first 
summer, whilst the interior live oak matures its acorns only at the end of the 
second summer. 

The black oak is most common on Twin Sisters peak. In this region it 
has hybridized with the interior live oak and given rise to the form known to 
botanists as the Morehus oak. The leaf is not deeply cut as in a black oak, but 
shiny, strongly toothed and often suggesting a chestnut leaf. A "chestnut" 
type of tree stands on the road to the summit of Twin Sisters peak and rather 
near the foot of the grade from the valley floor. There is also a Morehus oak 
at the northerly end of Lagoon valley ; it stands by the county road on the 
banks of Laguna creek at no great distance from the Lagoon school. Both of 
the above trees are interesting trees and should be preserved. 

Our silva, otherwise, is very scarce in species and in individuals. There 
are a few big-leaf maple scrubs in Miller, Weldon and Gates canons of the Vaca 
mountains and many rather fine trees dappling the slopes of Twin Sisters peak. 
A few scrub madronas are found in Jameson canon not far from Cordelia, 
barelv entering our region from the west. There is a little clump of maul oak 
on the very summit of Mt. Vaca, and another on the summit of Twin Sisters 
ncak. 

Another rare tree with us is the white alder, which is mostly confined to a 
few deeo canons, such as Miller canon in the Vaca mountains. No other tree 
gives such charm to the mountain canons, whether one regards its entrancingly 
slender trunk or its white bark and green, airy crown. 

But of all trees in the local silva, there was none and is none to compare 
in landscape interest with the valley oaks — the oaks of the valley floors which 
have been so generally removed by the axe. These fine trees, with their tall 
crowns and wide-reaching branches ending in long pendulous cord-like sprays, 
which often sweep the ground, gave to the valley floor a certain noble aspect 
and distinction, a charm and even glory that stirs the senses and lifts the im- 
agination. 

But the fine groves of the floor of Vaca and Suisun valleys have given way 
to straight lines of orchard and vineyard, and the great oak trees, saving only 
scattered relics, are now among the things of the past. 

Although so scant in development, the oak stand of the hill country has 
had not a little economic value, in that it has been cut for fuel for sixty years. 
The writer has estimated that the hills have fed one hundred and fifty thou- 
sand cords to the plains people in that time. After the harvest time, I remem- 
ber as a child, the wagons heavily loaded with trunks of trees drawing out 
from the hills down the long road over the level, the hot dust rising, the heat 
lines quivering over the plain, and far on the horizon, lifted into the air above 
the Sacramento river, were trees and groves, streams and lakes, the whole a 
palpitating mirage. And that small lad wondered why trees should be pulled 
so wearily in that direction when trees were already there. 

Indeed, the alluvial banks of the Sacramento river support a narrow fringe 
of trees of many species. Here grow white alder, valley oak, interior live oak, 
western sycamore. Oregon ash, California black walnut, black willow, red 
willow and yellow willow. On account of the rich soil of the river banks and 
the abundant moisture, all these species grow thriftily and frequently develop 
remarkably fine individuals. 

To go back to the mountains. Typical chaparral consists of dense and 
mostly extensive colonies of shrubs, usually of several or many different kinds, 



138 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

but essentially similar in height and general aspect. In our county chaparral 
occurs abundantly on the Vaca mountains and sparingly on Twin Sisters peak. 
Such brush is with us mainly above fifteen hundred feet altitude. In the Vaca 
mountains it consists of buck brush, Jim brush, two species of manzanita, pea 
chaparral, hard tack (or mountain mahogany) and scrub live oak, with some 
other less typical species intermixed. Such shrubs are rigid, spiny and tough, 
forming a dense thicket which is well-nigh impenetrable, the despair of the 
hunter and the delight of the botanist. 

Chamise is a different sort of thing. It forms extensive and rather thin 
low thickets, often on steep south or west slopes, the typical colonies being 
always of one species, namely, Adenostoma fasciculatum. It is abundant at 
the higher altitudes in the Vaca mountains, a low dark-foliaged spreading bush 
Math very small leaf fascicles and clusters of small whitish flowers. 

The flora of the plains, as well as of the* valley floors, save for the scat- 
tered stand of oaks, is wholly herbaceous and the herbs are mainly annuals. 
In early days these plains and valleys were in the springtime a wonderful nat- 
ural garden, literally with a hundred flowers to the square foot, the whole in 
riotous abundance and running out across the low hills in streamers of yellow 
and of blue. In good years we still get a rejuvenescence in favored areas of the 
primitive growth. It takes many years of cultivating and pasturing to over- 
come completely the flowering plants that have for tens of thousands of years 
and more seeded and germinated and flowered under natural conditions. It 
was a rich inheritance for a child to have been born in such a wild garden and 
grow into a lad with the flowers rioting each springtime over his head, making 
for him a hundred ways and a thousand tempting fairy places, all aglow with 
color, all distinctive with delicate structures, all alive with curious interest. 

The high delicate flush of the springtime* as revealed by the flowers is all 
too brief. Hundreds of radiant living flowers arise and develop quickly — all 
at once. Lupines, cream cups, pop-corn flower, allocaryas, gilias, birds' eyes, 
clovers of many kinds, lasthenias, gold-fields, baby blue eyes, shooting stars, 
owl's clover, escobita, yellow pansy, buttercups, larkspurs — all these and many 
more come and go in a few short weeks. All those which have been mentioned 
are common species, all are widely distributed throughout the county, and all 
play their part, either in the wide splashes or in the little bits of color which 
in springtime focus the eye of the traveler. 

Of all our flowering plants none other attracts so much attention as the 
California poppy, and none other has, as it behaves with us, so long an active 
period. It begins to grow from the root with the first rains and in November 
or December the tufts of finely cut pale or bluish foliage dot the plain ; by 
March or April the plants are lifting great golden cups borne on stiffish erect 
stems, and from this time on the flowers are borne profusely nearly or quite 
until the rains break. While, our poppy is thus very remarkable for the length 
of its flowering period, it is even more remarkable for the curious changes 
which are brought about in the color of the petals as the sun passes northward. 
In March and April the flowers put forth solid golden petals, remarkable for 
their metallic lustre or sheen ; in May these wonderful structures are tipped 
with yellow, and as the summer runs on the flowers become much smaller and 
wholly pale yellow or straw color. Now, be it remembered that all these small 
pale flowers arise from the same root that bore the great golden cups of March. 
The writer in this matter has made his observations and collections from na- 
tive plants marked in the field and observed from season to season. 

So much for widely distributed and abundant flowers. There are, of 
course, many species found only in local or peculiar situations. It is only in 
the shade of trees or brush, in such places as Gates, Weldon and Miller canons, 
or in the upper Suisun valley, that one finds the beautiful crimson eucharidium. 
Chinese houses grow only in the foothills in openly wooded country. Scarlet 
bugle- is found on Dunn's peak. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



139 



On the plains, originally, and to some extent yet, are found little vernal 
pools which have no outlet. These dry up eventually and their contracting 
margins support in succession a number of peculiar plants; the delicate blue 
and white downingias, the red dwarf monkey-flower and several others with 
inconspicuous flowers. Finally in midsummer the beds of these pools are 
filled by the harsh growth of the native coyote-thistle. 

No account of the flora of Solano county would be complete without some 
reference to the vegetation of the marsh lands. The sedges, rushes and tules 
are the dominant plants, but these have as their associates a host of other 
plants, most of which, like the starry asters and goldenrods, burst into full 
bloom in October. This is the month when the Suisun marshes vie in floral 
luxuriance with the most favored spots of the plains in April. 

Only a very little may be told in so brief a space of the natural history of 
the native plants, but enough has been here set down to show their interest 
and variety. He who does not know the hills, streams and wild creatures of 
our county by so much is he ignorant of a wide field of true pleasures and de- 
lightful resources, by so much indeed is his outlook narrowed and restricted. 
For there be many who love this land of hills and plains and the native life 
which is here nourished, and to these life is made sweeter, the sympathies en- 
larged and the home loyalties deepened. Thus it is that when in foreign 
climes, heart-weary for the home sky, there comes in sleep visions of olden 
days, of the springtime cloth of gold spread between the river sloughs, of the 
sun lying warm and fair on the Benicia hills, and of the home-call of the quail 
in the Vaca chaparral. 



140 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



HISTORY OF NAPA COUNTY. 



By C. B. Seeley. 

The writer can select no locality more favorable for bringing to the notice 
of the reader a comprehensive view of the mountains and valleys of Napa 
county than some elevated point on St. Helena mountain. Standing within 
the county's extreme northern boundary and at an altitude of 4,500 feet above 
the sea level, Napa valley, over thirty miles in length and varying in width 
from one to five miles, stretches away in the distance until ultimately meeting 
the waters of the bay. On the west and near the city of Napa, Brown's valley 
with its attractive suburban homes nestles between low, cultivated hills on 
either side. On the east from the point of observation lies Pope valley, ten 
miles in length and from one to three miles wide. Then follows Chiles valley, 
six miles in length and of varying width from one to three miles, and beyond 
a range of intervening hills is to be seen Berryessa valley, ten miles in length 
and from one to three miles in width. Three smaller valleys may be men- 
tiond, namely: Capell, Gordon and Wooden valleys, which, with Berryessa, 
yield annually large crops of grain to the farmer. The streams in all the val- 
leys find an outlet to the bay either through Napa river or Putah creek, in 
Berryessa valley. 

On the western range of the valley appears Mt. Veeder, a prominent ele- 
vation named for a pioneer clergyman of those early days. On the east and 
near St. Helena is Howell mountain, an elevated plateau some miles in width 
and being noted for its favorable climatic conditions. Atlas peak is another 
elevation east from Napa and highly recommended as a health resort. Mt. 
George, a little farther south and belonging to the same mountain range, 
stands two thousand feet above the sea level and smooth at crest as the crown 
of its aged owner, A. Van Der Nailen, the distinguished author and scientist, 
who passes part of the year near his Radium Spring, whose waters, gushing 
from the mountainside, possess, as he claims, the "elixir of life," which con- 
fronts and repels the approach of advancing age. 

The flora of Napa county, plants indigenous to its uniform climate, are 
worthy of mention. There is scarcely a growth of any kind unfriendly to its 
generous soil. Here are to be seen nearly all the cereals as well as the decid- 
uous fruits familiar to the agriculturist; the apple, the pear and the peach, 
together with cherries, plums, prunes, apricots and grapes. Walnuts, almonds 
and olives are also grown throughout the county, while some of the semi- 
tropical fruits, such as the orange and lemon, are likewise to be noted, though 
as yet they are not of commercial value. But Napa's undisputed claim to the 
world's admiration is the charm of its beautiful scenery. Let the observer 
stand upon the summit of some elevation during the month of May and behold 
this far-famed valley in all its native grandeur. Its parallel ranges clothed in 
emerald with ever-changing shadows — vineyards, orchards and cheerful 
abodes where happiness abides, spring flowers with whose breath the winds 
are laden, crystal streams sparkling in the sun as they hurry to their ocean 
home, the gentle breeze from off the sea, vocal with the lark's liquid notes 
voicing his praise to early spring — all united in presenting a picture of such 
transcendent loveliness as to merit the words of that lover of the beautiful who 
thus paid tribute to an enchanted scene : 

"The landscape saw its Lord and smiled." 




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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 
Geology of Napa County. 



141 



The mineral deposits of Napa county are estimated at great value. Ledges 
containing both gold and silver, thus far only partially exploited, have been 
located on Mt. St. Helena. The quicksilver mines in Pope valley were 
profitably worked for many years. The Knoxville mines have also yielded 
returns to the stockholders in almost fabulous amounts. Lime, magnesia and 
several other minerals are also products of the county. Cement works with a 
capacity of 2.000 barrels per day are now operated near Napa. Mineral springs 
of great medicinal value abound in the mountain districts, while at the present 
writing drilling for oil is being prosecuted with every prospect of success. But 
it belongs to the geologist to fathom the geological history of this part of the 
globe. The casual observer can only be impressed with the fact that at some 
former period subterranean forces were in fierce conflict among these moun- 
tain fastnesses long before life appeared upon the planet. And so great were 
the upheavals in those primitive days that there are to be found rocks belonging 
to Silurian, Laurentian and Tertiary periods, strangely mingled in one common 
mass. Fossils are found on elevations far above the valley, evidencing a ma- 
rine origin of these ancient shells ; volcanic rocks of varied colors are also met 
with and numerous beds of lava attesting that at some remote period these 
mountain ranges were scenes of active volcanic disturbance. Of course no one 
can estimate, even approximately, the date when this warfare of the elements 
was raging, multiplied eons we may contemplate in retrospect ; no voice comes 
from the buried years; the shadow of oblivion is over all; we are looking into 
a past eternity, while the cycling centuries, like a moving pendulum, are mark- 
ing the seconds of the geologic ages. 

Soils of Napa County. 

The following facts respecting the soils of Napa county we have taken 
from portions of a very able address of Dr. R. H. Laughridge of the University 
of California : It appears there are three kinds of soil in the valley, the adobe, 
sandy loam and "foothill soil." The soil along the creek at Yountville and 
along Napa river is found to be of great depth. A chemical examination of the 
soils of Napa county shows the following results : Loam, St. Helena, potash 
high ; lime fair ; phosphoric acid fair ; humus fair. Loam near St. Helena, pot- 
ash very high ; lime fair ; phosphoric acid low ; humus good. Loam, Conn val- 
ley, potash fair ; lime good ; phosphoric acid low ; humus fair. Loam, Conn 
creek (W. E. Cole), potash good; lime fair; phosphoric acid good; humus low. 
Volcanic ash (P. Cole), potash low; lime low; phosphoric acid very low; hu- 
mus low. Foothill, Conn creek, potash good ; lime fair ; phosphoric acid fairly 
good; humus fair. Red soil, Rutherford, potash very high; lime fair; phos- 
phoric acid fair; humus fair. Loam, Yountville, potash high; lime good; phos- 
phoric acid fair; humus good. Loam, Yountville (Dunlap), potash high; lime 
fair; phosphoric acid good; humus good. Loam, south of Yountville (Daly), 
potash high ; lime fair; phosphoric acid fair; humus good. Brown loam, north- 
east of Napa (Somers), potash good; lime fair; phosphoric acid low; humus 
low. Adobe, north of Napa (A. L. Beard), potash good; lime low; phosphoric 
acid low; humus good. Hill soil, west of Napa (Moas), potash good; lime 
low ; phosphoric acid low ; humus fair. 

The elements considered by the learned doctor most essential as plant 
food are as follows : Potash, lime, phosphoric acid and humus ; and with re- 
spect to their application to soils in need of such fertilizers reference is made to 
the very able address of the gentleman recently given before the farmers' 
institute at Napa. 



142 HISTORY OF SOLANO AXD XAPA COUNTIES 

Below is given a table of the rainfall of Napa valley as taken from the rec- 
ords kept by W. A. Trubody for almost fifty years. This shows the precipita- 
tion to January 1 of each year and the total for the full season. These figures 
show that there have been dry seasons up to January and in various instances 
they have been followed by very wet spring months, thus bringing the total to 
the usual amount. 

Year. To Dec. 31st. Total. 

1866 15.47 34.30 

1867 21.22 s 46.00 

1868 _ 8.59 26.97 

1869 6.52 21.33 

1870 - 4.20 14.82 

1871 25.63 45.55 

1872 9.55 16.70 

1873 12.59 28.63 

1874 12.53 24.99 

1875 14.02 36.37 

1876 8.72 18.58 

1877 _ 5.38 40.93 

1878 4.43 30.32 

1879 - 11.30 33.88 

1880 15.43 35.56 

1881 8.26 _ _ 20.19 

1882 10.04 23.88 

1883 _ „ 3.34 29.19 

1884 _ 15.96 20.28 

1885 17.84 34.31 

1886 4.29 _.... 20.64 

1887 6.84 _ 20.19 

1888 13.52 30.91 

1889 26.40 _ 54.80 

1890 4.90 _ 22.66 

1891 10.25 28.55 

1892 18.88 : 34.51 

1893 8.13 _ : 26.96 

1894 16.65 36.26 

1895 : 5.98 33.67 

1896 _ 13.23 _ 29.60 

1897 6.50 14.59 

1898 _ 3.23 20.83 

1899 16.16 25.40 

1900 12.10 30.18 

1901 8.85 36.17 

1902 13.45 28.11 

1903 - 13.39 42.25 

1 904 1 4.1 1 34. 1 1 

1905 3.97 35.28 

1906 _ 10.24 33.98 



Total number inches 460.09 1,223.43 

Average fall to January 1 - 11.22 

Average fall for 41 seasons 29.84 

Land Grants in Napa County. 

The Caymus Grant. — To George C. Yount was ceded the first tract of land 
ever granted by the Mexican government to parties living in Napa county. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 143 

This grant comprises two square leagues, and was ceded to Mr. Yount by 
Nicolas Gutierrez, March 23, 1836. The board of land commissioners con- 
firmed the title February 8, 1853, and the same was confirmed by the United 
States courts July 7, 1855. The grant contains 11,814.52 acres. 

Oribi Napa Rancho. — This tract of land lay where the city of Napa now 
stands, and the grant was ceded to Nicolas Higuerra by Manuel Chico, May 
9, 1836. The claim to 80.48 acres of this grant was made before the board of 
land commissioners by Nathan Coombs, March 3, 1853, and his title was con- 
firmed by that board April 11, 1854, and by the courts March 2, 1857. 

Rancho El Rincon de los Carneros. — This tract of land lay to the west 
of Napa City. It was granted to Nicolas Higuerra, May 9, 1836, by Manuel 
Chico. The claim to it was filed before the board of land commissioners by 
Julius Martin, September 4, 1852. The board rejected the claim September 
19, 1854. The decree of the board was reversed September 2, 1856. This is 
a part of the Entre Napa Rancho and was bounded on the east side by Napa 
river and on the west by the Arroyo de los Carneros. The court confirmed 
the title of this tract of land May 15, 1857. It contains 2,557.68 acres. 

The Napa Rancho. — Salvador Vallejo and wife, Maria de la luz Carrillo 
Vallejo, filed their claim before the board of land commissioners, March 3, 

1853, for the title to the tracts of land known as the Trancas and Jolopa, 
containing 3,020 acres, more or less, being a part of the Napa Rancho granted 
to Salvador Vallejo, February 21, 1838, by Juan B. Alvarado, governor ad 
interim of Upper California, and approved by the departmental assembly 
September 23, 1838. The claim was confirmed by the board November 7, 

1854, and by the courts February 23, 1857. Mrs. Vallejo's interest in the 
property was conveyed to her by Narcisco Ramires, May 12, 1851, and covered 
3,178.93' acres. 

Julius K. Rose filed a claim before the board of land commissioners 
March 2, 1853, for 594.83 acres of the Napa Rancho. His claim was con- 
firmed by the board December 13, 1853, and reconfirmed by the court March 
2, 1857. Angus L. Boggs filed his claim to a part of the Napa Rancho March 
2, 1853, before the board of land commissioners. This claim was confirmed 
by the board April 11, 1854, and by the court March 2, 1857. It contains 
320.55 acres. 

The Yajone Rancho.- — This tract of land was granted to Damaso Antonio 
Rodriguez, March 16, 1841, by Juan B. Alvarado, then constitutional governor 
of the department of the Californias, and approved by the departmental as- 
sembly May 18, 1841. Claim to this land was filed by Salvador Vallejo 
before the board of land commissioners April 20, 1852, and was confirmed by 
the board February 21, 1853, and by the court February 9, 1857. It contains 
6.652.58 acres. 

The Locoallomi Rancho. — This grant of land was made by Manuel 
Jimeno. acting governor of California, to Julian Pope, September 30, 1841, 
and embraced 8,872.72 acres. The heirs of Pope filed their claim to the grant 
before the board of land commissioners March 2, 1853, which claim was con- 
firmed by the board August 1, 1854, and by the court August 25, 1856. This 
tract was located in what is known as Pope valley. 

The Tulucay Rancho. — This tract of land lies east of the city of Napa' 
and was granted Cayetano Juerez by Manuel Jimeno, October 26, 184 L and 
approved by the departmental assembly June 16, 1845. The claim of this 
land was filed with the board of land commissioners March 23, 1852, and con- 
firmed by the board April 11, 1853, and also confirmed by the court February 
25, 1856. The rancho contains 8,865.58 acres. 

Rancho Mallacomes, or Muristul y Plan de Agua Caliente. — This was a 
four-league grant made to Jose Santos Berryessa, October 14, 1843, by Manuel 
Micheltorena. The claim to the tract was filed before the board of land com- 
missioners February 20, 1852, and confirmed by that body June 27, 1854, and 



144 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



by the courts March 24, 1856. This rancho contained 17,742.72 acres and was 
situated near the head of Napa valley, embracing the present site of Calistoga 
and a part of the country adjacent thereto. 

Martin E. Cook and Rufus Ingalls as claimants to a portion of the above 
rancho filed their petition before the board of land commissioners February 
28, 1853, and the board confirmed their title to two square leagues of it August 
7, 1855. Their portion was located in the northwest part of the rancho and 
comprised 2,559.94 acres. The court confirmed the title on the 16th of April, 
1857. 

Rancho de la Jote. — This grant of land was made to George C. Yount 
by Manuel Micheltorena, October 23, 1843, comprising one square league. 
Mr. Yount, April 5, 1852, filed as claimant a petition with the board of land 
commissioners. The board rejected his claim October 21, 1853. An appeal 
was taken before the district court of the United States and the decree of the 
commissioners reversed and the claimant given a valid title for 4,453.84 acres 
of land. 

Las Putas Rancho. — This grant of land, comprising eight leagues, or 
35,515.82 acres, is situated in and covers the most of Berryessa valley. It was 
granted to Jose Jesus Berryessa and Sisto Berryessa by Manuel Micheltorena, 
November 3, 1843. The wives of the grantees, Maria Anastasia Higuerra de 
Berryessa and Maria Nicolosa de Berryessa, as claimants filed their petition 
before the board of land commissioners May 21, 1852. Their claim was con- 
firmed by the board September 5, 1854, and by the court August 13, 1855. 

The Huichica Rancho. — This grant was made by Jacob P. Leese in two 
parcels, as follows : First, for two leagues of land issued by Manuel Jimeno, 
October 24, 1841 ; second, for three and one-half leagues additional, issued 
by Manuel Micheltorena, July 6, 1846. The title to the rancho was confirmed 
by the board of land commissioner April 18, 1853, and by the court April 22, 
1856. It contained altogether 18,704.04 acres, situated southwest of the city 
of Napa. 

The Catacula Rancho. — This tract of land is located in Chiles valley and 
was granted Col. J. B. Chiles by Manuel Micheltorena, November 9, 1844. 
Claim to this grant was filed before the board of land commissioners April 
21, 1852, and confirmed by it November 4, 1853, and by the court August 13, 
1855. It comprises 8,545.72 acres of land. 

The Cayne Humena Rancho. — This tract of land comprised the whole of 
Napa valley lying north of the Caymus rancho, and was granted to Dr. E. T. 
Bale. It has gone through all the legal processes and a patent has been 
granted. 

The Chimiles Rancho. — This grant was made to Ignacio Berryessa by 
Pio Pico, May 2, 1842. William Gordon and Nathan Coombs, as claimants, 
filed their petition before the board of land commissioners April 28, 1852. The 
claim was confirmed by the commissioners April 11, 1853, and by the court 
July 27, 1857. 

The foregoing history of the various grants here mentioned I have copied 
in large measure from earlier histories of Napa county, familiar to those read- 
ers who have been privileged to read the records published by Menefee, 
Palmer and Canaga. 

The Napa State Hospital. 

The following named commissioners, to-wit: Judge C. H. Swift of Sac- 
ramento, Dr. G. A. Shurtleff of Stockton and Dr. E. T. Wilkins ofMarys- 
ville, were appointed by Governor Booth to select a site for the building of a 
state asylum for the insane, and on August 2. 1872, the said commissioners 
filed their report with the governor, having selected Napa as the site for said 
building. 

Appropriations by the legislature were made from time to time until the 







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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



145 



main structure was completed, the cost aggregating $1,500,000. Several 
buildings, properly adjuncts to the main structure (two infirmaries, the re- 
ceiving and treatment building and four cottages to be occupied by the super- 
intendent and his associate physicians), were afterwards erected. All depart- 
ments are well equipped and an important accessory is an abundant water 
supply. At the present time (1911) 2,000 patients are maintained and cared 
for in the institution. Payroll and claims together amount to $24,000 each 
month. Present board of managers : Emmett Phillips, H. N. Meacham, 
T. B. Dozin, J. H. Steves and Richard Belcher. Dr. E. E. Stone, superin- 
tendent, and L. T. Hamen, treasurer and secretary. 

The Veterans' Home. 

This home, for all honorably discharged soldiers of the Mexican, Civil and 
Spanish wars, was incorporated in 1882. Nine hundred and ten acres are 
included in the home property and the cost of same was $17,750. The aggre- 
gate cost of improvements at the home since its establishment has been 
8425,000, and annual cost of maintenance at present $210,000. Number of 
soldiers present at this date (1911), nine hundred and seventy. 

The buildings are heated by steam and lighted by electricity, every de- 
partment being well equipped for the convenience and comfort of the inmates. 
Sanitary conditions have not been neglected by the management of the insti- 
tution, while every detail has been carried out looking to a peaceful sojourn, 
while they live, of the brave and honored defenders of their country's flag. 

The County Infirmary. 

The first structure of the County Infirmary was erected by Beeby Rob- 
inson & Son in 1869. The building is located on twenty acres of land owned 
by the county, a short distance westward from the city limits. An additional 
building has been added to the main structure and known as the hospital 
annex, in which insane patients are temporarily confined for examination by 
the examining board, prior to being committed to the Napa State Hospital. 
A still further addition is soon to be made to the infirmary by the erection 
of a stone structure at a cost not to exceed $15,000. Present superintendent, 
Eugene Webber. Number of patients in the institution, forty-eight. 

Railroad History. 

March 26, 1864, a bill to aid the construction of a railroad in Napa county 
was introduced by Chancellor Hartson in the legislature, providing that 
bonds in the amount of $225,000 be issued by the board of supervisors for 
such purpose. The bill was duly passed and on April 24, 1864, approved by 
the governor. Under its provisions the bill was to be submitted to a vote of 
the people for their indorsement. The election was held May 11, 1864, result- 
ing in the approval of the bill by a large majority. The interest on these 
bonds was to be paid by a tax of twenty-five cents on each $100 valuation of 
property in the county. The law also provided that in the year 1870 and 
every year thereafter until the bonds were all paid the board of supervisors 
may levy a tax not to exceed twenty-five cents on the dollar for the creating 
of a fund to be known as the "Railroad Fund," to be used in the payment of 
said bonds. Soon after election the Napa Valley Railroad Company was or- 
ganized and elected the following officers : President, C. Hartson ; vice-presi- 
dent. A. Y. Easterby; treasurer, Sam Brannan ; secretary, A. A. Cohen. On 
June 13, 1864, the board of supervisors in compliance with the law subscribed 
the amount of stock authorized by the statute ; outside subscriptions amount- 
ing in the aggregate to $61,600 were also made by private parties. 



146 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

At the first annual meeting of the company the following officers were 
elected: President, A. Y. Easterby; vice-president, R. B. Woodward; secre- 
tary, A. Badlam, Jr. ; treasurer, Sam Brannan ; directors, S. Brannan, A. Y. 
Easterby, C. Maynes, J. H. Goodman, John Lawley, C. Hartson and R. B. 
Woodward. 

On January 25, 1866, a bill was passed by the legislature directing a spe- 
cial election to be held on the third Wednesday of February, 1866, for the 
purpose of voting on the proposition of taking stock in the railroad by the 
county to the extent of $10,000 per mile for each mile of the road remaining 
unfinished. The proposition was defeated at the polls by an overwhelming 
vote. On April 2, 1866, a bill was passed providing that an election be held 
for the purpose of deciding whether or not the county should donate to the 
railroad the entire amount of bonds previously issued by the board of super- 
visors. The election was held September 5, 1866, and while the proposition 
to donate was lost by two votes, it appears to be a fact that the stock in some 
way not clearly of record ultimately passed into the hands of the railroad 
company. Subsequently another bill was passed by the legislature requiring 
the board of supervisors to issue bonds to the amount of $30,000. The board 
of supervisors refusing to comply with the requirements of the bill, a suit in 
mandamus was brought by the railroad company, which was afterwards de- 
cided in the company's favor by the supreme court of the state. 

The name of the railroad has been changed at least twice during the last 
forty-five years. At one time it was called the California Pacific. It now 
belongs to and is an important feeder of the Southern Pacific corporation. Its 
value to Napa county can not be overestimated, likewise its worth as a source 
of revenue to its present owners. 

The Electric Railroad. 

On April 22, 1902, the Vallejo, Benicia and Napa Valley Railroad Com- 
pany was incorporated to construct an electric railroad from Benicia through 
Vallejo. the Napa valley and into Lake county, and in July, 1905, the road 
was operated between Napa and Vallejo and in conjunction with steamboat 
service six round trips per day were made between Napa and San Francisco. 

In July, 1906, the San Francisco, Vallejo and Napa Valley Railroad Com- 
pany was incorporated, took over the property of the Napa Valley Railroad 
Company and constructed the line from the northerly limits of the city of 
Napa to St. Helena, and the railroad since 1908 has been operated between 
St. Helena and Vallejo, a distance of thirty-four miles. Its passenger cars 
have a seating capacity for sixty-two people and are capable of maintaining 
a high rate of speed. At the present time a schedule of thirty trains a day is 
maintained. The effect this railroad has had upon the development of both 
city and county is shown by the large increase in population immediately 
following its completion. The marked reduction in transportation rates since 
the electric road was fully established has proved a great boon to the travel- 
ing public. This property was reincorporated in November, 1911, under the 
name of the San Francisco, Napa and Calistoga Railroad Company, with a 
capitalization of $2,000,000. The line is rapidly being extended to Calistoga. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 147 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 
VITICULTURE OF NAPA COUNTY. 

By Geo. C. Husmann, M. Ag. S. 

There are numerous references of small, apparently earlier, plantings of 
vines in Napa county, but the first record of a small vineyard is one of Mis- 
sion grapes planted by J. M. Pachett in 1850. The first shipment of wine, 
consisting of six casks and 600 bottles, was made in 1857. 

Napa county is one of California's brightest viticultural gems. It was 
one of the first counties to cultivate grapes for wine purposes, and because the 
soil, climatic and other conditions are particularly suited for the production 
of choicest quality dry wines, both red and white, especially superb dry white 
wines, and besides this having been blessed with a lot of whole-souled, enthu- 
siastic viticultural pioneers, Napa county has from the first been a recipient 
of highest honors along this line and has always sustained that reputation. A 
committee sent out by the State Board of Agriculture reported that in 1850 
S. Thompson of the Suscol Nurseries in Napa county had 3,000 vines in bear- 
ing which were very successful. The important early impetus to viticulture 
in Napa county was given by Charles Krug, who planted twenty acres in 
vines in 1858 and made the first wine in Napa county for J. M. Pachett on a 
small press constructed by himself, and in 1860 made 5,000 gallons of wine 
for Colonel Yount, the old pioneer at Yountville. 

In 1862 Dr. G. B. Crane and Charles Krug erected their first diminutive 
wine cellars. In 1870 Dr. Crane built a concrete cellar 44x75 feet, and Mr. 
Krug a large cellar at Krug Station. The Lyman cellar, 30x100 feet, and two 
stories high, was erected in 1871, and J. Backus in 1872 completed a 30x80- 
foot concrete cellar. Early in the '70s the following had extensive vine plant- 
ings in Napa county : J. J. Segrist, F. H. Roeder, Dr. Lockwood and William 
Woodward in Browns valley, near Napa; W. H. Winter, on Huichica creek; 
G. Groetzinger, Burrage & Tucker, Terrel Grigsby, George Linn and Charles 
Hopper, near Yountville ; H. W. Crabb, Judge Hastings, J. Benson, William 
Baldridge, Stoneberger, J. C. Davis and Eli Lewelling, near Oakville ; J. H. 
McCord and Mr. Vann, near Rutherford; T. B. Lyman, J. Backus, Pellet & 
Carver, John York, Charles Krug, Jacob Schram, Dr. D. K. Rule, John Lew- 
elling, Dr. G. B. Crane and J. Weinberger, near St. Helena; Dr. R. Garrett, 
near Calistoga, and Gen. E. D. Keyes in Sulphur Spring canon; the assessor's 
report showing 2,324,545 vines in bearing. 

Of those who had erected wine cellars in the beginning of the '70s should 
be mentioned Messrs. Pellet & Carver, Giague Brothers, J. Backus, Jacob 
Schram, David Fulton, J. Weinberger, William Scheffler and T. B. Lyman, 
near St. Helena; H. W. Crabb, Oakville; G. Groetzinger, Messrs. Burrage & 
Tucker, near Yountville; J. J. Sigrist and Dr. Lockwood, in Browns valley; 
William H. Winter, on Huichica creek, and G Migliavacca and Van Bever 
& Thompson at Napa. These are some of the beginnings, and as the wines 
of Napa county were classed among the best dry wines of the state, grape 
growing and wine making progressed rapidly during the next fifteen years, 
so that Napa valley from Napa to above St. Helena became almost a contin- 
uous vineyard. 

The decade from 1870 to 1880 was the most prosperous of Napa county's 
viticultural career. The presence of the phylloxera in the vineyards had not 
become known; the vineyards were yielding good crops of grapes, bringing 



148 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

from $20 to $40 per ton, and wines that many cents a gallon at wholesale, and 
those engaged in viticulture were making money fast. 

Since the first small vineyard was planted in 1850 such remarkable strides 
had been made that in 1870, 297.670 gallons of wine and 3,990 gallons of brandy 
were made; in 1875, 716,189 gallons of wine and 12,000 gallons of brandy were 
made, and there were about 2,640 acres in vines and in 1880 there were 3,400 
acres in vines, 2,460,000 gallons of wine and 60,000 gallons of brandy produced. 
The growth of the industry was even more pronounced the next few years ; 
in fact, people seemed to have gone wild on grapes, so that in 1886 there were 
4,468,000 gallons of wine, 102,322 gallons of brandy, or about 40,000 tons of 
fresh grapes produced in Napa county. The number of cellars and distilleries 
increased in number so there were fifty-four cellars, with about 10.000,000 
gallons of cooperage and thirty-nine distilleries in operation. However, while 
the acreages and gallonages were increasing at this tremendous rate, compar- 
atively little effort had been made towards extending the market for grapes 
and grape products and ruinous prices were the result. Prices were so low 
that in many instances hogs were turned in to harvest the crop. Planting of 
vineyards had come to a standstill. 

It is said misfortunes never come single handed. In this instance, while 
all these troubles were to be met, phylloxera vestatrix, or root louse of the 
vine, was making serious inroads into the vineyards of the state, and from 
1889 to 1892 at least 10,000 acres of vines had been destroyed by it between 
Napa and St. Helena in Napa county, and this destruction continued in suc- 
ceeding years until all the original vineyards of vinifera on their own roots 
were destroyed. A period of depression was at hand all over the state, from 
which the industry did not rally until 1890, and was then only saved by heroic 
* and concerted action of all parties interested. 

Among some of the important events that brought order out of chaos art 
the following: An order was given to Prof. George Husmann, then of Colum- 
bia, Mo., by James W. Simonton for 120,000 cuttings of promising resistant 
grape varieties to be placed in nursery and vineyard near Napa under the direct 
supervision of Professor Husmann. These and his able writings played an 
important part in the early reconstruction of Napa county vineyards, as well 
as those of the entire state. The building of the Bourne or Greystone cellar, 
near St. Helena, resulted from an effort to make room for future vintages and 
store the steadily accumulating quantities of Napa county wine until markets 
could be found for them. In 1880 the California State Viticultural Commission 
was called into existence. The respective commissioners from Napa county 
were Charles Krug, E. C. Priber and H. W. Crabb, in the order named. It was 
largely through them that a cream tartar factory was established at Napa in 
1891 or 1892, and another one some years later at Rutherford. In 1893 the 
State Viticultural Commission established an experiment vineyard for the 
testing of resistant graoe stocks on H. W. Crabb's place at Oakville, Cal., but 
this had only been established one year when the commission was abolished. 

The status of Napa county's viticultural industry of more recent years is 
shown by the following figures : 

Acres in Acres in non- Gallons of Gallons of 

Year. bearing vines, bearing vines, wine produced, brandv produced. 

1891 11,285 1,500.000 

1895 5.465 1,550,000 

1900 2.000 2,738 1,325.000 18,400 

1905 6,500 2,400 2.658.000 22.000 

1910 11,270 4,840 3.035.400 9,750 

Since 1901 the prices of grapes have varied from $9.50 to $30 per ton, the 
average during the entire time being about $15 per ton. The annual figures 
for the last twenty years show a rapid decrease in non-resistant vineyards the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



149 



first five years. The next five years the acreage in bearing did not vary greatly, 
due to non-resistant vineyards dying and partly resistant and partly non-resist- 
ants being planted to take their place. Since then the growth has been con- 
stant, the present acreage being mostly on resistant stock. 

In 1890 there were more than one hundred cellars and thirty-five distilleries 
in the county. A large number of these have since gone out of business, but 
those that remain have gradually increased their capacities and installed im- 
proved modern machinery and appliances, so that the cellars and distilleries 
operating now are better able to handle the output of the vineyards, amounting 
to about three million gallons annually, than the former larger number of estab- 
lishments were able to do. Among the larger establishments of this kind now 
in the county should be mentioned the Uncle Sam Winery, Migliavacca Wme 
Co., Gier Wine Co., Lombardi Wine Co., Christian, and Repsold & Co. at 
Napa ; the Eshcol, at Oak Knoll ; the To-Kalon Vineyard Co., Brun & Chaix, 
Scabiaque, at Oakville ; Ewer, French-American Wine Co., Harris, de Latour, 
at Rutherford; Wheeler, Rossi, Brokhoff, and Sutter Home, near Zinfandel; 
Greystone Winery, Berringer Bros., and Krug Winery, at St. Helena; Sala- 
mina. at Larkmead; Pacheteau, Picket, Light, Bornhorst, Grimm, Tubbs, 
Walsh, and Kortum, at Calistosfa. 

An important event in 1903 in Napa county's viticultural history was 
the establishment by the United States Department of Agriculture of one of 
its most important experiment vineyards at Oakville. The experiments in 
this have been enlarged from year to year, so that it has become a place of 
broad viticultural research. In it have already been assembled and are grow- 
ing in regular checks for comparison and study about 300 vinifera varieties 
grafted on different resistant stocks, nearly 300 varieties of direct producers 
and resistant stock varieties. 

Napa county's viticultural industry is now on a better and more substan- 
tial footing than it has ever been. The name and fame of Napa wines are well 
established. Millions are invested in vineyards, cellars, cooperage, etc. 

The United States Department of Agriculture experiment vineyard, 
demonstrating just what resistant stocks to plant and what vinifera varieties 
to graft on them, is located in the heart of the county. Knowing what to do 
and how it should be done, it is up to those who now plant Napa county vine- 
yards and make Napa wines, to infuse even more life into the industry and 
make it hum with activity. It should be remembered that medals and prizes 
won by us in competition with the foremost viticultural grape countries of 
the world at international exhibitions, California has proved that as fine wines 
are produced in the state as are made anywhere, and that Napa dry white 
and red wines are second to none. 



150 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE TREES, SHRUBS AND FLOWERS OF NAPA VALLEY. 

By Dr. Willis Linn Jepson, 

Professor in the University of California, Author of The Trees of California, A Flora of 
Western Middle California, and The Silva of California. 

Napa valley is a long and narrow valley bounded by two parallel moun- 
tain chains, the Napa range on the east and the Mt. Hood range on the west. 
The sides of these ranges are much broken by deep canons and their feet 
indent irregularly the plain-like level which forms the floor of the valley. 
The interest and charm of the valley rest primarily upon the topographic 
features of the mountains and valley, but these would be as nothing without 
the native vegetation which gives life and color to a region that would other- 
wise be dead and barren. Even on the valley floor the native trees and 
shrubs have persisted or been preserved to a degree sufficient to impart a 
sense of wildness to almost every part of it. Man has his habitations every- 
where, but the native things have not been sedulously and industriously 
combed and brushed out of every part. And so it is that of all valleys in 
the coast ranges, Napa valley is the one most lovely in quiet beauty, most 
varied and changing in outlook, and most pleasing in its greens of woodland 
and purples of mountain chaparral. 

The most abundant and widespread tree and the one which most influ- 
ences the landscape is the Douglas fir, which not only crowns the low conical 
•hills bounding the main floor, but is everywhere common in canons and on 
hill slopes, particularly on north or east exposures. It is also found on How- 
ell mountain and elsewhere on the summits east and west of the valley. This 
tree must have moisture and protection, but it is fairly tolerant, as is shown 
by its local distribution. 

The local distribution of the trees in our region possesses not a little 
interest. Some species grow on the summit of the ridges and also on the 
valley floor, but not in the too dry intervening region. Yellow pine is an 
example. This species has a yellowish trunk with the bark checked into 
rather broad plates, and bears small cones. It grows rather abundantly on 
the Howell mountain plateau south of Angwin's and forms, or at one time 
formed on that mountain, a very fine forest. It also grows on the valley 
level. The new town park of the town" of St. Helena and of Hunt's Grove 
contain some good examples of this species. The California black oak, a 
deciduous tree with broad lobed leaves with bristle points, tends to follow 
the general law which controls the distribution of the yellow pine, but it has 
a wider range. It grows on the summits of the Napa range and the Mt. 
Hood range ; it is frequent on the low hills and in a few places on the valley 
floor, but is mainly or altogether absent along a broad band between the 
foothills and the summit of the main ridges. On the valley floor the finer 
trees belong mostly to the upper valley. 

One of the most distinctive trees in our valley is the coast live oak, with 
its thick evergreen foliage and rounded heads. It is still fairly common. The 
valley oak, which at one time gave to the valley floor the veritable appearance 
of a royal park land, still offers fine examples about Rutherford and in the 
upper valley. The digger pine grows in a few places on the valley floor in 
the upper valley, and more abundantly on the drier slopes in both ranges. 
The big-leaf maple, also called Oregon maple, one of the choice trees of 
our woodlands, is fairly abundant on the low hills on the west side of the 
valley, but also grows in canons everywhere in our district. Its coloration in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



151 



the fall is the chief charm of the autumn woods. But of all our trees none is 
surpassed in color charm by that "sylvan masquerader," the madroha ; its 
crown of white flowers, its beautiful burnished foliage, its handsome pink or 
red limbs with their smooth fleshlike texture, its variety of branching and of 
form give to it an individual and never-ending interest. The madroha grows 
on rich slopes and is an associate of the black oak and Douglas fir and is 
thus widely distributed. In strong contrast to the aspect and habit of the 
madroha is the blue oak, often called mountain white oak, with its sparse 
steel-blue foliage, its white trunk and rough-barked crooked limbs. It favors 
the rockiest and driest slopes, frequently grows by itself, as on the slopes 
near Conn valley, but is often an associate of the digger pine. In winter, or 
in the dull light of other seasons, the gnarled trees sometimes suggest apple 
trees in an old orchard. 

One of the most interesting members of the silva of Napa valley is the 
redwood. On account of water requirements its distribution is strictly local- 
ized. It is found in nearly all the deep canons on the west side of the valley, 
but in none of those on the east side. It does, however, reappear in a re- 
stricted area in the Napa range on the easterly and lower slopes of Howell 
mountain. This station is of importance in consideration of the geographical 
distribution of the redwood, since at no other station does it occur so far from 
the sea. 

The list of trees in our silva may be completed by mention of the Oregon 
ash and red (an Oregon) alder, species which grow along streams ; incense 
cedar, a few trees near Mt. St. Helena; California nutmeg; yellow willow, 
red willow, white willow ; maul oak, a tree of deep canons, known by its 
small leaves, some entire and some toothed on the same branchlet ; tan oak, 
frequent in the same canons occupied by the redwood ; California laurel, in 
the eyes of many people the finest of our trees ; California buckeye, notable 
for its masses of flowers and pear-like hanging pods ; blue elderberry and 
western dogwood. I have never seen the Fremont cottonwood nor western 
sycamore in the valley as native trees. 

Perhaps no region in California is more notable for its wealth of native 
shrubs than the Napa river basin. Some are of chief interest because they 
enter into the formation of the extensive chaparral of our mountains ; others 
for the beauty and structure of their flowers and seed pods. We have three 
species of manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita, tomentosa and Stanford- 
lana). The latter (Arctostaphylos Stanfordiana) is a local species on Howell 
mountain and Mt. St. Helena, where it was discovered long ago by the ex- 
plorer, Dr. C. C. Parry, and named in honor of Senator Stanford. It is a dis- 
tinctive species with pink flowers slightly smaller than in the common man- 
zanita, its leaves also smaller and a brighter green. It is species peculiar to 
the Napa range and its northerly extension, the Mayacamas range. 

The genus Ceanothus is represented by eight species, Parry lilac (Cean- 
othus Parryi), a very handsome species when in full flower in May; Ceano- 
thus foliosus. which grows on Mt. St. Helena; Ceanothus sorediatus; Ceano- 
thus incanus. local near Mt. St. Helena ; buck brush (Ceanothus cuneatus) ; 
Ceanothus Jepsonii ; Ceanothus purpurea, local between Eagle peak and Mt. 
George ; Ceanothus prostratus var. divergens (local on Mt. St. Helena) ; 
Ceanothus velutinus var. laevigatus (Mt. St. Helena). 

The chaparral formation of the higher mountains is composed mainly of 
scrub oak, scrub live oak, pea chaparral, hard tack (or mountain mahogany), 
manzanita. buck brush and various species of Ceanothus. The chaparral 
formation is, thus, a mixed formation, where many different kinds of shrubs 
are associated, their similarity residing in their small, often prickly, leaves, 
rigid, often thorny, branches and limited stature, features resulting from the 
conditions of growth on rocky arid slopes. 



152 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Chamisal is a formation entirely distinct from chaparral ; it is a pure 
formation, composed of only one species called chamise. Chamise is a low 
bush, the long branches clothed with clusters of single somewhat needle-like 
leaves. Chamise most commonly favors abrupt southerly or western slopes 
and gives a heath-like aspect to the regions it occupies, which are usually 
destitute of springs. 

The glowing treasure of the hills in November and December is Christ- 
mas berry (Heteromeles arbutifolia). This shrub is widely distributed in 
California, but I have not seen it developed so finely nor so abundantly else- 
where. The largest shrubs grow along the bottoms of canons and gulches and 
in little flats, but it is on arid or rocky slopes that one finds the shrubs which 
bear the showiest berries and heaviest bunches. 

Other shrubs that will attract the eye of the intelligent traveler are : 
western red bud, June berry, western choke cherry, Sierra plum, oso berry, 
common blackberry, thimble berry, California wild rose, wood rose, nine- 
bark, California meadow sweet, Amorpha californica and bear brush. 

The herbaceous plants of Napa valley add a wealth of charm to its fields, 
open hills and wooded slopes. These are so numerous that it is possible to 
mention but comparatively few species. The lily family is represented by the 
chaparral lily, a tall lily with bell-shaped white flowers turning pink and one 
and one-half to two inches long; scarlet fritillary, a most handsome species 
growing in both ranges ; mission bells, a dark-flowered fritillary flowering in 
March woods ; yellow Mariposa lily, a showy golden species of open ground 
in late May; golden lily bell (or fairy lantern), an equally showy species; 
Calochortus uniflorus, in wet lands at Calistoga ; harvest brodiaea, with its 
dark purple flowers rising through the dry grass in May and June ; twining 
brodiaea, lifting its pink heads above bushes by means of its curious twining 
stems which are often eight feet long; ookow and grass nut (other species of 
brodiaea), and white brodiaea. Camass is found in a few wet meadows near 
Rutherford, while the fairy bells (disporum Hookeri) grow in the woods. A 
curious lily is the soap plant. It has a large bulb covered by a heavy dense 
coat of brown fibres and a tuft of long narrow leaves at the ground. The flow- 
ering stem is as tall as a man or taller, practically leafless, but bears many 
branches which produce an abundance of flowers which open only in the aft- 
ernoon. The bulb has saponaceous qualities, a fact known to the Indians and 
Spanish-Californians who put the "roots" to practical use. Bear grass grows 
in the chaparral of higher ridges. It sends up only one shoot, which bears a 
multitude of white flowers. It is said to bloom only once in five or seven 
years. In the woods of our valley are found two trilliums, trillium sessile 
var. giganteum and trillium ovatum. In the bay region generally the former 
most commonly has blood-red flowers, although white flowers are frequent. 
In Napa valley only the white-flowered form has been reported. The latter 
species has smaller white flowers which change to rose-red. On the west 
side of the valley in the dry hard ground of the foothills grows another lily, 
odontostomum hartwegii, that might be overlooked by the casual passerby. 
Its flowers are small and inconspicuous, but they have a curious structure 
when examined closely. This plant recurs in the Sierra foothills of the upper 
Sacramento valley, but has not been reported from the intervening region. 

Our region as well as others in the coast ranges has its hill slopes and 
ridges which exhibit flower-color phenomena in the springtime. Distant hill- 
slopes or ridges, five or ten miles away, appear as if painted gold or yellow, the 
color seeming as if of the very texture of the earth itself. Such color effects 
on a broad scale in a given place are always or nearly always produced by a 
single species of plant and the plant is always small, often indeed tiny, and the 
flowers are small and often very small. The effect is therefore due to the 
countless multitude of individuals and of flowers. The important species in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



153 



this regard are the gilias and lupines, which furnish the pinks and blues, 
the baerias and lasthenias which furnish the gold and yellow. Fancy stirs 
within me the memory of a radiant springtime when for four glorious weeks 
I botanized the whole length of the valley, penetrated the canons on both 
sides, ascended to the summits of Napa range near Mt. George, Howell moun- 
tain, the Palisades and Mt. St. Helena, and similarly to the summits of the 
Mt. Hood range on the west. Cream cups, poppies, clovers collinsias and owls 
clover filled the meadows and fields ; on every hand in the hills were the gilias, 
blue, purple, lavender, pink, white, according to the species ; a marvelous 
wealth of the yellow monkey flower rioted in the lowlands, bordered every 
rivulet in the mountains and spilled out on every wash and flat in the hills. I 
remember, in particular, the remarkable way in which the monkey flowers 
varied, now with large showy flowers, now with smaller ones, here a short 
upper tooth to the calyx, there a surprisingly long snout, yonder with heavily 
sprinkled brown dots on the throat, anon with scarcely any. 

These numerous native plants offer to the botanist an endless interest. 
At many times and in many seasons I have returned to this region to pursue 
field studies of their life-histories and habits. And when bound by work-a- 
day tasks my fancy still runs errantly away to its open fields, its wooded foot- 
hills and its high-lying chaparral slopes. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 
FARMERS' ORGANIZATIONS. 

By John Wilson. 

Napa Grange No. 307, Patrons of Husbandry. — This may be said to be 
the primary farmers' organization of Napa county ; the following is a copy of 
the minutes of its first meeting : 

"Meeting called to order at 1 :15 p. m., March 26, 1898, in courthouse, 
Napa, Cal. Objects explained by General Deputy D. M. Winan of Petaluma. 
The following signed the application blank, paid $1 each and were duly obli- 
gated by the state master, W. W. Greer : R. T. Davies, John McCollam, H. N. 
Fossett, G. W. Hill, J. S. Taylor, Hans Johannsen, Mrs. H. Swift, Mrs. J. Mc- 
Collam, H. R. Borrette, Beatrice Bensen, C. H. Andersen, D. J. Brown, J. J. 
Swift. A. D. Butler, Olive E. Borrette, R. A. Brownlee, W. B. Pieratt. M. A. 
Theilig. 

"On motion, it was decided to call this grange Napa Grange. The chair 
declared the next thing in order to be the election of officers. Before proceed- 
ing to elect, the chair explained the rank and duties of each officer. The 
grange proceeded to ballot, with the following result : Master, A. D. Butler ; 
overseer, D. J. Brown ; lecturer, J. S. Taylor ; steward, H. R. Borrette ; assist- 
ant steward, J. McCollam; chaplain, H. N. Fossett; treasurer, R. A. Brown- 
lee; gate keeper, G. W. Hill; pomona, Mrs. O. E. Borrette; flora, Mrs. Hannah 
Swift; ceres, Mrs. John McCollam; lady assistant steward, Beatrice Bensen." 
This grange since its inception has been marked in all its relations by a 
true fraternal spirit and has worked persistently for the good of the farming 
community and the country generally. Under its auspices and fostering local 
care, farmers' institutes of the University of California have held institutes in 
Napa yearly for quite a number of years. It is and has been an earnest advo- 
cate of the postal savings bank and the parcel post. This grange also has done 
much to foster a co-operative spirit, as a result of which, amongst other things, 
can be mentioned the Napa Rochdale Union and the Napa County Farmers' 
Mutual Fire Insurance Company. The officers of the grange at present are : 



154 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Master, F. L. Hunt; overseer, H. A. Chapman; lecturer, Mrs. A. Martin; 
steward, Mrs. S. Graves; assistant steward, John Beck; chaplain, Rev. C. E. 
Edgman; treasurer, I. W. Grigsby; secretary, Mrs. F. L. Hunt; gate keeper, 
C. N. Peterson; pomona, Mrs. Bowen ; flora, Miss A. Wilson; ceres, Mrs. H. 
A. Chapman. 

Napa County Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. 

This company was organized January 5, 1909, under the provisions of an 
act of the legislature of the state of California, approved April 1, 1897, but the 
first policies were issued February 24, 1909. 

On February 24, 1909, policies were issued to the following-named per- 
sons, twenty-six in number, who were the charter members, the law requiring 
twenty-five members with $50,000 of insurable property : A. R. Borrette, 
J. M. Buckle, H. A. Chapman, Roberta C. Camp, C. T. Clark, C. A. Carroll, 
E. E. Demming, H. N. Fossett, John James Fos, J. J. Flanagan, F. L. Gordon, 

E. C. Hillman, F. O. Jensen, H. E. Johannsen, F. E. Johnston, Aug. Lutge, 

F. Lehman, J. J. Linder, A. Maeschner, E. H. McMillan, Pane M. Raven, 
J. H. Shively, Joseph Schafmeister, S. Strong and John Wilson. 

The object of this company is to save money for the farmers, not to make 
money for the company. Herewith is a statement of the company's condition 
for the year 1910. It has increased from twenty-five to one hundred and 
twenty-five members and has accumulated over $1500. The farmers are com- 
ing in rapidly, as their old-line policies expire. Every member becomes an 
agent, and there is no doubt that by the end of the year 1911 it will have two 
hundred members. In 1909 E. C. Hillman, George H. Rogers, C. T. Clark, 
John Wilson, H. N. Fossett. E. H. McMillan and John C. Carroll were the 
directors ; H. N. Fossett was president, L. E. Johnston secretary, and the Bank 
of Napa treasurer. These were the first officers and directors. The present 
directors are : F. O. Jensen, J. J. Fox, R. Christiansen. J. M. Hamilton, E. C. 
Hillman. Z. D. Page, J. H. Shively; L. E. Johnston, secretary; E. H. McMil- 
lan, agent ; D. A. Dunlap is treasurer, but all moneys are deposited with the 
Bank of Napa. 

Napa County Poultry Association. 

The first meeting of the Napa County Poultry Association was held 
March 18, 1911, at the Napa Chamber of Commerce building. Those present 
were William Thompson, F. Lehman, E. S. Swan, J. R. McKenzie, Frank 
Huff, C. G Bates, V. C. Smith, W. T. Hawley, R. L. Haggett and Wallace 
Rutherford. The officers are: Frank Huff, president; V. C. Smith, vice- 
president; Wallace Rutherford, secretary; William Ames, treasurer. The 
objects of the association are: Section 1. To promote and advertise the poul- 
try industry of the county of Napa in any and all legitimate ways and means. 
Section 2. To hold poultry shows .in the county of Napa. Section 3. To 
associate with any state association organized for the promotion and adver- 
tising of the poultry industry of California. Section 4. To provide ways and 
means, to be hereafter devised, for the betterment of conditions for the market- 
ing of poultry and eggs, and for the purchasing, of poultry supplies. There 
are now about eighty members in the association, and the first show was held 
January 4 to 7, 1912. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



155 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 
CITY OF NAPA. 

By C. B. Seeley. 

To give a minute history in all the details of this locality would far exceed 
the limits allotted the historian. An accurate record of the most essential 
events is all that can be expected and I assume is what would most appeal 
to the general reader, as few care to waste time on non-essentials. 

All towns and cities must have a beginning, a "first inhabitant" and a 
"first building." Napa's "first inhabitant," whoever he may have been, evi- 
dently "sleeps with his fathers," but the "first building," a primeval wooden 
structure, is credited with continued existence, little affected by time and 
noticeable chiefly by reason of its great age. It is situated on Main street 
near Third and utilized by a vender of cheap miscellaneous articles of mer- 
chandise "for cash." The building was erected by Harrison Pearce in the 
year 1848. 

The California Indians (familiarly called "Diggers") were quite numer- 
ous in and about Napa in those early years. Cayatano Juarez, who resided 
in a locality adjacent on the east side of the valley, had some two thousand 
of the aborigines under his charge for years and gave them employment 
when possible and provided for their physical wants, which were but few. 
The Indians at one time had a sweathouse on the banks of the stream near 
the limits of East Napa, and a "sweathouse dance" was once attended by a 
curious party who, having gained admittance, was unable -to escape until the 
dance was over. His experience in the inclosure, given in his own words, is 
considered worthy of publication here, as the scene is of peculiar interest and 
is most graphically portrayed : 

"A sweathouse is in the shape of an inverted bowl. It is generally about 
forty feet in diameter at the bottom and is built of strong poles and branches 
of trees covered with earth to prevent the escape of heat. There is a small 
hole near the ground, large enough for the Diggers to creep in one at a time ; 
and another at the top of the house to give vent to the smoke. When a 
dance is to occur, a large fire is kindled in the center of the edifice, the crowd 
assembles, the white spectators crawl in and seat themselves anywhere out 
of the way. The apertures both above and below are then closed and the 
dancers take their positions ; four and twenty squaws en deshabille on one 
side of the fire, and as many hombres in puris naturalibus on the other. 
Simultaneous with the commencement of the dancing, which is a kind of 
shuffling hobble de hoy, the music bursts forth ; yes, music fit to raise the 
dead, a whole legion of devils broke loose. Such screaming, shrieking, yell- 
ing and roaring was never before heard since the foundation of the world. 
A thousand cross-cut saws, filed by steam power — a multitude of tom-cats 
lashed together and flung over a clothesline — innumerable pigs under the 
gate, all combined, would produce heavenly melody compared with it. Yet 
this uproar, deafening as it is, might possibly be endured; but another sense 
soon comes to be saluted. Talk of the thousand 'smells' of the city of Cologne ! 
Here are at least forty thousand in one grand overwhelming stench ; and yet 
every particular odor distinctly definable. Round about the roaring fire the 
Indians go capering, jumping and screaming, with the perspiration starting 
from every pore. The spectators look on until the air grows thick and heavy 
and a sense of oppressing suffocation overcomes them, when they make a 
simultaneous rush at the door, for self protection. Judge of their astonish- 



156 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ment and dismay to find it fastened securely — bolted and barred on the out- 
side. They rush frantically around the walls in hope to discover some weak 
point through which they may find egress ; but the house seems to have been 
constructed purposely to frustrate such attempts. More furious than caged 
lions, they rush bodily against the sides, but the stout poles resist every onset. 
Our army swore terribly in Flanders, but even my Uncle Toby himself would 
stand aghast were he here now. 

"There is no alternative but to sit down in hopes that the troop of naked 
fiends will soon cease from sheer exhaustion. Vain expectation. The uproar 
but increases in fury, the fire waxes hotter and hotter, and they seem to be 
preparing for a fresh exhibition of their powers. See that wild Indian, a 
newly elected captain, as with glaring eyes, blazing face and complexion like 
that of a boiled lobster, he tosses his arms wildly about as in pursuit of imag- 
inary devils, while rivers of perspiration run down his naked frame. A'Vas 
ever the human body thrown into such contortions before? Can the human 
frame endure this much longer? The heat is equal to that of a bake oven, 
temperature 500 degrees Fahrenheit, pressure of steam 1,000 pounds to the 
square inch. The reeking atmosphere has become almost palpable and the 
audience absolutely gasping for life. Millions for a cubic inch of fresh air ! 
Worlds for a drop of water ! This is terrible. To meet one's fate among the 
white caps of the lake, in a swamped canoe, to be worn out by famine, fatigue 
and exposure, were glorious ; but to die here, suffocating in a solution of hu- 
man perspiration, carbonic acid gas and charcoal smoke is horrible. But 
there is no avail. Assistance might as well be sought from a legion of un- 
chained imps. Death shows his visage not more than five minutes distant, 
the uproar dies into a subdued rumble of a remote cataract and respiration 
becomes lower and more labored. The whole system is sinking into utter in- 
sensibility. All hope of relief departed, when suddenly, with a grand tri- 
umphal crash the uproar ceases and the Indians vanish through an aperture 
opened for the purpose. The half dead victims to their own curiosity dash 
through it like an arrow, taking into their lungs the cold frosty air that cuts 
like a knife. They are in time to see the Indians plunge headlong into the 
cold waters of a neighboring stream, to crawl out and sink down on the banks, 
utterly exhausted. This is the last act of the drama, the grand climax, and 
the fandango is over." 

These Indians, it is true, were not up to the standard of the accredited 
"noble redmen" in mental force, but they constituted a harmless race, exempt 
from the atrocities characteristic of many other tribes. They possessed a 
rather vague idea of immortality which may be thus epitomized: "A good 
Indian went high when he died, a bad Indian low," which faith in this con- 
densed form is not greatly at variance with church doctrines of a more ad- 
vanced civilization. But these early tribes have vanished — remembered only 
by the "oldest inhabitant," and his days are not long in the land. That they 
often suffered at the hands of brutal white men, whose cruelties largely aided 
in their final extinction, is a sad reflection upon that vicious and lawless ele- 
ment unfortunately existing among the first settlers of the Pacific coast. 

Settlement of Napa. 

The settlement of Napa began in 1847. In 1848 buildings of wood were 
erected at pioneer prices for lumber. A nucleus had been formed at this point 
on Napa river and new structures began to appear at short intervals. Crude 
as they were, they met the requirements of the immigrants at the time, who 
paid little attention to adornment or luxuries pertaining to the higher walks 
of life. To eat, drink and "make money" seemed the abiding and governing 
impulse of the first settlers, though there were among them men of intelli- 
gence, spirit and culture. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 157 

It has been said of Boston that when the streets of that city were "laid 
out" they were made to follow the "trails" of the cows that once fed on Bos- 
ton Common. The Napa engineer who originally "laid out" the streets of 
Napa may not have followed the Boston surveyor, but his success in estab- 
lishing irregular and perplexing thoroughfares is equally apparent. But a 
street once accepted is like a confirmed habit, difficult to change. Thus Napa 
has grown on the lines laid out and from a beginning most infinitessimal has, 
by "additions" from time to time, become a flourishing young city of approved 
streets and sidewalks and buildings, in many instances, of the most modern 
design and architectural beauty. 

As shown by the record, one J. P. Thompson erected, at the foot of 
Main street, a building credited as being the first store structure in Napa. 
During the two years following other stores were established on the same 
street by Captain Bracklett and R. L. Kilburn, Hart & McGary, Seawell & 
Gregg and Col. W. S. Jacks. In 1851 J. B. Horrell, under a franchise granted 
by the court of sessions, erected a toll bridge across Napa river which was 
subsequently made "free" by contributions from private citizens. A ware- 
house about this time was erected by John Trnbody and was used success- 
ively as warehouse, store, saloon, postoffice, church and boarding house. 

The first steamer that plied the waters of river and bay between Napa 
and San Francisco was named The Dolphin, Capt. F. G. Baxter, the boat and 
captain (as once declared by the late Henry Edgerton) "of equal length." 
But no matter how crude the craft in those pioneer days, the "end in view" 
was the main thing to be considered. Ere long larger steamers were afloat 
and schooners of varied dimensions came and went with the tide, bearing to 
market the staple products of the valley. The tide still ebbs and flows, but of 
the "Ancient Mariners" of that clay Captain Baxter is the sole survivor, and 
he is nearing his ninety-second anniversary. 

Napa was incorporated March 23, 1872, and reincorporated February 24, 
1874. 

In 1850 Napa county's first court house was erected. The building was 
of wood, serving for court house purposes five years only, when it was sup- 
planted by a brick structure (1855) of more satisfactory dimensions, and this 
building gave place (1878) to the present attractive building situated as it is 
in a plaza noticeable for its many ornamental trees and well kept grounds. 

Both the city and county of Napa are justly celebrated for their stone 
bridges. The authorities early decided that bridges of stone were not only 
superior, but cheaper in the long run than wooden structures, notwithstand- 
ing the greater costs. Hence for many years the construction of stone bridges 
has been the rule in both city and county. The first stone bridge built within 
the city limits was on the line of First street across Napa river, in the year 
1860. Since then six stone bridges have been constructed across Napa creek 
within the city limits. Likewise a steel bridge across Napa river on the line 
of Third street ; also a concrete bridge 120 feet in length spanning a depres- 
sion on First street, East Napa, subject to overflow on occasions of flood. 

The streets of Napa, once the scene of muck and mire during the winter 
months, and clovids of dust in summer, have been changed to macadam thor- 
oughfares, while the sidewalks once built of either plank or gravel now show 
a cement surface throughout the town. Twenty miles of streets with cement 
sidewalks on either side is the estimated street improvement accomplished 
during the last eighteen years. 

Industries. 

The Sawyer Tanning Company was organized in 1869 by French Saw- 
yer, who became associated with B. F. Sawyer and A. W. Norton in 1872. 
After the death of B. F. Sawyer, F. E. Holden and Emanuel Manasse were 
added to the partnership. In 1886 the business was incorporated under the 



158 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

name of the Sawyer Tanning Company. The following-named persons con- 
stitute the present board of directors : L. J. Norton, E. G. Manasse, H. J. 
Manasse, R. S. Holden and H. H. Sawyer. For years this industry has en- 
joyed marked success and a prosperous future seems well assured. 

The Napa City Tannery was established in 1874, Thomas McBain pro- 
prietor. The business has been enlarged from small beginnings until it has 
become an extended and profitable industry. 

The Napa Gas and Electric Company. — The gas and electric companies 
existed separately for some years. They formed a combination as one com- 
pany in 1901. John Martin, president, has since been succeeded by F. G. 
Drum. O. E. Clark is manager. The combined plants furnish gas and elec- 
tricity as lighting and heating agencies for the town. Many thousands of 
dollars have been expended in bringing the plant to its present state of effi- 
ciency. Being a great convenience to the public, the company justly merits 
the liberal patronage it receives. 

The Napa Glove Factory was organized May 1, 1903, R. Raymond, pres- 
ident; directors, R. Raymond, F. W. Williams, C. P. Conklin. V. P. Conklin 
and A. Friedman. From a small beginning the company has built up a pros- 
perous business, its product finding a ready market even in remote localities. 

Water Companies. 

As the town grew apace the question of water supply became one of 
vital interest to the community. As early as 1869 a company formed propos- 
ing to bring water into the town from Milliken Canon. In 1871 another com- 
pany organized proposing to bring water from Caymus Canon. Again during 
the same year still another company urged the bringing of water from Rector 
Canon, the last mentioned the most promising proposition of the three. All, 
however, were doomed to failure. But the water question would not "down." 
In 1876 the legislature passed a bill allowing the city to create a debt of 
$100,000 for the purpose of bringing in water to the city of Napa and in 1880 
a survey was made by Engineer O. H. Buckmen, who made estimates for 
bringing water from the Hudemen creek and adjacent springs. The proposi- 
tion of creating a debt of $100,000 for the introduction of water into the town 
was submitted to the electors of Napa for indorsement and carried by an 
overwhelming vote. The question of the legality of such procedure was by 
consent of the city council submitted to the supreme court of the state and a 
remittitur was thereafter returned by the court passing only on some irreg- 
ularity of the proceedings in the appeal. At this juncture a private company 
(the present Napa City Water Company) organized and all plans for munici- 
pal ownership of water supply were abandoned. 

The Napa City Water Company organized in 1881 and the work of con- 
structing and sinking wells was vigorously prosecuted. The reservoir was 
built in the hills at proper elevation, one and one-half miles distant from the 
city. An underground stream discovered in the valley nearby was connected 
with a capacious well and from this source, by aid of a large pumping plant, 
the reservoir was supplied. Subsequently a pipe line was extended to Napa 
river, three-fourths of a mile distant from the reservoir, the river being util- 
ized for supply during the dry summer months. An electric motor with a 
capacity of over 1,500,000 gallons per twenty-four hours is now installed for 
pumping purposes. The water supply has been ample ever since the organi- 
zation of the company and in case of an alarm of fire an emergency reservoir 
located at high elevation can be brought into requisition instantly, producing 
a pressure on the mains of eighty pounds to the square inch. Present direct- 
ors (1911): Benjamin Shurtlefr, J. A. McClelland, Henry Brown, H. M. 
Meacham and H. L. Johnston. T. R. Parker is superintendent of the company, 
William G. Thompson secretary. 




WATER TOWER, NAPA 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



159 



Banking Institutions. 

The first private bank established in Napa was in 1858 by James H. Good- 
man and George E. Goodman, under the firm name of James H. Goodman & 
Company. This bank was incorporated in 1889 under the name of James H. 
Goodman Company Bank, George E. Goodman president, H. P. Goodman 
vice-president and E. S. Churchill cashier. George E. Goodman and H. P. 
Goodman severed their connection with this bank in 1904, at which time 
H. M. Meacham was elected president and E. W. Churchill cashier. 

The Bank of Napa was organized in 1871 ; C. Hartson president and 
W. C. Watson cashier. After the retirement of Hartson and Watson, Judge 
Lewis Lewton was elected president and Charles R. Gritman cashier. Upon 
the death of Lewton and Gritman the bank passed into the hands of the 
present management, viz : S. M. Chapman president, and Henry Brown 
cashier. 

The private bank of Seeley and Bickford was established in 1879 and in 
1898 was merged into the Napa Savings Bank. The present management 
consists of D. S. Kyser president, and Hensley S. Davis cashier. 

The First National Bank was organized in July, 1904, H. P. Goodman 
president, and E. L. Bickford cashier. All these banks are well sustained by 
the people and have a creditable financial standing. 

Newspapers. 

It will be observed that Napa has never suffered from a dearth of news- 
papers or newspaper men. The Napa Reporter seems to have antedated all 
others, having made its first appearance July 4, 1856, A. J. Fox editor. Then 
followed the Napa Semi-Weekly Sun in 1859, edited by Cox and Farrell ; the 
Pacific Echo, by Alex Montgomery, in 1861 ; the Napa Register, by J. I. Hor- 
rell, in 1863 ; the Daily Advertiser, by R. T. Montgomery, in 1866 ; Daily 
Morning Gazette, by W. J. Bowman, in 1870; the Gold Dollar, by J. H. 
Cooper, in 1878; the Bee, by Dwight Hackett, in 1889; the Napa Daily 
journal, by J. E. Walden, in 1890; the Reflector, by George E. Colwell, in 
1896-1902 ; the Independent, by Fred T. Walker, in 1909. 

All the foregoing publications save the Reporter, the Register and Journal 
were of ephemeral existence, not unlike a northern sun, circling above the 
horizon for a brief period and then disappearing from sight forever. The 
change of ownership of the publications that lingered longest "above water" 
is an interesting feature of their history: The Register was owned by R. D. 
Hopkins and J. M. Coghlan in 1869, by Hopkins and Francis and Francis 
G W. Henning in 1872, by Francis and Charles A. Gardner in 1873, by Francis 
and Tool in 1875, by Francis and Spaulding in 1876 and thereafter by G. M. 
Francis sole, solitary and alone until entering into copartnership with his 
son, George R. Francis, in 1907. 

The Reporter experienced like changes in ownership : It was owned by 
A. J. Cox and Cox & Montgomery in 1856. by Miner & Higgins, Montgomery 
& Brunson and Parry & Horrell during the year 1863; by W. F. Henning in 
1870, by R. T. Montgomery in 1871, by C. A. Menefee in 1872. by Menefee & 
Co. in 1873, bv A. A. R. Utting in 1874, by Capt. G. W. Gift in 1875. Dwight 
Hackett in 1884, Hill & Bacon in 1886. 

The Napa Reporter ceased to exist in 1888, when the Napa Daily Journal 
with J. E. Walden as editor and proprietor entered the newspaper field. The 
editors of the Journal and Register are "the last of a noble line" of tripod 
celebrities who have survived the wear and vicissitudes of time and whose 
burnished crowns are still ablaze in the editorial firmament, and while at 
antipodes with respect to political affiliations, their personal relations are the 
reverse of belligerent, though each is watchful for what he may regard a 
•weak spot in the other's armor, ever holding his lance in rest for an attack. 



160 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Thus far, however, no fatal thrust has been made by either party and prob- 
ably never will be. Should some ambitious stranger presume to start a 
paper of his own in the town these veteran editors never seek to antagonize 
or crush him ; they simply contemplate him in curious wonder as to the 
length of time he will be able to survive — ever mindful of the fate of those 
who had gone before. 

The newspaper annals of Napa would be incomplete without personal 
mention of R. T. Montgomery and his associate, A. J. Cox, identified as they 
were with the earliest journalism in the city and county of Napa. Montgom- 
ery for clearness of statement and faultless diction had few equals among 
newspaper men. His taste was most critical, he was scholarly and his edi- 
torials bore evidence of both thought and culture. Mr. Cox was a fairly 
equipped newspaper man. He considered himself a "high-toned gentleman" 
(and such he was) under all circumstances, though widely differing from 
Montgomery in certain mental characteristics. And if we smile in recalling 
the original and sometimes startling remarks of Montgomery "in his cups," 
likewise in remembering Mr. Cox apologizing to a lamp post with which he 
had abruptly collided when the sidewalk was not sufficiently wide for his 
convenience ; also in recalling his accidental contact with a "setting hen'," 
and at the moment remarking, in a manner most courteous: "Beg pardon, 
madam, don't rise, please," we must not forget that the mental condition 
affecting these men at such times was not normal or continuous, that when 
free from the influence of intoxicants they were industrious, intelligent citi- 
zens, reflecting no discredit upon the community in which they lived and 
labored. Let us remember that "charity" has not diminished in value since 
the day it was considered the "greatest" of primal virtues. 

Miscellaneous. 

Among the active industries of Napa at the present time may be men- 
tioned the following: The Frank G. Noyes & Co., lumber yard; the Napa 
Lumber Co., M. E. Carlock manager; Napa Machine Works, W. J. Linden 
proprietor; Napa Pump Works, Briggs Bros, proprietors; Napa Steam Laun- 
dry, W. N. R. McDougall proprietor; Enterprise Planing Mill, W. H. Corlett 
proprietor; the Evans Shoe Co., L. J. Evans president; Glove Factory, Scully 
Bros, proprietors ; National Cartridge Company, D. H. Armstrong general 
manager; the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company, organized in 1883, 
M. P. MacMillan commercial manager; Cameron & Company, shirt factory, 
organized in 1902, W. H. Cameron president, D. L. Beard vice-president and 
secretary, and Napa Marble Works, J. B. Newman, proprietor. 

Fire Department. 

The Pioneer Engine Company was organized in April, 1859, Robert 
Crouch president, E. S. Cheseboro foreman, J. H. Moran assistant, J. W. 
Hemenway second assistant, Harvey Wilder secretary, B. F. Townsend 
treasurer. A hook and ladder company with Babcock fire extinguishers was 
subsequently organized. The cost of the engine was $2,500. It was operated 
by hand, virtually a "muscle motor," but did excellent work, and while no 
longer used by the fire department it has been accorded a quiet nook, safely 
sheltered from the elements, where it remains a cherished relic of other days. 

The present fire department (1911) is equipped with both steam and 
chemical engines ; Charles Otterson fire chief, with a paid company at his 
command. It is due to the efficiency of the city's fire department that no 
disastrous fires have occurred in Napa for many years. 

Military, Company H. 

Second Infantry, N. G. C, was instituted as Battery B of the old Second 









HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 161 

Artillery, May 27, 1893. The first officers were : Captain, Charles H. Stark- 
weather; first lieutenant, Frank G. Easterby; second lieutenant, Harry C. 
Wood. Captain Starkweather resigned February 10, 1894, and Frank G. 
Easterby was elected in his place. Captain Easterby was succeeded Septem- 
ber 7 , 1896 (having resigned), by Capt. Frank W. Bush, who retired in 1904, 
and was succeeded March 25, 1905, by George Cecil Gardner. Captain Gard- 
ner resigned in March, 1908, and Capt. Percy S.. King was elected to succeed 
him. Captain King, First Lieutenant Wallace Rutherford and Second Lieu- 
tenant George C. Gardner are now the officers (July 1, 1911). 

At the time of the reorganization of the National Guard, December 7, 
1895, the old Second Artillery went out of existence and Battery B became 
Company H of the Fifth Infantry. On May 11, 1907, the company was 
transferred to the Second Infantry, still being known as Company H. The 
company has twice been called into active service, the first being from July 
12, 1894"; to August 9, 1894, at the time of the great A. R. U. strike, when the 
company was stationed for a few days in the armory at Page and Gough 
streets, San Francisco, and for the remainder of the time at the West Oak- 
land railroad yards. The second was at the time of the great fire in April, 
1906, when the company was stationed in San Francisco for thirty-three days. 
In both of these events the company did unusually faithful and efficient serv- 
ice, and has always been recognized as a company which can be relied upon 
for the duty required of it, the membership having always been composed 
of intelligent, brave and patriotic young men. The last inspection, in Jan- 
uary, 1911, showed a membership of sixty. The original muster roll, May, 
1893, showed the following names : H. H. Blanchard, Frank W. Bush, Frank 
E. Easterby, A. Hatt, Jr., F. H. Mugford, B. W. Parsons, O. K. Smith, M. G. 
Wittlinger, H. L. Gunn, Ben Swanton, Philip Diehl, E. G Eustace, M. M. 
Haas, Frank Horstmeyer, Charles Herning, Robert P. Lamdin, Rudolph F. 
Muller, William Overdick, Henry Wolf, J. L. Brown, H. L. Crosby, F. O. 
Godwin, Robert W. McKnight, W. W. Mugford, F. S. Scott, E. L. Webber, 
H. C. Wood, F. W. Levy, Hensley S. Davis, William H. Erb, William Good- 
rich, C. Harren, W. C. Hunter, Lyman M. King, Dr. Rolland E. Miller, J. M. 
Nougues, Jr., Benjamin F. Smith, A. S. Hiatt, N. E. Brennan, G. C. Davis, 
Dr. E. J. Hadfield, Andrew McFarland, William O'Connell, L. W. Shaw, D. 
Wilson, J. T. Wyckoff, S. Scott, M. L. Dey, H. L. Godwin, R. H. Green, 
Oliver Hoffman, T. B. Hutchinson, Percy S. King, Herman H. Muller, G. 
Oliver, George A. Woelffel, C. H. Starkweather. 

Hospital. 

Benjamin Shurtleff Hospital Company, organized August 30, 1911. 
Members of the company: Dr. S. McL. Doherty, Dr. Lawrence Welti, Dr. 
E. Z. Hennesey. 

Clubs — Lodges. 

Yount Lodge No. 12, Free and Accepted Masons, organized January 
24, 1857, present membership 150; Napa Court No. 9, Order of Amaranth; 
Napa Chapter No. 30, Royal Arch Masons; Napa Commandery No. 34, 
Knights Templar; Keystone Chapter No. 235, Order of Eastern Star; Silver 
Spray Chapter No. 59, Order of Eastern Star. 

Napa Lodge No. 18, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, organized No- 
vember 26, 1853, present membership 245; Canton Napa No. 34; Live Oak 
Encampment No. 40; Ivy Rebekah No. 23. The Odd Fellows' Hall Associa- 
tion was organized January 2, 1868. 

Fidelity Lodge No. 23, Knights of Pythias, organized August 6, 1873, 
present membership 215; Uniform Rank Fidelity Co. No. 55, Knights of 
Pythias; Phoenix Temple No. 87, Pythian Sisters. 

10 



164 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING. 

The Napa Collegiate Institute. — This institution was opened in 1860 by 
A. H. Haram. Within one year thereafter it was purchased by Rev. W. S. 
Turner, A. M., and for several years prospered under his management. By 
reason of ill health of the proprietor the property was leased for a brief period 
and in 1870 was purchased by the California Annual Conference of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. Henceforth it was to be conducted as an "institution 
of learning under Christian influences." In 1871 Professor T. C. George, A. 
M., took charge as principal, with four assistant teachers. He resigned in 
1874 and was succeeded by Professor L. L. Rogers, A. M. In 1877 Professor 
A. E. Lasher, A. M., was elected principal and during his connection with 
the institution the property was greatly advanced in value by the addition of 
new buildings and improvement of the grounds. The principle of co-educa- 
tion was maintained throughout the period of the institution's existence and 
large numbers of both sexes availed themselves of the privileges thus afforded. 

Napa Business College. — This college was organized in 1894 by Professor 
H. L. Gunn, under whose management it was successfully conducted for 
many years. Hundreds of pupils of both sexes became equipped for fields of 
activity they were soon to enter. Professor Gunn was succeeded in 1908 by 
Professor J. H. Janson, whose ability as a painstaking teacher in imparting 
*to youth the knowledge essential for a successful business career has given 
him indorsement and generous support among the people of Napa. 

Oak Mound School. — This school was founded in 1872 by Professor C. 
M. Walker. It was named "A School for Boys." In this school many of the 
higher branches were taught and students were prepared to enter the State 
University and other colleges. Professor Walker was succeeded by Professor 
Mowen. who conducted the school with marked success for several years and 
until the establishment of the Napa high school, of which he became principal. 

Central School. — The Central school building was erected in 1870 and an 
extensive addition to the structure was made in 1889. For many years Pro- 
fessor J. L. Shearer was principal, proving a faithful and zealous worker in 
the cause of education. The attendance at the present date (1911) numbers 
350; the teachers employed are as follows: Cora A. Wright, Mrs. Caddie B. 
Brown, Mabel I. Wing, Elizabeth Wolf, Laura Webber, Florence L. Krause, 
Virginia Dollarhide and Marie Foote. 

Lincoln School. — The Lincoln school was established in 1880-81. D. T. 
Davis principal, associate teachers Mary Ames, Mrs. Bertha Haughton, Flora 
Mehl, Alta Richardson, Grace Kermode, Margaret Thomas and Clara Jensen 
(1911). 

Napa Washington School. — Established in 1909, Zella Springstein prin- 
cipal ; associate teachers Shirley P. Hendershutt, Elizabeth Amos and Mrs. 
L. A. Maxwell (1911). 

Napa Franklin School. — Established in 1875, Elizabeth Norris principal ; 
associate teachers Anna P. Jackson, Emma G. Ingemundsen and Henrietta 
White (1911). 

These public schools under the general and able management of Professor 
Shearer, supervising principal of the Napa grammar schools, are not only an 
honor to the city, but reflect great credit on both teacher and pupil. 

Napa High School. — This school was organized in 1897, Professor F. O. 
Mower principal, who successfully conducted the institution until succeeded 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 165 

by Professor Glenn L. Allen, who took charge of the school in 1909, and from 
that date has given his valued services to the work assigned him. A new high 
school building was erected in 1909, costing $36,000, possessing all the ap- 
pointments essential for the requirements of the school. The building has 
two stories and a basement, together with various class and study rooms, all 
of ample dimensions, besides an assembly hall with a seating capacity for five 
hundred. All the rooms are heated and ventilated by the Plenum blower 
system. The air is forced throughout the building by electric fans and is 
heated by two large steel furnaces and delivered to classrooms at the rate of 
1500 cubic feet per minute, the air being completely changed in the rooms 
eight times every hour. Electricity is used for lighting and every sanitary 
condition strictly observed. The Napa high school has been on the accredited 
list of the University of California since June, 1899. Graduates are admitted, 
without examination, to the University of California and Stanford University, 
as well as to the normal schools of the state. At present the faculty (1911) 
consists of: Glenn L. Allen, principal and teacher of sciences; Miss Genevieve 
Wilson, English; Miss Ida Cowley, English; Miss Dora L. Martin, Latin; 
Otto P. Rathke, mathematics; Miss Cora H. Jaensch, history and German; 
Alex H. Thompson, commercial branches, and Miss Grace Ward, history and 
drawing. 

Napa Ladies' Seminary. — The Napa Ladies' Seminary was established by 
Miss Harris in 1860. Miss Harris resigning her position in 1864, Miss Maria 
S. and Sarah F. McDonald conducted the school until the death of Miss Maria 
in 1869, at which time Miss Sarah assumed full charge until the close of her 
life, ten years after. Fred A. McDonald, a nephew of the McDonald sisters, 
became principal and after filling the position for two years was succeeded 
by Professor D. W. Hanna. Within a couple of years, for certain business 
reasons, the Napa Ladies' Seminary ceased to be, but its history was so 
closely identified with the lives of the McDonald sisters that it will always 
be remembered as the "McDonald Seminary." These were grand and noble 
women, and it may be proper to quote a few words from obituary notices 
given at the respective dates of their passing: "Miss Maria McDonald as- 
sumed the position of principal in 1864 and conducted the institution for five 
years, at the expiration of which time death cut short her usefulness and 
overwhelmed the school with sorrow and loss. It is but due to her memory 
here to speak of the executive talent which she eminently possessed. Also 
her powers of persuasion, her rare art of discipline, her tact and originality and 
more than all, her scholarship and Christian culture, all of which adapted her 
pre-eminently for the profession she had chosen and in which she had 
achieved such signal success." 

Of Miss Sarah it was said in part : "To be useful was with Miss Mc- 
Donald an ever present incentive to action; to be just was the law of her 
being ; to be generous and sympathetic was an ever existing, ever ruling qual- 
ity of heart, which in blessing others secured in return their earnest affection. 
Her charities were as unselfish as they were private, the knowledge of her bene- 
fits resting alone with herself and those to whom her open hand was extended. 
Unvarying as a fixed star, candid and honest, she was ever the best and truest 
friend. From her institution of learning have gone forth hundreds bearing 
the impress of her council and influence, with minds molded by a broad and 
healthful culture and all moving in varied spheres of usefulness." 

A memorial tablet furnished by the seminary pupils has been placed in 
the Presbyterian church in memory of their revered teachers and an effort 
is being made by the "Seminary Club" to establish a scholarship in the State 
University of California for some beneficiary whose ancestry shall be traced 
to the institution of learning formerly conducted by these worthy women. 



166 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

The Churches. 

The Catholic Church (St. John's) was erected in 1858. The first pastor 
was Rev. Father Rousche. In 1860 Father Deyaert became pastor and his 
services continued until his death in 1876. Father Mulville was pastor from 
1876 to 1877, when Father M. D. Slattery assumed charge. The cornerstone 
of the new Catholic church was laid March 1, 1881, the ceremony being per- 
formed by Bishop Alamany, assisted by Father Slattery. Father Joseph F. 
Byrne, the present pastor, succeeded Father Slattery in 1904. 

The Episcopal Church was organized August 29, 1858, E. W. Hager rec- 
tor. William Goodwin was rector in 1859, A. T. Nicholson in 1861, William 
Leacock in 1871-1880-1885, George D. Tilliman, Walter H. Moore and R. H. 
Kline in 1874 to 1880, C. S. Fackinthall in 1888 to 1890, J. T. Shurtliff in 1892, 
C. Benham in 1893 to 1899, W. B. Thorn in 1899, B. D. Sinclair in 1901-2, 
W. H. Hawken in 1902 to 1908, B. J. Darnell in 1908, I. E. Baxter, present 
rector, in 1910. 

The Baptist Church was organized in 1860, J. B. Morse pastor. Rev. 
Lyman Carpenter was pastor from 1860 to 1864, G. W. Ford in 1865 to 1873, 
J. E. Barnes in 1874, J. N. Gray in 1875, H. A. Sawtelle in 1876, H. H. Rhees 
in 1877-8, W. R. Connelly in 1886-88, S. W. Archer in 1888-9, A. J. Sturtevant 
in 1890-94. T. B. Hughes in 1894-97, A. M. Russell in 1897-99, G. M. Annis 
in 1899-1903, C. H. Smith in 1903-5. J. C. Garth in 1905-10, Richard E. Day, 
present pastor, 1911. 

The Salem Evangelical Church of Napa was organized April 7. 1898. 
Rev. W. H. Althouse was pastor from 1898 to 1900, J. Erich from 1900 to 
1904, H. W. Luckensmeyer from 1904 to 1906, A. L. Houser in 1907, W. A. 
,Mittman in 1907-10. S. F. Hilgenfeld, present pastor, 1910. 

Evangelical Lutheran Church, organized in 1905, Rev. Arthur Brohm, 
present pastor, 1911. 

Napa Advent Christian Church was organized in October, 1880, and for 
nine years was without a pastor. The church was dedicated in 1891, Rev. 
MacFayden remaining in charge until 1896. Rev. L. A. Rogers was pastor 
from 1896 to 1898, M. MacFayden from 1898 to 1900, W. H. Weaver from 
1901 to 1902, E. Fiske in 1903, C. E. Whitney in 1904-5, V. F. Hunt in 1905-8, 
F. W. Shattuck, present pastor, 1911. 

The Christian Church was organized in 1870 and the church building 
erected in 1871. The first pastor was Rev. Glen Burnette, who was succeeded 
by Elder C. W. Webb and Elder Thomas Potter. In 1874 Elder Beardslee 
became pastor, and he was followed by Elder Nathan Potter and Elder B. S. 
Gardner. After 1874 and during several years succeeding the following elders 
have occupied the pulpit in this church, but the date of individual service it 
has been impossible to learn : Elders Ellis, Henry Wood, C. Bowen, R. N. 
Davis, Elder Finch, W. A. Neville, Samuel McGee, Elder AVaddell, H. V. 
Morgan and T- C. Keith; Elder McCash in 1900-1. B. F. Bonnell 1901-2, Elder 

5. A. Nesbit 1902-6, Elder O. E. Palmer 1906-10, H. C. Shropshire, present 
pastor, 1911. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated in June, 1858, the Rev. 
Dr. Morrow in charge. The following clergymen are named in the order of 
their oastorates : Rev. A. D. Simonds, pastor in 1851-52, J. Brier 1852-53, E. 
A. Hazen 1853-55, James Corwin 1855-58, W. W. Morrow 1858-59, W. B. May 
1859-60, Nelson Reasoner 1861-62, P. L. Haynes 1862-64, W. J. McClay 1864- 
67, D. A. Dryden 1867-68, J. L. Trefern 1868-70, Wesley Demmett 1870-72, 
T. S. Dunn 1872-73, Stephen Bowers 1873-74, W. R. Gober 1874-77, E. S. Todd 
1877-80, A. J. Wells 1880-82, Tohn Coyle 1882-84, M. C. Briggs 1884-87, John 
Coyle 1887-92, A. A. Hayes 1892-95, Eli McClish 1895-96, C. H. Beechgood 
1896-98, J. H. N. Williams 1898-1902, E. R. Willis 1902-04, H. E. Beak 1904- 

06, H. J. Winsor (present pastor) 1906-11. 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 167 

Among this long list of distinguished clergymen the writer has selected 
for special mention the Rev. M. C. Briggs by reason of his pioneer service in 
the interest of his church. Fifty years ago Dr. Briggs was classed very high 
among the pulpit orators of California. He was at that time the embodiment 
of force and religious zeal. No matter how rough the element he was called 
upon to address, he never shrank from a duty his calling imposed. Possessing 
great physical power and an iron will, no threat of violence could intimidate 
him or thwart his purpose. His statement to the writer of his early experience 
in matters political evidenced his force of will and utter exemption from fear. 
On one occasion the opposing party on election day adopted the rather unique 
method of rushing the undesirable voter by the "polls" with such velocity that 
there was no time to deposit his ballot. The athletic minister took in the 
situation, and quietly observing, "I will see if I am permitted to vote," moved 
down the line without apparent concern, yet ready to resist any interference 
with his privilege as a voter. To the astonishment of many his vote was re- 
ceived without molestation and afterward, when the lusty "rusher" employed 
to push others past the polls was remonstrated with for not doing his duty in 
the present instance, he made this reply: "Fellers, his shoulders are too broad 
for me to tackle." 

When Dr. Briggs related this incident a bystander thus addressed him : 
"Dr. Briggs, don't you think the 'ring' lost a great champion when you as- 
cended the pulpit?" The doctor replied, laughing: "I will not pretend to say 
as to that, but I can remember an instance when I had ten men helpless on 
the ground at one tussle." He was forceful in all his ministrations. He urged 
a change to better conditions of right living and was a reformer in every sense 
of that word. His warfare against intoxicants, tobacco and cards never ceased. 
He declared progressive euchre was "the invention of the devil" (and no doubt 
he was right), "a lighted cigar exhibited a fire at one end and a fool at the 
other," and once when informed that a brother clergyman had been known 
to resort for inspiration to a beverage whose principal ingredient possessed an 
alcoholic base known as "spirits fermenti," he was exasperated to the utmost 
limit. But it must be remembered of Dr. Briggs that not only during those 
pioneer days of California history, when dissipation in its varied forms held 
over the masses almost undisputed sway, but through all the years that fol- 
lowed, his ministry was a continuous battle for reform and for a more perfect 
and advanced attainment in religious life. 

The Presbyterian Church of Napa. — This church was founded in 1853, 
the pulpit being first occupied by Rev. J. C. Herron and subsequently by Rev. 
P. V. Veeder. Rev. Richard Wylie came to Napa in 1866 and was installed as 
pastor of the church July 21, 1867. The cornerstone of the new church edifice 
was laid in August, 1874. Mr. Wylie has occupied the pulpit regularly since 
1867, save during certain intervals when absent in Europe. Mr. Wylie, as in 
the case of the late Dr. Briggs, is entitled to special mention by reason of his 
long continued service as pastor of his church. The writer remembers him in 
the first years of his pastorate, when comparatively a young man, retiring in 
manner yet zealous in church work. During the years that have intervened 
he has seen a generation of early communicants pass from the stage of action 
never to reappear; has witnessed the rise of a younger generation now occu- 
pying in church circles the. places made vacant by predecessors. Yet the reli- 
gious teacher is still at his post, growing venerable in years but active and 
earnest in the work of his calling. The range of his mental vision has 
never been circumscribed. His thought is mature. He views the varied mani- 
festations of life as a whole. The cardinal doctrines of "faith" and "good 
works" ever remain with him in happy accord. He would cure defects by 
planting more healthy growths in their stead. At home among the progressive 
and + houghtful men of his time he dares to dream of a future in which shall 



168 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



be realized the grandest ideals of human progress. Genial in the social circle, 
a quick observer of the grotesque, he is ever appreciative and companionable. 
Amid the shadows of bereavement his presence, his words of sympathy, and 
more than all his just and generous tribute to the dead, never fail to bring 
comfort to those who mourn. The departing one is remembered at his best 
estate and with tenderness is followed to the banks of the mystic river and 
there waved bon voyage to the farther shore. Mr. Wylie has reached the 
allotted years, yet they rest lightly upon him. There is no decadence of his 
mental vigor and no abatement in the zeal enlisted in the work set before him. 
That his days may reach far into the future is the wish of all who have the 
good fortune to know him. 

The Tong War of Napa. 

In the early seventies Napa was the scene of a brief yet fearful conflict 
between two "companies" commonly known as "Celestials," but evincing at 
the time a spirit quite the reverse of such appellation. A young Chinaman 
belonging to one of the companies, prompted by an emotion truly "Celestial," 
wooed and won a "flowery" damsel belonging to another company and bore her 
away to the courthouse in view, consummating an alliance strictly in accord- 
ance "with the statute in such case made and provided," and under the care and 
protection of the sheriff. Meanwhile the two companies were preparing for 
war — fierce, savage, avenging war. Due preparations had been made by both 
companies for the onset, but with such secrecy that even the county officials 
were ignorant of the approaching struggle. Revolvers had been purchased the 
day previous in large numbers, but aroused no suspicion as for what purpose. 
The battleground selected, seemingly by mutual consent, was Main street be- 
tween First and Second, and the signal for "clash of arms" was given by a 
"boss" of one of the companies appearing in the middle of the street, clashing 
two broad-bladed knives resembling butchers' cleavers, and the war was on. 
Every revolver was belching fire and smoke and seemingly without aim — the 
belligerents appearing to think that all they had to do was to press the trigger 
and the bullet would find its victim of its own accord, hence the missiles were 
hitting everything except Chinamen. Brick walls on either side of the street 
were scarred, windows and doors penetrated, white people barely yet fortu- 
nately missed. At last the ammunition became exhausted and, the officers 
appearing suddenly on the scene of conflict, a deep silence followed that was 
almost oppressive. Result of battle : No dead on either side — one Chinaman 
slightly damaged, possibly by accident, otherwise, trying to "ward off" the 
bullet with his cheek. When the war was over and the excitement incident 
thereto had subsided, the disinterested observers began to review the many 
amusing incidents occurring during the Mongolian struggle. The unaimed 
bullets were cultivating a rather too familiar acquaintance with the startled 
onlookers, and very naturally they rushed for cover. One prominent lawyer 
(and by the way, the very last of that distinguished array of legal lights who 
"counciled," "prosecuted" and "defended" in those early days ere Napa as- 
sumed its present metropolitan airs) feeling that there was still work for him 
to do ere he left this planet, sought protection from danger by bolting through 
a window while the battle was raging around him. But the window was not 
large enough to admit entrance to the larger portion of his body and he felt 
he was in the grasp of a cruel fate and must bid adieu to all things sublunary. 
"He wriggled," said one of his brother attorneys, "like a fish trying to ascend 
the rapids, yet making no progress." Another changed the simile, declaring 
his motion was that of a man "sculling" a small boat against an irresistible 
current. Fifty bullets, he was sure, had already penetrated the exposed part 
of his anatomy, and was surprised that upon examination no abrasion was dis- 
covered. After the last gun was fired and the offending sash was lifted from 









HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 169 

the writhing form there came a sigh of relief, and as the attorney wended his 
way to his office there was clearly reflected from every feature the sentiment 
of Bill Nye in Bret Harte's "Heathen Chinee," namely: "I'm opposed to 
cheap labor." 

Of the Chinese lovers who stole each other from their respective com- 
panies, it may be related that they were duly married by the county judge at 
his chambers, properly responding by nods to all questions — -understanding 
not one of them, and still holding each other by the wrist, seemingly to pre- 
vent recapture by the conflicting companies. When the judge at the close 
commanded the benedict to "salute his bride," the reply came, "No sabbe 
slute;" the judge then by way of instruction forced their two heads together, 
but instead of labial contact two Celestial noses came in vigorous collision. 
The honeymoon of these moon-eyed Mongols was passed in the city on the 
peninsula, where. they doubtless still abide, and are no doubt extending finan- 
cial aid to the insurgents of the ancient empire. 

Conclusion. 

The foregoing history of Napa cannot be considered a "moving picture" 
of the times and incidents covering a period of sixty years. Many things 
have transpired that are without record. Many things have been forgotten. 
The writer leaves to other and more able hands biographical mention of a 
large number of citizens prominent in the professions and in business circles 
who form a very important element in the city's memoirs. I have, as far as I 
have been able, made faithful narrative of the important facts connected with 
the growth and progress of the city from those early days when it was scarcely 
more than a village. To the writer no other spot in California is possessed of 
equal attractions, favored as It is with every modern convenience, with ac- 
credited institutions of learning; with moral and religious influences working 
for good ; climatic conditions most desirable ; scenery unsurpassed, and suffi- 
ciently remote from the sea that its winds may not visit it too roughly, it be- 
comes the charmed center where it is a privilege to abide and of which the 
passing years will ever evoke the most cherished memories. 

In the future of Napa we may expect continued advance in every line of 
progressive endeavor and in all that pertains to greater intellectual growth and 
development; a citizenship, in the years to come, truly representative of that 
brave and adventurous element in our commonwealth who have prevailed over 
every obstacle associated with pioneer life in California while achieving a 
name and place in a higher and more advanced civilization. 



170 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
BENCH AND BAR. 

By Hon. Frank L. Coombs. 

To write a biography of the men who have from time to time comprised 
the membership of the Napa bar would be giving in detail the history of a 
learned profession, maintaining its high standard through the varied conflicts 
in which it engaged in the formative conditions of a state, and during that 
time lighted, ever and anon, by the brightest, highest order of talent. 

In 1850, at the extreme western border of the continent; with but a dan- 
gerous communication with older communities, and tedious at best, a new 
state essayed the role of independent government. The country was favored 
by the gravest of questions, and while remote from the centers around which 
the tumult gathered, California, like every community, became more or less 
involved in these discussions, calling, as it did, for the very highest order of 
intellect and the greatest concentration of purpose. California was also the 
center of struggles peculiar to her geographical position and her former occu- 
pancy. Out of these was to be evolved the great order of things, or, on the 
other hand, the complete subjugation of all the things aspired to by society. 

The main question was as to whether the early builders were equal to the 
task of government under such circumstances. They proved to be, and while 
every profession is a triumph over the problems it seeks to solve, history must 
confess that the profession of law has ever stood head and front in the mold- 
ing of government. There was the question of land tenures ; the squatter 
question; the questions arising from rapid accumulations; from mining inter- 
ests ; out of border strife and lawlessness, before which the arm of the law 
often was impotent ; out of the varied conflict of human passions necessarily a 
part of first conditions. It was fortunate that there came to California at this 
time men who were able to conceive constitutions and establish courts upon 
Anglo-Saxon principles. 

Every county had its own troubles and nourished men whose names have 
become a part of its history. It would be a research beyond the facilities 
afforded the writer to go back of the year 1866 in picturing the personnel of the 
Napa bar. In that year C. B. Seeley, still living in Napa, was elected county 
clerk, and his memory of early history has been of assistance to the writer. In 
1866 C. B. Crouch was elected county judge, and, under the change made by 
the constitution of 1879, was afterwards superior judge. He was known for 
his care and attention in the preparation of papers, and in probate law he was 
an authority. Plodding and particular, his papers may now be consulted as 
models of form. J. B. Southhead was district judge about this time. His was 
one of the brightest minds that ever reflected light upon a legal question. Er- 
ratic, at times an apostle of the Holy Word, then lapsing into the detail of 
legal refinements, his mind was too varied to ever harbor the concentration 
that made a great purpose. 

Rayle,a man of legal attainments though profuse in preparation and argu- 
ment. Chancellor B. Hartson, once a county judge, associated with early liti- 
gation was a man of splendid attainments and indomitable energy. Having 
accumulated much wealth, he gave up the law and engaged in business, being 
the first president of Napa bank. He became identified with public life in 
later years, holding important positions of trust. J. E. Pond, a college man, 
was at one time district attorney of Napa county and had a lucrative practice. 
R. E. Steere, another college man, was also district attorney and a splendid 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 171 

lawyer. Anson Bronson devoted his early days to Napa. He afterwards 
moved to Los Angeles and became attorney for great interests and commanded 
an enormous salary. A commanding figure, physically, he was endowed with 
a superior mind and the profession referred to him as a great lawyer. In his 
office John M. Coghlan studied his profession. One of the most lovable men 
in any profession, the most popular man in the state at the time of his death. 
An orator, a lawyer and a statesman, man of honor, perhaps no public man 
since the days of Broderick and Baker has passed to an untimely death with 
equal mourning. A member of our legislature, later a member of congress, 
United States attorney for the Northern District of California, tendered and 
refused a federal judgeship by President Grant, he finally sought the larger 
field offered for his profession in San Francisco, and was fast becoming one 
of its leading lights. 

W. C. Wallace was district judge of the old district, comprising the coun- 
ties of Solano, Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, Lake and Napa. He afterwards 
became superior judge in Napa. He was noted for his quick discernment and 
had a more natural or intuitive conception of the pertinency of evidence in 
the trial of a cause than any judge before whom the writer has had the pleas- 
ure of practicing. He was a man of unquestioned probity. 

Thomas P. Stoney, once county judge, was one of the best lawyers in 
California. He was not an advocate, but a lawyer. His advice and associa- 
tion were sought by other members of the bar. T. J. Tucker, once district 
attorney, was one of the early lawyers and known as a good lawyer. R. Bur- 
nell was a good lawyer and a good talker. G. W. Towle was once a county 
judge and afterwards practiced his profession until he died. Jonathan Horrell 
came here before the '60s. He was known as a shrewd attorney and became 
associated with important litigation. P. Hopkins was once district attorney. 

So little is known of many of the early members of the bar that little can be 
written of them. The haze of the intervening years has obscured the qualities 
by which, at the time, they may have been distinguished. Before passing the 
portals of that old life, so barred and closed to us now, two figures stand promi- 
nently out and to the ear of the writer their voices echo around the old halls. 
Pictured upon my mind as a boy is the old brick building where the present 
courthouse stands, and the courtroom at the south end and the purple draper- 
ies gathered around the judge's chair. I can see Henry Edgerton and Wirt 
Pendegast walking into the courtroom, laying down a book and turning, as 
each was wont, to chat with opposing counsel before the actual contest began. 
It is not to be inferred that they were contemporaries, for Edgerton was here 
in the '50s and had gone away before Pendegast arrived. It was from the elo- 
quence of Edgerton that the writer first thought of the great purposes of a 
profession which, if its limits were followed, tended to moral courage in a 
man. Edgerton's was a master mind. Scholarly, courteous, eloquent, he 
blended with these a voice as melodious as that of Edwin Booth, a brow as 
classic and, in the oft-repeated declamation of the great actors, in portraying 
Shakespeare's noblest part, a form and moving just as expressive and admir- 
able. The writer has looked upon the excited scenes of the greatest of modern 
senates; heard the celebrated debate between Conklin and Thurman ; has 
heard Blaine and the great men of those times and of this; but nowhere has he 
heard or read of the same majestic outpouring as from the lips of Edgerton. 
If satire, it withered the object of its visit; if laudation, it lifted beyond the 
realm of individuality. Whether it was a listening senate, a political assem- 
blage, before a jury, or in whatever form, he was the superb Henry Edgerton, 
without an equal in eloquence, in the judgment of wrong at a time when the 
struggles of this country developed the very highest qualities in public life. 
His great debate in our senate, at the outbreak of the civil war, was hailed 
throughout the Union. The men of that time loved to tell, in after years, of a 



172 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



hushed senate listening to the awful prophecies of disunion. How "millions 
of eyes of those who now feed their inherent love of liberty on the success of 
the American example, would turn away from beholding our dismemberment 
and find no place on earth whereon to rest their gratified sight," and in speak- 
ing of Virginia he said : "Proud mother of states and of statesmen ! Heaven 
forefend that through secession, disunion and revolution she shall become 
another Niobe of nations, another lone mother of dead empires, childless and 
crownless in her voiceless woe." 

Edgerton prepared his speeches, not so much by writing them, but by 
formulating them in his mind, and with a marvelous power of reproduction. 
His preparation was under the devoted influences of inspiration. He would 
walk the floor, formulating great sentences, bringing upon the mystic canvas 
the glow, the beauty and the passion of human life. Judge John J. De Haven, 
now United States district judge of the Northern District of California, sat in 
the senate with him in the '70s. That senate was composed of many big men. 
Upon one occasion Edgerton had prepared a great speech, but was prevented 
from delivering it by repeated interruptions incident to a running debate. 
Finally he seemed to discard entirely his preparations and entered into the 
spirit of the debate, which carried him along and far from the subject of his 
thoughts while engaged in preparation. His mind became tense, his person- 
ality majestic, and his opponents became but children in his hands. 

The Hon. W. W. Pendegast, a wonderful advocate, was a member of the 
Napa bar during the '60s and '70s. Over six feet in height, of magnetic pres- 
ence, genial, perhaps few men were better prepared to arouse the emotions 
upon great occasions or to convince the mind by analysis and reasoning. He 
had three great qualities, logic, the power of condensation and the art of quick 
and perfect formulating while on his feet. These rendered him almost invinci- 
ble as a debater. As a forensic orator he was perhaps unequaled in the state. 
In the minds of manjr a rivalry has been created in the fame of Edgerton and 
Pendegast. This is needless. They were different, the full powers of each 
finding development under different circumstances. Of one thing the mem- 
bers of the bar could feel assured, and that was this, that from either they 
could receive every consideration of fairness and every extension of courtesy. 
They were above the small things which often bring a noble profession into 
disrepute. Perhaps the most memorable trial in Napa was the Marbridge 
case, charged with murder. The act was committed under the tension of much 
brooding, and in justification of the sacred principle which makes a man 
guardian of the household honor. The address of Pendegast to the jury was a 
model of eloquence, and his appeal to the higher law was perhaps as perfect a 
tribute as any ever given. The court reporter at the trial told the writer that 
he started to take down, but as the orator warmed to the occasion his pen fell 
listless and all mechanical processes relaxed before the emotions aroused by 
the inspired eloquence of the great orator. So the appeal was lost, but to the 
older members of the present bar, the marvelous thrill of the occasion yet lin- 
gers as the one great example of a man calling from the infinite depth of the 
human soul every sentiment of chivalry and honor, clothed in poetic form and 
wonderful at the same time for condensation and logic. 

David McClure practiced here in the early '70s and went to San Francisco, 
where he took a leading position at the bar. He was several times a member 
of our state legislature and his reputation as a public man was state wide. 
Judge W. F. Henning, compiler of law books, was a member of our bar. Judge 
E. D. Ham was superior judge from 1890 to 1903. 

Of all the members of the Napa bar who have passed away, Dennis Spen- 
cer perhaps fills the fullest place in the memory of its present members. He 
was district attorney for two terms in the '70s and a state senator afterwards. 
He was a great jury lawyer. His success in criminal cases, both as a prosecu- 







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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 173 

tor and as a defender, won for him much merited fame throughout the state. 
While he was strong with any jury, he was at his best in criminal cases, and 
if he found the mind of a juror timid amid difficulties, inclined to forbearance, 
or harassed with doubt, it never failed to surrender to his argument. Without 
the logic or the power of condensation with which Pendegast was gifted, he 
had a wonderful faculty of convincing. Without a poetic temperament, he 
oftentimes painted the finest pictures. He was a lover of history, but he drew 
his portraits from human characters. With railery at times, and then strong 
denunciations and appeals to high-minded justice, he was of infinite variety 
and one of the first advocates in this state. Not always consecutive, there was 
the force behind the blow which made it effective. One of the wittiest of men, 
he used its keen edge when other weapons failed. Spencer in many ways was a 
character to be remembered. Social, with many friends, fearless, he died 
lamented in this state and deeply mourned by the people of this county. His 
sayings were remembered and quoted after his death. Nature was prodigal in 
her gifts when Spencer was born. He spent his childhood in Napa, amid rural 
prospects and under the influences of first conditions. His boyhood was sur- 
rounded by the best of influences in many ways, and yet at a time in our his- 
tory when the meanest of associations were apt to^embarrass every impulse. 
The writer has witnessed it all and knew the social order which made up the 
early environment. The parents, with their teachings and discipline, were 
unequal factors in the development of character. A boy was surrounded with 
the temptations of border life, stirred at times with the most generous of im- 
pulses, and in this oftentimes the most dangerous. 

Spencer emerged from this trackless course and became a character unique 
in the history of this state. His practice became lucrative, for his talents were 
soUght all through the state. 

Henry Hogan, although younger than some of the surviving members of 
the bar, is among those departed. He was once district attorney of Napa 
county. He had a bright mind and a poetic temperament, and was one of the 
best talkers we have had. Whether with a jury, at the banquet board or in 
public assemblies, he excelled. It is of the former members of the bar I am 
given to write, and of them many have stood the acknowledged exponents of 
a profession more closely than any other associated with the development of 
constitutional government. 



174 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 
ST. HELENA. 

By F. B. Mackinder. 

St. Helena is the gem of Napa county. It is not only the second town in 
size and importance, but its location is ideal, nestling, as it does, among vine- 
clad hills and surrounded by beautiful and well-kept vineyards and orchards. 
Fertile fields are devoted to diversified agricultural and horticultural pursuits 
and from such resources has St. Helena grown and prospered. It is not a 
large town, but maintains the air of thrift and there are evidences of prosper- 
ity on every hand. 

In the early days the noAV famous valley was heavily wooded with oak, fir, 
pine and redwood trees. It abounded with wild game of all kinds and there 
was, in place of the beauty of today, a grandeur fascinating to the pioneers of 
any new country. 

St. Helena is a part of the Carne Humana rancho, a Mexican grant that 
comprised all the northern portion of Napa valley from Bale slough. This was 
a grant to Dr. E. T. Bale and by him was deeded all lands purchased by the 
early settlers. The two men to first locate on the territory now within the 
towns limits of St. Helena were David Hudson and John York. They came 
here from Missouri in 1848. Purchasing land from Dr. Bale, they engaged in 
stock-raising and farming. Their homes were built within a short distance' of 
each other, the better to afford protection for their respective families from the 
Spaniards, who were troublesome at that time. There were some Indians 
here then, but they rarely caused the settlers trouble. 

In 1853 J. H. Still, an Englishman, attempted to purchase a tract of land 
about one and one-half miles south of St. Helena, having in view the establish- 
ment of a general merchandise store. There was a hitch in the transaction, so 
he bought where the business part of town now is and, erecting a store, began 
business with a small stock of general merchandise. There was no county 
road at that* time, the few settlers using the wood roads which wound among 
the trees. Soon a road was built to Mr. Still's store and a village was launched, 
afterwards to become the town of St. Helena. The wood road skirted the hills 
and passed near the residences of David Hudson and John York and by a 
circuitous route on up the valley to Calistoga. 

In 1855 Mr. Still, anxious to see a town started, offered to donate building 
lots to those who would engage in business. Among the first to take advan- 
tage of this offer was John Kister, who erected two buildings, and in one 
started a shoemaking and repairing business. In the same year A. Tainter, 
one of the early settlers, built a story and a half building for hotel purposes. 
In 1856 H. Dixon and John Howell opened a blacksmith shop. The same 
year Robert Calderwood opened a wagon and carriage-making establishment. 
A second store building was erected in 1856 by Christian Turkeldson, and thus, 
little by little, the village grew to become quite a business center. 

There is a difference of opinion as to how the town was finally named 
St. Helena. J. S. Kister has maintained that to Henry Still and William Tay- 
lor belongs the honor of naming the town. J. W. Booker, who was one of the 
early pioneers, and who but recently passed away, has maintained that it was 
he who gave the town its name. Be that as it may, the name was undoubtedly 
suggested from that fact that Mt. St. Helena stands as a sentinel at the head 
of Napa valley. 




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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 175 

The first schoolhouse was located on the bank of York creek, near where 
now stands St. Helena's beautiful tourist hotel, St. Gothard Inn. In 1858 this 
small building- was moved to the present location of the handsome two-story 
stone grammar school that now houses over three hundred .children and in 
which seven teachers are employed. St. Helena has a splendidly conducted 
high school. It was organized fifteen years ago and is accredited by both the 
Stanford University and the State University. In May, 1911, the sum of 
S30.000 was voted in bonds for the construction of a new high school building, 
and work on the handsome structure has been commenced. In addition to the 
grammar and high schools the Ursuline Sisters conduct a very fine school for 
voting ladies in St. Helena. The Seventh Day Adventists also maintain a day 
school. 

St. Helena has had a public library for the past twenty years. In 1908 
Andrew Carnegie gave to the town the sum of $8500 for a library building. 
The municipality purchased a central site and the town now has a library 
property valued at $11,000, and over two thousand books on the shelves. 

The first church was erected in St. Helena by the Baptists in 1857. Prior 
to that, however, there was built in 1853 a little church in the woods five miles 
north of town, and known until its destruction by fire a few years ago as "the 
old White Church." This was built by the settlers irrespective of denomina- 
tion and services were held there for many years, it finally becoming a barn 
in which hay was stored. There are in St. Helena at present substantial 
church edifices to house Baptists, Methodists. Presbyterians, Episcopalians, 
Catholics and Seventh Day Adventists. 

St. Helena was incorporated under a special act of the legislature on 
March 24, 1876. The first election for municipal officers was held on April 17, 
1876. and the following, were chosen : Trustees, H. A. Pellet, D. O. Hunt, 
W. T. Simmons, David Cole and G. C. Fountain; clerk, Charles A. Gardner; 
treasurer and collector, D. B. Carver; marshal and assessor, J. H. Allison. 
The board of trustees organized by the election of H. A. Pellet as president. 

The limitations of the special charter were such that, after several at- 
tempts, the town was, on May 14, 1889, reincorporated under the general laws 
of the state governing towns of the sixth class. The first board of trustees in 
the new order of things was composed of Owen Wade, president; M. F. In- 
man. H. M. Pond, H. A. Pellet and Frank Kraft; treasurer, J. G. Johnson; 
marshal, A. B. Swartout; clerk, James V. Haire. 

The first municipal improvement of note after reincorporation was the 
construction of a sanitary sewer through the main business portion of town 
and the purchase of a sewer farm. This system has been gradually increased 
until there are now nearly three miles of sewer mains and a septic tank at the 
farm that disposes of the sewage. The farm is now rented and the town de- 
rives a small income from that source. 

The St. Helena Water Company, a private corporation, furnishes pure 
mountain water for fire, domestic and irrigation purposes. There is a splendid 
pressure, and water hydrants for fire purposes are distributed all over town. 

The Napa Valley Electric Co., also a private corporation, furnishes electric 
lights and power, distributing juice from the Snow Mountain Water and Pow- 
er Company's plant on the Eel river. This same local concern also owns the 
gas works and furnishes gas for lighting and cooking. 

Napa county is noted, among other things, for its stone bridges. The 
first one of any size was built in St. Helena at a. cost of $15,000. Now every 
stream in town is spanned by bridges of stone. These as well as many of the 
business structures were built from stone taken from quarries in the vicinity of 
St. Helena. There are eight miles of cement walks in St. Helena. A contract 
was awarded in January for the paving of Main street. 



176 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



The present board of town trustees is composed of Edward P. Bellani, 
president; A. N. Bell, L. G. Clark, John C. Money and W. F. Bornhorst. The 
clerk is Otto Behrns; marshal, Millard Dockery; treasurer, W. A. Elgin. The 
town has a superintendent of streets, health officer, night watchman and other 
necessary officials who are appointees of the board of trustees. 

St. Helena has an excellent volunteer fire department of two hose and 
one hook and ladder company. A great deal of interest is manifested in this 
important branch of the municipality. 

The town has two newspapers — the St. Helena Star, owned and edited by 
Frank B. Mackinder, who has also been postmaster since March 1, 1899, and 
the St. Helena Sentinel, conducted by G. O. Mercer. 

St. Helena is well supplied with secret orders. St. Helena Lodge No. 93, 
F. & A. M., was organized November 24, 1855. It has over one hundred 
members, and the present master is Dr. Leslie A. Stern. St. Helena Chapter 
No. 63, R. A. M., is the other branch of Masonry here and the present high 
priest is W. W. Lyman. There is also a local chapter of Eastern Star, Mrs. 
F. L. Beck being worthy matron. 

St. Helena Lodge No. 167, I. O. O. F., was organized January 31, 1870. 
It is a prosperous order and owns a fine two-story brick and stone structure on 
Main street. There is also a thriving lodge of Rebekahs. The other orders 
represented are the Knights of Pythias, United Ancient Order of Druids, Na- 
tive Sons of the Golden West, Improved Order of Red Men and Woodmen of 
the World. 

There are three banks in St. Helena — the Carver National bank and Sav- 
ings Bank of Helena, affiliated, and the Bank of St. Helena. The combined 
assets are nearly $1,000,000. There is also a postal savings bank. 

Business enterprises are well represented. The little split-log hotel has 
long since disappeared and now there are the Hotel St. Helena, Gray Gables 
and St. Gothard Inn. 

The stores are all up to date and well kept. They are supported by the 
farming communities of Napa valley, Conn valley, Chiles valley and Pope val- 
ley. Viticulture and numerous wineries have led to the upbuilding of a coop- 
erage factory, where a large number of men are employed. A branch of a 
Napa glove factory employs a large number of women and girls and a few 
boys. 

The homes in and about St. Helena are evidence of the prosperity of the 
people, while the climate and the nearby mineral springs and summer resorts 
attract many visitors who revel in the warm sunshine and gather the wild 
flowers from the fragrant hillsides, while envying the happy lot of those whose 
homes are in such a favored spot of the great state of California. 




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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 177 



CHAPTER XL. 
CALISTOGA. 

By I. C. Adams. 

The beautiful little town of Calistoga is situated in the upper end of Napa 
valley, at the base of Mt. Helena, seventy-two miles from San Francisco. It 
has an elevation of three hundred and three feet, and is thirty miles from the 
Pacific ocean in a direct line. The first survey of the town was made in 1860 
by T. J. Dewoody, who was at that time county surveyor. He again surveyed 
it and the adjoining lands in 1866. T. W. Morgan made a survey in 1871, at 
which time it was called Calistoga, or Little Geysers, and Hot Sulphur 
Springs. During all this time most of the land in the upper end of the valley 
was owned by Samuel Brannan, but soon after the last survey was made he 
commenced selling off tracts of land to any one who would buy. It was Mr. 
Brannan who helped to get the railroad in this end of the valley by bringing 
voters from San Francisco and other places, keeping them here so they could 
legally vote on the question when it came up. 

The name Calistoga, according to one authority, was made from the two 
Spanish words caliente and toga; caliente meaning hot, and toga, cloak. These 
words when combined signified a person's feelings when taking a hot mud bath 
for the first time. Another authority says that these springs so resemble the 
Saratoga springs, and being in California, that the two names were combined 
and the word Calistoga resulted. 

Mt. Helena, generally called Mt. St. Helena, is at the extreme end of the 
valley and is the highest peak in this part of the state, being 4343 feet in 
height. From its summit may be seen San Francisco bay, Mt. Shasta, the 
Pacific ocean and a great many towns and cities. On the highest point of this 
mountain, known as the "third peak," an iron stake is driven which marks the 
point where the three counties, Lake, Sonoma and Napa, come together. It is 
said that at one time Mt. Helena was an active volcano, but there seems to be 
no good proof of this, but back of the range of hills northeast of Calistoga, 
and which branches from Mt. Helena, there is a crater, and it is claimed that 
what is known as "the cliffs," or "high rocks," were thrown out of this crater. 

From the numerous roads leading away from Calistoga and winding in 
and out among the hills, many beautiful views of the valley may be had, with 
its farms, vineyards and orchards, with here and there a dwelling amongst 
the big oak trees. The hills are covered with a wealth of trees of different 
varieties, the principal ones being redwood, fir, madrone, oak, maple and pep- 
perwood, or California mahogany, and in the spring some fine trout fishing 
may be had in the mountain streams. There are many beautifid homes here, 
and "moneyed men" from different parts of the state are coming here and 
purchasing homes, claiming that there is nothing in the way of natural attract- 
iveness and location to excel what we have. The hills on either side of this 
valley protect it from the cold fogs as well as the hot winds of the interior. 
There is sufficient rainfall every year to guarantee good crops, and it is a fact 
that we have never had a drought. Surrounding Calistoga are numerous 
farms, vineyards and orchards and the people are thrifty, industrious and 
prosperous. The soil is of great depth and fertility and will grow anything 
that can be grown in the north temperate zone. Alfalfa may be raised to per- 
fection without irrigation, as many as five crops having been taken off in one 
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178 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

year. Some of the hills surrounding the towns are cultivated to their summits. 
With the ideal climatic conditions here existing, the poultry industry, which is 
yet in its infancy, is sure to become one of the most profitable ones of the com- 
munity. 

Another one of the advantages for which the town has long been noted is 
the hot sulphur water which underlies that portion of the town east of Napa 
river. This hot water is only a few feet beneath the surface of the ground 
and may easily be reached by boring or digging, and aside from the medicinal 
virtues contained, it makes ideal water for washing or bathing, as it is hot 
and is quite soft. It is the opinion of the writer that at some future time, not 
far distant, this hot water will be used to heat dwellings, keeping them at a 
uniform temperature. This may easily be done, and at a small initial cost. 
This hot sulphur water is a specific for many diseases and it needs but capital 
and enterprise to make these springs as great as any other watering place in 
the world. Only a few miles from town are mines which are remarkably rich 
in quicksilver and silver, and the mountains are known to contain rich deposits 
of gold-bearing quartz, though at present there is no attempt to get it out. 
Some of the old settlers relate numerous stories regarding the number of deer 
and wild pigeons that formerly lived in this valley. George Tucker once told 
the writer that it used to be a common occurrence in the night to hear large 
limbs break under the weight of pigeons that roosted on them . 

Among the names of some of the old settlers in this valley, in this com- 
munity, may be mentioned the following: Sam Brannan, Alexander Badlam, 
George and Jack Tucker, Peter Teale, Mrs. M. A. R. Brown, John Cyrus, John 
Wolfe, Margaret Grauss, George Hoover, John Hoover and Martha Bryant. 
The town boasts of four active churches, viz : Methodist, Presbyterian, Sev- 
enth Day Adventist and Catholic. Four blacksmith shops, two general mer- 
chandise stores, a fine hardware store, four grocery stores, laundry, two livery 
stables, drug store, butcher shop, doing a retail and wholesale business ; a 
bank, free public library, two school buildings, with a complement of five 
teachers, including the teacher of the high school ; a weekly newspaper, a fine 
water system, volunteer fire department, two large hotels, large lodging 
house, restaurant, a twenty-four-hour service in both telephone and electric 
light and power, and a large garage. The factory where the Ward fireless 
brooder is manufactured is located in town, and hundreds of these machines 
are shipped out annually. Of the fraternal orders the following are repre- 
sented : Native Sons, Native Daughters, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Masons and 
Eastern Star. There is a Civic club and a. live Promotion club. 

An electric railway has been started, running from Santa Rosa to Middle- 
town, in Lake county, and this road runs within five miles of Calistoga, tap- 
ping the territory to the west of town, coming by the petrified forest and 
along the site of the proposed manual trades and training school. Quite a 
little of the grading for the road has been done and when completed will no 
doubt be well patronized. The petrified forest, a forest of petrified trees that 
have undoubtedly been covered for many centuries and are one of California's 
wonders, is but five miles from Calistoga. 

Calistoga is an incorporated town and has a population of seven hundred 
and fifty-one. It is the terminus of the Napa valley branch of the Southern 
Pacific railway that was built in 1868. The railway company gives a fine 
service, having four passenger trains each way to and from San Francisco 
each day. The Napa Valley electric railway, which now runs as far as St. 
Helena, will soon be continued to Calistoga, bonds having been issued for that 
purpose. Calistoga is the starting point for all the stages that leave for Lake- 
port and other towns and summer resorts in Lake county. All this travel is 
handled by William Spiers, who has as fine a livery stable, stages and other 
equipment as can be found anywhere, and a small army of men, each man 




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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 179 

trained to do the work required of him, and in this way the business is handled 
without friction and in keeping with the establishment. He also has a fine 
automobile garage. Stages run direct to Middletown, Lower Lake, Lakeport, 
Kelseyville and Glenbrook, as well as to all the resorts in Lake county, the 
principal ones being Adams, Hoberg, Harbin, Spiers and Anderson springs. 

The Geysers, in Sonoma county, are but twenty miles from Calistoga 
and are one of the many wonders of this glorious state, while in the petrified 
forest, mentioned above, may be seen petrified trees of great size and so per- 
fectly petrified that the grain of the wood may be distinctly seen, and one may 
even tell the different varieties of trees in this way. 

The streets of Calistoga are lighted by electricity and on Saturday even- 
ings there are over four hundred extra lights burned, which gives the main 
thoroughfare an appearance of fairyland. Hotel Calistoga, a three-story struc- 
ture, erected at a cost of over $40,000, is one of the best hotels in Napa county. 
It contains forty-two nicely furnished rooms, many of them en suite and with 
bath. There is both hot and cold water in every room and also call bells. The 
building is lighted throughout with both gas and electricity. There is a large 
swimming tank run in connection and the natural hot water is pumped in and 
cooled off with city water. This hotel is run in connection with the Hotel 
Dale of San Francisco. 

On account of the wonderful curative properties of the hot water in this 
vicinity, Gen. Walter Turnbul! has had a modern bathhouse erected with, all 
the latest appliances. The water furnished the town is obtained from over 
seventy-five mountain springs which empty into a large reservoir, and from 
there the water is piped to town. This water cannot be excelled anywhere for 
its purity and freedom from foreign matter and contaminating chemicals. 

There is no floating or bonded indebtedness and the taxes are lower than 
in any other community in the county. Napa valley is noted for her fine roads, 
and Calistoga has her share. Visitors are enraptured with the view obtained 
when coming up the valley. The Promotion club has been instrumental in 
bringing the town and this part of the valley before the public and is an im- 
portant factor in directing the attention of the home-seeker and investor to 
the opportunities and advantages here offered. The Methodist church was 
the first to be erected and at first was used as a day school, Mrs. Martha L. 
Bryant being the first teacher. The primary school building was erected in 
1870 and the school was transferred from the church to this new building. 
The grammar school building was erected in 1888 and has at present (1911) 
a complement of five teachers, which includes the teacher of the high school. 
Concrete sidewalks are being rapidly laid and soon all the streets will be thor- 
oughly up to date in this respect. There is a large auditorium belonging to 
the Masons which will hold about four hundred people without crowding. All 
the largest entertainments are held in this hall, while for the smaller affairs 
there is the Odd Fellows' hall, which has a rock-maple floor and is considered 
one of the best dancing floors in the county. Taken all in all, Calistoga pre- 
sents great inducements to the prospective home-seeker, and if healthfulness, 
prosperity and location are considered, he will not need to look further. 



CHANCELLOR HARTSON 

On the roll of Napa's honored pioneers appears the name of Chancellor 
Hartson, who for years was recognized as a man of great strength of char- 
acter, of high purpose and lofty principles. His activity and energy and his 
blameless and self-sacrificing life left their impress upon the community 
where for many years he had been a leading citizen, and the news of his sud- 
den death came as a keen blow to the residents of the town and county, and 
indeed of the entire state, for his work and influence were not bounded by the 
spot he called home. 

As were many of California's pioneer settlers, Chancellor Hartson was 
a native of the far east, his birth occurring in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1824. 
Such privileges as came to him for gaining an education were improved to the 
utmost and at the age of twenty-one he graduated from Madison University. 
In the meantime he had mapped out his career, which was to involve a thor- 
ough legal training, and three years after making the resolution he received 
his diploma from the Fowler law school and in 1850 he was admitted to 
practice in the supreme court. Coincident with this event in his life was the 
excitement due to the finding of gold in California, a circumstance that was 
destined to have its effect on his after life. Instead of settling in the east he 
joined the throngs of ambitious young men who came to the west at that 
time, and, after looking about for a few months, finally chose the Napa valley 
for his future home. Opening a law office, he began the life work for which 
he was so well fitted and for forty years he rendered conscientious service to 
all who entrusted their affairs to him. Honors came to him in 1853, when 
he was elected to the office of district attorney, and at the close of his first 
term he was elected judge of the county, a position which he filled with ex- 
ceptional ability until 1858. Such was the character of the man that his 
fellow-citizens placed the utmost confidence in his judgment and ability, and 
it is therefore not surprising that he was called upon repeatedly to represent 
them in the assembly and senate, and more than once he was the choice of 
the best people of the state for governor and for congress. Public life, how- 
ever, was not his ambition, and while he waived these honors, still he left his 
impress on the political history of the state and the party for whose principles 
he stood. 

If one were limited to one word in which to depict the best in the make- 
up of Judge Hartson that word would be large-heartedness. In him the com- 
mon people had a stanch and true friend and the glamor of political power, 
the influence of money and the honors of office which might have been his, 
were powerless to deter him from the course which he had chosen, and which 
left him free to work along lines which had to do with the more personal life 
of his fellow-men. Observation had convinced him that the liquor evil was 
one of the darkest blots on the fair name of state and nation and the latter 
years of his life were devoted to a well-planned campaign against the saloon 
and its allied evils. Like many another unselfish and earnest worker for the 
betterment of his fellow-men, he fell a martyr to the cause so dear to his 
heart, overworked brain and burdened heart giving way under the great pres- 
sure. 

Beneficent as well as benevolent, Mr. Hartson gave freely of his means 
to all good works, and many a burdened heart and worthy enterprise took on 



184 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

new life through the material assistance which was always given with a word 
of cheer and encouragement. Truly was it said of him in the funeral address 
by one who knew him well : "If all who have been helped by this brave and 
tender man could be present today to drop a flower on his grave, his body 
would rest tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers." Needless to say that a 
man so tender toward all mankind was peculiarly blessed and happy in his 
domestic life, and notwithstanding his many and varied interests, his chief 
interest centered about his home and family. At his death, September 25, 
1889 : a wife, daughter and two sons mourned the loss of a devoted husband 
and loving father. In 1854 Mr. Hartson married Miss Electa Burnell, the 
daughter of Judge Joel Burnell, of New York, and for thirty-five years he 
enjoyed the love and companionship of one who was in full sympathy with 
his hopes and aims. Mrs. Hartson survived her husband a number of years, 
passing away in Napa in June, 1902. The eldest of the four children born tc 
them was Burnell Hartson, now a resident of Eureka, Cal. Ernest Hartson 
died at the age of fifteen years. Channing K. Hartson is a well-known capi- 
talist of Spokane, Wash. The only daughter of the family, Asenath, is the 
widow of the late Judge Walter B. Cope, whose death in 1909 was a deep 
loss to legal circles. A native of San Francisco, Judge Cope was the son of 
Judge Walton W. Cope, ex-supreme judge of California. He was a graduate 
of the University of California and of the Hastings' Law school, and opened 
his first office for the practice of his profession in Santa Barbara. Twice he 
was elected superior judge, but resigned while in his second term to engage 
in practice in San Francisco with Mr. Morrison, under the name of Morrison 
& Cope, the firm becoming recognized as one of the most successful in legal 
matters in the city. Fraternally he was a Mason. At his death he left a wife 
and two children, the latter Chancellor Hartson Cope and Anne Burnell Cope. 
In the early history of the city of Napa Judge Hartson was to be found 
in the forefront of all uplifting and humanitarian projects. He was a member 
of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was president of 
the board of directors for the insane asylum, was president of Napa County 
Bank, and he was also the prime factor in making Napa College the powerful 
educational factor that it ultimately became. On every board of which he 
was a member he was the leader and inspiration of every forward movement, 
indeed it can be truthfully said that Judge Hartson did more to advance Napa 
and her best interests than any other man who ever made this city his home. 
His only daughter, Mrs. Cope, is continuing her father's interest in this city, 
and is now erecting what will be the finest building in the city at the corner 
of Main and Third streets. 



WILLIAM BAKER. 

A degree of prosperity contrasting almost strangely with the times of his 
boyhood and the deprivations of his youth has been attained by William 
Baker in his farming and horticultural undertakings. Identified with Solano 
county for a long period, he is a native of Missouri and was born near Fulton, 
Callaway county, April 1, 1834. He is a son of Samuel K. and Sarah J. Baker, 
natives of Bourbon county, Ky., and their parents were natives of Virginia. 
In 1828 Mr. and Mrs. Samuel K. Baker removed to Callaway county, Mo., 
where they were pioneer farmers. The father died in 1836, and the mother 
died in Solano county in 1899 at the age of eighty-eight years and one day. 
The family was of sturdy pioneer stock. The hardships incident to existence 
on the frontier did not dismay them. The father worked busily in the field 
and the mother labored in the little cabin home, the sole aim of both being to 
promote the welfare of their children. Without doubt their united efforts 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 185 

would have won success had life been spared to the father, but he was taken 
from the family when William was a very small child and the latter, after 
having remained for a considerable period with his widowed mother, went 
to live with an uncle at the age of twelve. The schools of Callaway and 
Boone counties furnished him with an education of considerable breadth for 
those days. After he was fourteen he did not attend school, but took upon 
himself the task of earning a livelihood. Now he is fond of saying that he 
has not finished his education yet, for he is still learning something every day. 
In early life he worked in the lumber business and also learned and followed 
the engineer's trade. 

The marriage of William Baker and Margaret J. Hanna, a native of Co- 
lumbia, Boone, county, Mo., was solemnized February 16, 1858, and it was 
their rare and delightful privilege, fifty years from that day, to celebrate their 
golden wedding, with all of their descendants present to extend good wishes. 
In addition a large circle of warm friends united in expressing the hope that 
this semi-centennial of earthly love might be a type of a perfect centennial 
above. Mrs. Baker's father, Samuel G. Hanna, a native of Scott county, Ky., 
was an own cousin of the illustrious statesman, Mark Hanna; her mother 
bore the maiden name of Jane P. Johnson ; she was also of Scott county, Ky., 
and lived to be forty-three years of age. 

Nine children were born to the union of William and Margaret Baker. 
Three are deceased, Leslie T., Henry J. and Elizabeth Amanda. The last- 
named married Joseph H. McCune of Dixon, Cal., and at her death left two 
daughters. The elder daughter, Barbara, is the wife of Wyman Morse of 
Dixon and the mother of a daughter, Virginia Morse, who represents the 
fourth generation of the Baker family in California. Six of the children of 
Mr. and Mrs. Baker now survive, namely: Philip S., William S., Edward E., 
Cary Hanna, Mattie S. and Ida May, all of whom received splendid educational 
advantages. Of the daughters now living Mattie S., Mrs. Robert Stephens of 
Dixon, is the mother of two children, Carroll and Elizabeth ; Ida May, who 
married Henry W. Humphrey, resides in Winters. 

The eldest surviving son in the Baker family is Philip S. of Winters. He 
married Ruth Pulsifer and has three children, Percy F., Margie M. and Wanda 
M. William S. Baker, a banker residing in Solano county, married Miss 
Florence Preble, and they have one child. Edward E., who chose as his wife 
Mary Hilburn, is the father of two daughters, Margaret and Dorothy. Cary 
H., a resident of Watsonville, Cal., married Myrtle Harold and is the father 
of three children, William H., Robert C. and Lyman P. It is a source of sat- 
isfaction to Mr. and Mrs. Baker that they have their children still near them, 
none having moved from the state. Since 1864 the family home has been in 
Solano county, although for a time thereafter Mr. Baker engaged in raising 
potatoes near Sacramento. The overflow of the river proved disastrous to his 
crops and he then turned his attention to raising wheat, leasing land from 
John Wolfskill for twenty-one years. At times he leased as much as two 
thousand acres. In 1875 he and his brother, Samuel K., bought nine hundred 
acres on Putah creek, adjoining Winters. Later a tract of that size east of 
the home place was bought and then sold at a profit. One hundred and thirty- 
five acres have been improved to orchards of apricots, peaches, almonds, figs 
and olives, and the returns average from $10,000 to $12,000 per year. Sixty 
acres are in alfalfa and the balance in pasture and grain. 

With his wife, Mr. Baker holds membership in the Baptist church and 
for many years has been an earnest supporter of its doctrines, as well as a 
regular contributor to its maintenance. For forty years or more he has 
given good service as school trustee, and during all of that period he has mani- 
fested an unceasing interest in educational development Financially inter- 
ested in both of the banks at Winters, he has served upon their boards of 



186 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

directors, besides being financially interested in the creamery and cannery. 
All local business enterprises have felt the benefit of his aid and encourage- 
ment. No deserving project lacks his co-operation. For the past fifty-three 
years he has been a member of the Masonic order, being a life member of 
Silveyville Lodge No. 201, F. & A. M., at Dixon; Dixon Chapter No. 48, R. 
A. M. ; Woodland Commandery, K. T., and himself and wife are life members 
of Yosolano Chapter. O. E. S., at Winters. Mr. Baker is also a member and 
officer in Winters Lodge, A. O. U. W. In every department of activity, 
whether fraternal, commercial, religious, horticultural or educational, he has 
been among the leaders in his community and by his long, useful life of con- 
tentment and industry he has given inspiration to those about him. 



DAVID STERLING KYSER. 

Intimate identification with the history of Napa through a long period 
has brought to Mr. Kyser the standing and influential position abundantly 
justified by his tireless and varied activities. It would be difficult indeed to 
name any public movement of undoubted value which has lacked the impetus 
of his encouraging aid and practical helpfulness. Significant of his standing 
among the people as an able citizen and progressive man is the fact of his 
selection in 1907 as mayor of Napa, a position that he has since filled with 
self-sacrificing devotion and executive ability. Another important position 
that he filled gratuitously and satisfactorily was that of trustee of the Napa 
school district, in which capacity he served for four useful years. Although 
not inclined to mingle in public affairs, preferring to concentrate his attention 
upon business matters, he has granted the solicitation of others that he fill 
these important positions and has done all within his power to advance the 
local interests educationally, commercially and morally. 

The early years of D. S. Kyser were filled with hardships and toil, but 
the star of hope ever lured him onward to a future of success and he toiled 
undismayed through the period of his servitude in the coal mines. Born at 
Wilkesbarre, Luzerne county, Pa., April 9, 1852, he was reared on a farm and 
attended the country schools whenever it was possible for him to do so. With 
the money he earned in the mines he was enabled to attend Wyoming semi- 
nary and there qualified himself for teaching. After he had passed the required 
examination he engaged in teaching school, but abandoned that work in order 
to learn the trade of a plasterer. Meanwhile he had heard much concerning 
the opportunities offered by the west and in the hope of bettering his financial 
condition he migrated to California, leaving Pennsylvania on New Year's day 
of 1875, and landing at San Francisco January 24 from the steamer Acapulo, 
on which he had sailed from Panama. 

The first work secured by the young plasterer began January 25, 1875, 
in the Palace hotel. That famous old building was the center of his first 
western activities. From there he came to Napa in August, 1875, and was 
employed on the plastering contract at the state asylum. In this city, Octo- 
ber 24, 1876, he was married to Miss Nettie Giles, who remained his devoted 
helpmate until her death, February 7, 1901. Three children were born of that 
union : John Giles ; Frances, now the wife of Grafton Pinkham ; and Mar- 
jorie. The second marriage of Mr. Kyser was solemnized March 10, 1902, and 
united him with Mrs. Laura A. Nichols of this city. Upon discontinuing work 
at his trade Mr. Kyser formed a partnership with James Giles, the father of 
his first wife, and the two men carried on a furniture and undertaking busi- 
ness. Later the title was changed to Giles, Kyser & Welti. During 1888 Mr. 
Kyser bought the interests of his partners and conducted the business alone. 
The furniture department was sold in December of 1908, since which time he 










I 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 189 

has given his attention to undertaking. March 10, 1910, he moved to his pres- 
ent quarters, built exclusively and especially for mortuary purposes, and com- 
prising a two -story brick block which is said to be the finest undertaking estab- 
lishment in the entire state. 

In addition to his other interests Mr. Kyser has found time to become 
familiar with the banking business and is the president of the Napa Savings 
Bank, besides being director of the First National Bank of this city. As a 
financier he is conservative, careful, keen and resourceful and his identifica- 
tion with the two institutions has been promotive of their sound management 
and ultimate prosperity. A goodly number of fraternities have received the 
benefit of his helpful association. Included among these may be mentioned 
the Druids and Eagles, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the 
Masonic Order, in which he has risen to the thirty-second degree. 



BENJAMIN F. RUSH. 

Rarely, indeed, do we find a character that through all phases of life, 
more especially the successful portion, retains unsullied its original fineness 
of principle. An example of a man whose generous and manly qualities have 
but mellowed and become more beautiful with the passing years, is Mr. Rush, 
one of Solano county's oldest and most beloved citizens, as well as a man of 
public affairs, representing in the state senate the people of his heart. His 
birth occurred October 12, 1852, in Sacramento, Cal., where his parents had 
settled in 1849, the year made famous in history by the rush of the Argonauts 
the year after the discovery of gold in this state. His paternal grandparents 
emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early period, later settling in 
South Bend, Ind., where, upon completion of his education, their son Hiram, 
father of Benjamin F., accepted a position as clerk. He first married Miss 
Inwood, by whom he had two daughters, Eleanor and Sarah ; upon her death 
he married the sister, Sarah Inwood, and to them were born three children: 
Benjamin F. ; Mary, now Mrs. W. K. Fletcher, of San Francisco ; and Kate, 
who also resides in that city. In 1849 Mr. Rush purchased a small herd of 
cattle and with his family started across the plains, serving as captain of the 
ox-train with which they traveled. Upon reaching Sacramento Mr. Rush and 
his family were so pleased with the general appearance of the country there- 
about that they decided to make their home there, and accordingly withdrew 
from the party, which proceeded without them. Into the wide range of lux- 
uriant, natural pasturage Mr. Rush turned his cattle, and beyond an occa- 
sional trip to satisfy himself that they remained within home bounds, for 
some months he had no further care of them, and therefore found himself free 
to engage in the hotel business in what was then known as Fourteen Mile 
House. Later he was obliged to devote his entire attention to his rapidly 
increasing herd, and thereupon his capable wife took charge of the hostelry. 
Success crowned both ventures, but in 1852, the year of the birth of Benjamin 
F., they decided to remove to a more healthful climate. They chose for their 
new home a location in the Protrero hills, in the southwestern part of Solano 
county, where they again gave their cattle free range, but the following year 
changed their domicile to Suisun, where for many years the family resided. 
Success continued with Mr. Rush and he soon became one of the most pros- 
perous men of the county. His herd increased until at one time he had three 
thousand, thus marketing large quantities of beef. He was also the owner of 
several hundred horses and his land interests were very extensive, covering 
at one period fifty-one thousand acres, a portion of which was located in 
Monterey county. For many years he also held an interest in the well known 



190 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Luco grant, situated in the same county, and was the owner of several valuable 
dwellings in Suisun. In 1865 the family removed to San Francisco, where 
they purchased a home and where the children received the best educational 
advantages obtainable at that period. Though Mr. Rush disposed of much 
of his property his possessions at the time of his death were larger than thos« 
of any other citizen of the county. One time owner of the Masonic block in 
Suisun, he was a Mason worthy the name, endeavoring at all times to live 
up to the high standard of morality and intelligence which has ever been the 
criterion of the Masonic organization. His untimely death occurred in an 
accident while crossing a creek, when he was thrown from a vehicle December 
4, 1869, leaving his bereft family and a large circle of friends to mourn his 
sudden demise. He was then but sixty years old and with, as it seemed, 
years of comfort and activity before him. His part in the development of the 
county was so practical and so indicative of his broad and unselfish nature 
that his name will not soon be forgotten. 

Benjamin F. Rush accompanied his parents to Solano county when he 
was a babe of two years and there remained until 1865, when at the age of 
thirteen years he went with the family to San Francisco. He attended the 
schools of both San Francisco and Oakland, applying himself to his studies 
with interest. Later he entered the Oakland Military Academy and upon 
completion of his course finished his education by receiving a thorough busi- 
ness training in Heald's Business College of San Francisco. The next five 
years he served as bookkeeper in the employ of Titcomb & Williams of San 
Francisco, but he resigned this position to take charge of his father's interests 
in Solano county. Since 1875 he has devoted his efforts to the business in 
which his father was so long engaged, and in which he has been most suc- 
cessful. He raises sheep as well as cattle and it is his opinion that this climate 
•is more conducive than any other to the well being of the famous Short Dur- 
ham. Mr. Rush markets much of his beef, but devotes his chief interest to 
the breeding of his stock, the herd increasing by about two hundred calves 
annually. His sheep, also, are many of them very high grade, and his herd 
numbered at one time fully five thousand. Besides his stock interests, Mr. 
Rush markets in San Francisco large quantities of grain, and to facilitate the 
labor of shipping he has constructed two landings, one on the Suisun slough, 
known as Rush's landing, and the other on Montezuma slough. Not the 
least of his large interests is his fine herd of standard bred horses, many of 
which have excellent records as trotters. He has been intensely interested 
in the breeding of harness horses, starting in with C. F. D. Hasting in super- 
intending the breeding and raising of horses on the Hasting's ranch for ten 
years, or until the death of Mr. Hasting, since which time he has continued 
in the business at the Protrero Hills ranch of three thousand acres, about two 
miles from Suisun. Among the celebrated horses he has raised is Mamie R., 
which sold for $6,000; Ben F., record 2:07y 2 ; Solano Boy, 2 :07% ; Denervo, 
2:06%; Ben Rush, 2:10>4 at three years old; Nemonio, 2:09%, and Miss 
Winn, 2:10^. He raised the dam of Mono Wilkes, 2:03%; Aerolite, 2:05^ 
at three years old, that was sold for $8,000. In the Suisun valley he owns a 
fruit ranch of seven hundred acres six miles northwest of the city, of which 
forty acres are in full bearing. The orchard is in peaches, apricots, prunes 
and pears, all of which Mr. Rush has set out since purchasing the ranch. 

In 1876 Mr. Rush was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. McKean, 
a native of Astoria, Ore. Of the seven children born to them we mention the 
following: Richard I., who graduated from Stanford University with the 
degree of E. E., is a rancher and stockdealer of Suisun ; Frederick W. gradu- 
ated from the same university with the degree of C. E., and is now cashier of 
the Kern County Land Company at Bakersfield; Eleanor is at home; Mary 
is Mrs. Gurnett, of Fairfield; Benjamin is connected with the Kern County 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 191 

Land Company at Bakersfield; and Hiram and Annabelle are both at home. 
For some time Mr. Rush assisted in the management of the Solano County 
Republican, one of Suisun's leading papers, and also served four years as 
sheriff of Solano county. He is a director of the Solano County Bank, was 
the first president of the Solano County Agricultural Society of the thirty- 
sixth district, for the past twelve years has been a member of the State Agri- 
cultural Society, and for six years president of the society and ex-officio regent 
of the State University. In 1904 he was elected state senator for Napa and 
Solano counties, his re-election following without opposition in 1908, and in 
this honored office he puts forth the most conscientious efforts in behalf of 
his community, all of the members of which have faith in his executive ability. 
Mr. Rush was a member of the committee for selecting the location of the 
state agricultural farm at Davisville, securing a tract of nearly eight hundred 
acres for the agricultural department of the State University. He was chair- 
man of the agricultural committee during the first and second sessions, and 
also the last two sessions. He is now chairman of the committee on hospitals 
and asylums, and was active in securing the necessary appropriation for the 
Napa state hospital and the Yountville Veterans' home, and is also a member 
of the committee on finance, agriculture and dairying, drainage, swamp and 
overflow lands, mining and oil industries, fruit and vine interests, and roads 
and highways. Mr. Rush is an intimate friend of Governor Johnson, both 
meeting on common ground in their labors for the best interests of their be- 
loved state. The name of Mr. Rush is well known in Masonic circles, he 
having taken the Scottish Rite and the Knight Templar degrees, and he is 
also a member of the Shrine. Thoroughly optimistic in his outlook on life, 
Mr. Rush fully merits the high regard of his countless friends and associates. 



FRANKLIN McNEAL. 

After having followed agriculture, surveying, and in his younger years 
following the teacher's profession for a brief period, Franklin McNeal directed 
his energies to the fruit industry and after he came to California, settling in 
Solano county during 1895, he devoted himself to horticulture with gratifying 
results. The various occupations in which he engaged indicate the versatility 
of his mind. It was possible for him, through sagacious judgment and pains- 
taking industry, to accumulate a competence and eventually he retired from 
manual labor, renting his farm and enjoying in contentment the comforts ac- 
cumulated during a long and useful existence until his death, February 3, 1912. 

Ohio was the native commonwealth of Franklin McNeal, and April 8, 
1839. the date of his birth. When he was a boy Ohio was at the extreme edge 
of civilization. Beyond it were the vast forests, the uncultivated prairies, the 
wild animals and the yet wilder savages. There were few schools in the 
Buckeye state and the children of the pioneers became more skilled in farming 
or in the domestic arts than in literary lore. Through arduous efforts, how- 
ever, it was possible for Mr. McNeal to secure a fair knowledge of the three R's, 
and when he became a teacher in young manhood he was qualified for thor- 
ough work with the pupils. During the Civil war his sympathies, always 
eagerly enlisted on the side of the Union, led him to offer his aid to the coun- 
try and he was accepted as a private in Company I, One Hundred Forty-eighth 
Ohio Infantry. Assigned to duty in Virginia, he acted as a guard on the 
James river for some time and was also sent to other points near the border 
line between the two armies. 

Upon receiving an honorable discharge at the close of the war Mr. McNeal 
returned to Ohio and for several years made his home in the vicinity of Mari- 
etta. When he followed the tide of emigration that drifted toward the west he 



192 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

first settled in Illinois and for some time held a position as deputy surveyor of 
Christian county. Going still further toward the west, he settled in Kansas 
and took up a homestead near Clay Center, the county seat of Clay county, 
where he tilled the soil in the summer and taught school during the winter 
months. In addition he engaged to some extent in surveying, and defined a 
large number of boundary lines in that new country. Upon leaving Kansas 
for California he brought with him considerable capital, representing the re- 
sult of years of arduous labor, and this capital was largely invested in his 
fruit farm in Solano county. Here he owned twenty-one acres, one-half in 
apricots and the rest in peaches, all bearing. % - 

The first wife of Mr. McNeal bore the maiden name of Mary Alexander 
and was a native of Ohio. At her death she left two daughters. Bernice is 
the wife of O. W. Bryant of Monrovia, and they have one son. The other 
daughter of that union, Blanche, is Mrs. Charles Cahill of Vallejo. Mrs. Mc- 
Neal was Miss Jessie Stacy, a native of Lowell, Ohio, and the mother of one 
daughter, June Louise McNeal, attending the Winters high school. In fra- 
ternal relations Mr. McNeal held membership with the blue lodge of Masonry, 
and his wife has been a leading worker in Yosolano Chapter 218 of the Eastern 
Star at Winters, of which she is past matron. The Republican party received 
the ballot of Mr. McNeal in all national elections. In common with other old 
soldiers, he found much to interest him in the activities of the Grand Army 
of the Republic and was a member of the post in the several places of his resi- 
dence, contributing with kindly generosity to the philanthropic work con- 
ducted by the organization. 



CHARLES HENRY RULE. 

Identified with the development of Solano county from the initial period 
of American supremacy, the Rule family has resided here for a period of 
sixty years, and meanwhile has contributed to the progress of the community 
with whose destiny their own has been cast. The first of the name to seek a 
home in the far west was Samuel T. Rule, a Pennsylvanian by birth and a 
representative of a prominent and old-established race. Born in Philadelphia 
in 1825, he passed the years of youth in the City of Brotherly Love. The 
environment that formulated his character and molded his aspirations was 
similar to that of city lads of the period. The educational advantages he re- 
ceived were of an excellent nature and gave him the requisite foundation for 
a comprehensive knowledge of commercial conditions. After he had learned 
the trade of carpenter and had followed the occupation as a journeyman in the 
east, in 1850 he joined the vast army of Argonauts bound for California and 
arrived in San Francisco during one of the most exciting periods in the turbu- 
lent history of that great mteropolis. 

After one year in San Francisco, removal was made to Vallejo, and in 
the adjacent country Mr. Rule secured a squatter's right to one hundred and 
sixty acres, but this tract he lost at a later date because it was claimed as a 
Spanish grant. The remainder of his life was passed in Vallejo, and here he 
died in 1883, surrounded at the last by the comforts of an advancing civiliza- 
tion and by the affectionate ministrations of other pioneers. During young 
manhood he married Isabelle Moffitt, who was born in Erie, Pa., in 1832, and 
died at Vallejo, Cal., in 1890. It is worthy of note that they have five sons 
who are prominent workers in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, all of 
them being past grands and leading members of Vallejo Lodge No. 216, 
I. O. O. F., and the encampment. The five brothers with the assistance of 
their brother-in-law initiated into the order a young man belonging to the 
family (their nephew) and conferred upon him the initiatory degree, this 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 195 

being probably the only instance of the kind in the history of the fraternity. 

Born in the city of Vallejo March 19, 1862, Charles Henry Rule attended 
the city schools between the years of six and sixteen, after which he worked 
for two years on his father's ranch. Finding agricultural affairs not wholly 
congenial, he turned to the machinists' trade, and in it he has been successful. 
After an apprenticeship of one year in Vallejo and two years in Crockett, he 
was qualified to work as a journeyman. During 1884 he began to work at 
Mare Island navy yard, and since then he has been employed steadily, having 
held his present position of quarterman machinist since 1899, discharging his 
duties with credit and ability. His marriage, solemnized in 1906, united him 
with Miss Carrie Apperson, who was born in Placer county, Cal., and was a 
school teacher of recognized ability and successful experience. For some 
years she taught in Solano and Yolo counties and was vice principal of the 
Dixon school. The family of which she is a member comprises five sisters and 
three brothers and of the former three have taught school successfully. The 
father, James E. Apperson, a native of Richmond Va., and a California pio- 
neer, crossed the plains with ox teams and settled in Shasta county as early 
as 1852. From that time he continued to reside in this state until his death 
in 1910, at the age of seventy-five years. During the same year there passed 
into eternity his beloved wife, Eliza (Cooper) Apperson, who was born in 
Arkansas seventy-two years before, and who had spent the greater part of 
her useftil existence in the west. As pioneers they evinced the sturdy qualities 
that marked the careers of the early settlers of the state and gave substantial 
and permanent basis for the subsequent upbuilding of agricultural and indus- 
trial enterprises. 



JOHN A. STANLY. 

One of the most eminent jurists of his time, Judge John A. Stanly came 
from a family long intimately connected with the history of our country and 
with her political life. Inherited as well as inherent qualities made his choice 
of a profession especially appropriate, as he was well fitted to be a successful 
attorney, and the prominence which he gained in the political life of California 
was due to his sterling worth and his earnest desire to do the right thing 
regardless of any personal loss. 

The history of the Stanly family is traced to John Wright Stanley, who 
changed the spelling of the name to Stanly. He was a grandson of a Mr. 
Stanley who came from England with Lord Baltimore, surveyor-general of 
the new colony of Maryland. Tradition says that he was a son of the Earl 
of Derby. John Wright Stanly was a merchant of large business interests. 
When the feeling between the colonies and the Mother Country was at its 
height he was in India with his merchant fleet and there met a young British 
officer, who said: "I see your name is Stanley; I presume we are related." 
"How do you spell your name?" The officer replied, "Stanley." Whereupon 
John Wright Stanly replied, "I spell mine Stanly, and we are no relation." 
John Wright Stanly had two sons, John and James, and the children of the 
first mentioned were Edward, Fabius, Alfred and Alexander. 

The only child of Alexander Stanly was John A. Stanly of this review. 
His parents dying when he was a small child, he was placed in the care of 
his uncle, Edward Stanly, who was a man worthy of the trust placed in him. 
Edward Stanly was a prominent Whig orator and a member of congress, and 
in his home in Washington he entertained many of the great statesmen of 
his day. In this hospitable home John A. Stanly received many advantages 
and the privilege of becoming acquainted with the foremost men of the coun- 
try, a privilege not to be lightly considered, and one which no doubt made a 



196 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



great impression on the young nephew, for to meet such brilliant men as 
Webster, Clay and Calhoun and form their acquaintance was a splendid educa- 
tion for the lad. His early training and natural inclination led him to take 
up the study of law, and so enthusiastically and attentively did he apply him- 
self to the work that he was admitted to the bar at an early age. The saying, 
"Nothing succeeds like success" proved true in Mr. Stanly's case, as he was 
successful from the start in his legal career. He at once took an active part 
in politics, and when the Union party of the south nominated Bell and Everett 
for president and vice-president of the United States, John A. Stanly stumped 
the state for the cause, one of the most enthusiastic and loyal supporters of 
the party. At the time of this election he was presidential elector, nominated 
on this ticket. His able uncle, Edward Stanly, upon whom John Stanly looked 
as a father, was appointed governor of North Carolina by President Lincoln. 

In 1866 John A. Stanly turned the course of his destiny westward and, 
taking up his residence in San Francisco, became a member of the law firm 
of Stanly, Hayes & Stanly, and ultimately became one of the leading attorneys 
of the state of California. He had established such a splendid reputation that, 
in 1872, Governor Haight appointed him to a vacancy in the superior court 
of San Francisco and his choice was ratified by the people in that they re- 
turned him to that office at the next election. He was chairman of the board 
of Freeholders that framed the charter of Oakland and in 1890 he received 
the nomination for chief justice of the supreme court of California, a position 
for which he was eminently fitted, but he suffered defeat at the polls. 

A large estate came as an inheritance to John A. Stanly upon the death 
of his uncle. Edward Stanly, when he received a splendid tract of sixteen 
hundred acres in Napa county, the ranch being under a high state of cultiva- 
tion and planted to grapes and other fruit. This property is now being farmed 
by his grandson, Edward Stanly Coghill. A splendid vineyard occupies two 
hundred and eighty acres, stock for which was imported from France, except 
the Val de Penas variety, which was imported from Spain. There is a modern 
wine-cellar on the place, where the grapes are crushed and ten varieties of 
wine, all French but one, are manufactured. Twenty-two acres are in pears, 
fifty-five acres are in prunes, and the remainder of the land is in grain, pota- 
toes, corn and pasture. A fine dairy is also a part of the ranch, stocked with 
thoroughbred and imported cattle. At the present writing there are over one 
hundred milch cows and more than one hundred head of young stock and 
steers in the herd. To successfully carry on the labor done on this ranch it 
is necessary to employ a large amount of help and at some seasons of the 
year as many as sixty men are employed. 

At the age of twenty years John A. Stanly married Miss Sara J. Cason, 
in North Carolina, and of the four children born to them two grew up, but 
only one is now living, Edward having accidentally shot himself while hunting 
in 1880. Catherine became the wife of Thomas B. Coghill, the family making 
their home in Oakland, at No. 1304 Jackson street. Two children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Coghill, a son and daughter. Edward, previously mentioned, 
as having charge of his grandfather's ranch, married Miss Bertha C. Blum, 
a native daughter of California, whose father came to the state in the early 
'50s and settled in Contra Costa county ; they have one child, Catherine Rose. 
Catherine Elizabeth Coghill became the wife of John G. Treanor and they 
have two children, Thomas S. and John S. 

Judge John A. Stanly passed away in 1899, in the faith of the Episcopal 
Church, in which he had been reared. His life had been filled with worthy 
activities, which the younger generation who are assuming the leadership in 
civic affairs might do well to emulate. His widow makes her home at No. 
1221 Jackson street, Oakland, where she is surrounded by relatives and many 
friends. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 197 

OTTO T. SCHULZE. 

Standing in the front ranks of the medical profession in Napa is Dr. Otto 
T. Schulze, who is a sterling representative of a fine old German family and is 
third in line of descent from the establisher of the name in California. A 
record of the accomplishments of his grandfather and father, given elsewhere 
in this volume, bear testimony to their worth as men and citizens in the com- 
munities where their lots were cast, and though the present representative of 
the family, Otto T. Schulze, is still a young man, he has added prestige to a 
name which was already held in high repute. 

The birth of Dr. Schulze occurred September 3, 1881, while his parents, 
Oscar C. and Caroline (Todt) Schulze, were living in Germantown, Glenn 
county, Cal. Up to the age of nine years he made his home in his birthplace, 
when the family removed to Dixon, Solano county, and in that city he attend- 
ed the public and high schools. While in the junior year of his high school 
course he passed an examination which permitted him to enter the University 
of California as a freshman in 1899, and in 1903 he graduated from that insti- 
tution with the degree of B. L. In the meantime he had decided to follow the 
medical profession, and thereafter his studies were conducted with this ulti- 
mate idea in view. Immdiately following his graduation from the university 
he entered the medical department of the same institution and graduated four 
years later, in 1907, with the degree of M. D. After one year's practical ex- 
perience as interne at the University of California Hospital, he came to Napa 
in 1908 and opened an office for the practice of his profession in the Miglia- 
vacca building, where he is still located. In addition to the large private 
practice which he has built up in the comparatively short time which has 
since elapsed, he is also surgeon for the San Francisco, Vallejo and Napa 
Valley Railroad. 

In San Francisco Dr. Schulze was united in marriage with Miss Edith 
Currey, a native of that city and the daughter of Hon. Robert J. Currey, ex- 
member of the legislature, and a granddaughter of Judge John Currey, who 
was an honored judge of the supreme court of California for twelve years 
during the early days and a practicing attorney in Benicia during the '50s. 
Judge Currey is still living, at the age of ninety-seven. One son, Oscar Carl, 
has been born to the doctor and his wife. Not unlike his father before him, 
Dr. Schulze is a believer in the principles of Masonry. He joined the order in 
Dixon and is now a member of Yount Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., at Napa; 
King Solomon's Chapter No. 95, R. A. M., at San Francisco, besides which 
he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the 
Native Sons of the Golden West. He is also a charter member of the Psi 
Upsilon Fraternity, University of California; a member of the Golden Bear 
Senior Society, and of the Nu Sigma Nu, a medical fraternity connected with 
the same institution, while in the line of his profession he is identified with the 
county, state and American medical associations and is secretary of the Napa 
County Medical Society. Dr. Schulze is a man of wide popularity as a suc- 
cessful physician and surgeon, and a record of still greater usefulness in his 
profession and in his community as man and citizen may be confidently pre- 
dicted. 



STANDARD PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY. 

Portland cement was first discovered in Portland, England, in 1811, and 
has been used extensively during the past century, especially during the last 
generation, for with the Bessemer discovery of the manufacture of steel by 
means of decarbonization, a product was placed upon the market that made the 
value of Portland cement enhance wonderfully, for the two, used together, are 



198 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



now considered as the mainstay of large building enterprises the world over. 
The Standard Portland Cement Company was established for the manufac- 
ture of this valuable commodity at Napa Junction, Napa county, in 1903. Its 
plant covers some six hundred acres and more than three hundred men are 
employed in the manufacture of the daily output of two thousand three hun- 
dred barrels. A large portion of the stock of this company is owned by Napa 
residents and most of the employes are residents of Napa and vicinity, and 
for these reasons the plant looms largely before the public as a local industry, 
serving local ends as well as national. It is ceaseless in its activity, for it is 
never closed down, working day and night with two crews of men. The stor- 
age capacity of the plant is one hundred and fifty thousand barrels. The man- 
agement claims that a finer grade of cement is manufactured here than in the 
east, owing to the fact that a rigid chemical test and standard is required for 
the product. To serve this end the plant is equipped with a chemical labora- 
tory, under the direction of an expert chemist, so that each barrel is tested 
before it leaves the plant to find out if the proportion of lime and other ingredi- 
ents is correct and up to standard. 

The manager of this extensive commercial plant that is looked upon as 
one of the principal industries of Napa county, is A. G. Lang, a native of New 
Britain, Conn., and a graduate of the Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass. 
For the last six years he has been connected with cement plants both in this 
country and Europe. 



RALPH M. BUTLER. 

Perhaps no industry is more inseparably associated with the horticultural 
development of Napa county than the Napa Fruit Company, of which Ralph 
M. Butler acts as manager, and also as a member of the board of directors. 
While during the packing season the plant affords employment to a large 
number of persons, its importance in that respect is secondary to its direct 
connection with the upbuilding of an enviable reputation for Napa products 
in eastern markets and with the promotion of the fruit industry throughout 
this county. A steady demand for the Napa pack exists throughout the east 
and a large percentage of the output is shipped annually to Europe. Dried 
prunes form the principal product of the plant. The care and cleanliness ex- 
ercised in their preparation for the markets prove the wise oversight of the 
manager, whose attention is closely given to a rigid supervision of every 
detail connected with the large business. 

In all else except birth Mr. Butler is a typical Californian, and he has 
lived in this state ever since his earliest recollections. Born at Monmouth, in 
Oregon, in 1871, he was brought to Napa by the family in 1872 and received 
his common school education in this city. Upon completing these studies he 
was sent to the Oregon State Normal School, and later took a course in 
Heald's Business College in San Francisco, where he qualified himself for the 
details of commercial affairs. On his return to Napa he became bookkeeper 
for the Napa Fruit Company and filled the position with such efficiency that 
soon he was promoted to be manager, in which capacity he has remained up 
to the present. The occurrence of his marriage in 1904 to Miss Elizabeth 
Packham proved the beginning of a happy union and the young couple, with 
thier daughter, Annie, have a pleasant home, furnished with a taste that indi- 
cates the highest refinement and culture. Of a genial nature, Mr. Butler finds 
recreation in his lodge work, and has been affiliated for some years with the 
Masons, Knights of Pythias and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, main- 
taining a warm interest in all their local activities. 

The concern with which Mr. Butler holds prominent connection was es- 




J»oos«,«»c»i<«» 





HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 201 

tablished in 1893, and has enjoyed a steady growth from the first, being now 
one of the largest plants of the kind in this part of the state. The present offi- 
cers are A. D. Butler, president, and F. W. Bush, vice president. Upon the 
board of directors are Charles E. Trower, Dr. M. B. Pond, A. D. Butler and 
R. M. Butler. The curing and drying of prunes is the firm's specialty. The 
fruit is bought from the horticulturists of the region and placed in the com- 
modious drying yards, after which it is prepared for the market. Every im- 
provement of modern device is to be found in the packing house. The equip- 
ment is thorough and the preparations for packing are unexcelled. An adja- 
cent railroad renders the task of loading on the cars an easy one. In fact, 
every facility has been secured that will promote the promptness and dispatch 
with which the business is prosecuted. 



HON. BENJAMIN SHURTLEFF. 

Benjamin Shurtleff was born on September 7, 1821, in Carver, a small 
town near Plymouth, Mass., named in honor of John Carver, the first governor 
of Plymouth colony. He was the son of Charles and Hannah (Shaw) Shurt- 
leff, the former one of the founders of the first agricultural society in Ply- 
mouth county. The ancestry is traced to one William Shurtleff, who was 
born in England and immigrated to America in boyhood and is found identi- 
fied with the Pilgrims at Plymouth about 1634. He engaged in military 
service in 1643, and married Elizabeth Lettice, whose father, Thomas, had 
settled in that historic town. Benjamin Shurtleff is a lineal descendant of 
Isaac Allerton, an enterprising merchant, who was one of the one hundred 
and one emigrants who came to America on the Mayflower and settled in 
Plymouth, Mass., in 1620. 

Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff was reared on a farm and the hard work incident 
thereto developed in him a robust constitution that has permitted him to lead 
a life of more than unusual activity, and yet retain, at the age of four score 
and ten years, the appearance of a man in his sixties. His education was 
secured in the common schools of his native place and in Pierce Academy at 
Middleboro, in the same county. In those days opportunities for securing 
an education were limited, but he eagerly availed himself of such as were 
possible. By teaching school he saved enough money to render possible the 
study of medicine, which he took up under the direction of an older brother, 
the late Dr. G. A. Shurtleff, a prominent physician of Stockton, Cal., in later 
years. He further pursued his studies with Dr. Elisha Huntington, of Lowell, 
Mass., and also attended Tremont Medical School at Boston. He matricu- 
lated in the medical department of Harvard University at Cambridge, from 
which he was graduated August 23, 1848. In the Tremont Medical School 
and at Harvard he was a pupil of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. While attend- 
ing Harvard he heard Rufus Choate's celebrated defense of Tirrill for the 
alleged murder of Mrs. Bickford. 

Just before he had completed his medical education and was looking 
about for a favorable location, news came of the discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia. He decided to come to this coast, this decision being later confirmed 
by President Polk's annual message of December 5th. He quickly made his 
arrangements and set sail January 27, 1849, on the schooner "Boston," from 
the port of the same name, proceeded via the Straits of Magellan to San 
Francisco, arriving July 6, of that year. Stopping but a few days in that city 
he went to Sacramento on the schooner "Olivia/' thence to Beal's Bar, on the 
American river, where he mined a short time. Reports came to this camp of 
the rich strike at Reading's Springs (now Shasta), and in the fall of '49 he 

12 



202 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

went to that locality. In October he was working a rich mine in the bed of 
Middle creek, but the floods of the rainy season, which began with great 
severity early in the morning of November 2nd, drove him from the claim and 
he thereupon abandoned mining and began the practice of medicine. 

Early in the spring of 1850 he formed a partnership with Dr. Jesse R. 
Robinson, the first clerk of Shasta county, under the name of Shurtleff and 
Robinson. Possessing great skill, supplemented by a thorough training in 
Harvard, it was not long before the people came to recognize his ability and 
appreciate the services rendered by Dr. Shurtleff as a physician, and he was 
in almost constant demand. There being no roads to any extent, he was 
forced to ride horseback all over that country. There were no bridges, and 
as boats were not to be had, he would swim the streams and climb the moun- 
tains with his faithful horse. He endured privations and hardships that to 
us today would seem impossible, yet his sturdy constitution enabled him to 
withstand every exposure without serious results. 

Soon after his arrival in Reading's Springs Dr. Shurtleff was elected 
alcalde of the district, and the duties of the position he discharged to the 
eminent satisfaction of all concerned. There was unlimited power vested in 
the alcalde, adequate to any emergency that might arise. He had supreme 
jurisdiction in all cases, from larceny of a pocket knife, to murder in the first 
degree, but almost all important cases were adjudicated by a jury of twelve 
men. It was "squatter sovereignty" complete and absolute, yet under his 
wise administration the mission was fulfilled and it was dissolved by universal 
consent when the state and federal governments came and assumed authority. 
It was during his occupancy of this important office that one act of his life 
stands out more strongly than any other. A man named Bowles was arrested 
• on suspicion of having murdered his partner during the night. Awakening 
in the morning he discovered him lifeless, with a mark of a bludgeon on the 
side of his head. He so reported the circumstances and at once was taken in 
charge by others in the camp and was about to be hanged without further 
delay. The matter was brought to the notice of the alcalde, who at once de- 
manded that the man have a fair jury trial and all the circumstances sur- 
rounding the affair investigated thoroughly. After considerable parley his 
demand was granted and his ideas carried out to the end that it was found 
the deed had been done by some murderous Indian for some fancied wrong 
that had been done him. He had sneaked up and struck the blow that killed 
the man, and so sudden and sure was his aim that there was no struggle, and 
the partner who was sleeping beside him under the same blankets was not 
awakened. Mr. Bowles was ably defended by the late Judge W. R. Harrison, 
who became the first county judge of Shasta county. The prosecution was 
carried on by the late Chief Justice Sprague, and though he ably conducted 
the case he was satisfied at the finding of the man "not guilty" and he was 
freed, much to the satisfaction of Alcalde Shurtleff. 

Dr. Shurtleff took an active part in the organization of Shasta county 
and was elected the first treasurer of the county. With the late Chief Justice 
Sprague and Isaac Roop as trustees, he established the first public school in 
the northern part of the state and has ever taken an active interest in educa- 
tional matters. One school district in Napa county was named in his honor. 
Soon after he had reached his majority the people of his native town elected 
him a member of the school committee and made him chairman of the board. 
In 1861 he was elected state senator for his district, that comprised Trinity 
and Shasta counties. He filled the office of county physician of the latter 
county for ten consecutive years, by appointment by the supervisors. In 
1857 he was tendered the appointment of county judge by Gov. J. Neely 
Johnson, but declined the honor. In 1872 he was chosen by the Republican 
state convention as alternate presidential elector-at-large. He was a member 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 203 

of the board of examining surgeons of the bureau of pensions at Napa during 
Harrison's and also during Roosevelt's administrations, and still is called upon 
to do duty along that line. 

When Dr. Shurtleff came to Napa in 1874 he found a hearty welcome and 
he soon established a large and lucrative practice, which continued until 1901, 
when he retired to private life. In Napa county he has been equally as active 
in promoting the welfare of the county as in his former home. June 19, 1879, 
he was elected delegate at large to the constitutional convention on the non- 
partisan ticket, from the third congressional district, and took an active part 
in the deliberations of that body. In 1876 he became a member of the board 
of trustees of Napa and was re-elected in 1878, officiating as president both 
terms. In March, 1880, he received the appointment from Governor Perkins, 
as a member of the board of trustees of the Napa State Hospital, and for the 
following sixteen years acted as president of the board, retiring in June, 1896. 
Since 1901 he has been a member of the commission of physicians appointed 
to examine persons charged with insanity ; he has sent in his resignation, but 
the superior judge refuses to accept it. He was president of the board of 
freeholders and assisted in framing the present charter of Napa, and became 
the first mayor by election in May, 1893. Dr. Shurtleff is a life member and 
was elected in 1911 a vice-president of the Society of California Pioneers; is 
a member of the California State Medical Society, of the Harvard Medical 
Alumni Association, and is an honorary member of the Harvard Club in San 
Francisco. The doctor is president of the Napa City Water Company and 
is a director in the Napa Savings Bank. He is the only survivor of the physi- 
cians and medical students present at the first public surgical operation in the 
world at which ether was administered as an anaesthetic, performed by Dr. 
John C. Warren at the Massachusetts State Hospital in Boston, October 16, 
1846. In August, 1911, the Benjamin Shurtleff Hospital Company of Napa was 
named in honor of Dr. Shurtleff. 

Returning to his old home in Massachusetts via Panama in the fall of 
1852, Dr. Shurtleff was married February 21 following to Ann M. Griffith, a 
native of Wareham, Plymouth county. She was a daughter of Ellis Griffith 
and a lineal descendant of Miles Standish. They returned to California via 
the Isthmus of Panama that year and ever since were residents of the Golden 
State. Mrs. Shurtleff died September 2, 1905, aged seventy-seven years, nine 
months and nine days. Their long married life was one of mutual helpfulness, 
each working for the welfare of the other and of their three children : George 
C. who is a successful rancher in Brown's valley, Napa county; Charles A., 
a prosperous attorney in San Francisco; and Benjamin E., who died while 
pursuing his studies in the medical department of the University of California. 
His death was the heaviest sorrow to enter the lives of the doctor and his wife. 

Napa county has but few men who are better known or more highly 
honored than Dr. Shurtleff, whose name stands for energy, capability, tact 
and public spirit. He is ever ready to aid any movement for the advancement 
of the general welfare of the people or county, or for the promotion of the 
moral or social conditions. Though ninety years of age his faculties are as 
keen as a man of fifty. He has always advocated development of the re- 
sources of the county and has tried to do his part as a citizen to bring about 
this end. His has been a long and useful life, and, blessed with plenty of this 
world's goods, he has contributed liberally to all charities, and all of his acts 
have been done in an unostentatious manner. He is a student, and has a large 
library of valuable books and finds much pleasure in their companionship. 
When his life comes to its close there will be no man who will be more greatly 
missed than Dr. Shurtleff, whose name is almost a household word. 



204 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

A. MONLIS. 

While it may be true that other men have larger vineyards and wine cel- 
lars with a capacity that is greater than his, it is also true that few men in 
the wine-making business have achieved more success than has A. Monlis, 
who is a prosperous rancher and grape grower in Napa county, near Calis- 
toga. He was born at Castres, department of Tarn, in the south of France, 
March 19, 1852, and in his native land he received a valuable experience in 
grape growing by working in a vineyard where wine was manufactured. He 
has been able to apply much of the knowledge thus gained to practical pur- 
poses in this land of sunshine that so fitly reminds him of the green fields and 
purple vineyards of his own land. Mr. Monlis came to America in 1886 and 
for two years remained in San Antonio, Tex. Coming to California in 1888, 
he was first employed in the vineyards in Napa valley, and later on he rented 
a ranch for himself near St. Helena. He bought his present place in 1902. It 
consists of one hundred acres of good land, fifteen acres being planted in vine- 
yard and some prune trees, and the balance is used for pasture and for general 
ranching purposes. Each year the owner receives a good income from his 
property, the land being very productive. 

In 1889 Mr. Monlis married Miss Julia Vanherscke, a native of Esquel- 
becq, Nord, France, and the following children were born to the union : Emile, 
Augustine, the wife of E. Dore of Oakland and the mother of two children, 
Emile and Rosa; Emily, and Carmilla. Mr. Monlis is a member of the San 
Francisco Ancient Order of Foresters. His sons, Emile and Carmilla, are 
members of the Foresters and Native Sons. Although born in a foreign land, 
Mr. Monlis is loyal to the institutions of his adopted country and is a sup- 
porter of equity and civic righteousness. He and his family are well known 
residents of the Napa valley. 



ALEXANDER STEIGER. 

Few men have more intimate knowledge of the wonderful advances made 
in machinery and the science pertaining thereto than Alexander Steiger. His 
knowldge is not merely theoretical, for he has been associated with the trade 
in this state since 1859, although it is true that for the latter portion of this 
period he has been living on his orchard near Vacaville, Solano county. He 
was born in Boston, Mass., September 22, 1833, the son of Conrad and Mary 
(Alexander) Steiger, both natives of London, England, and both passed away 
in New England. Alexander Steiger was educated in the public schools of 
Boston, and after his graduation he followed the bent of his mind by studying 
engineering in a practical manner and learning the same as a trade. At the 
age of twenty-six years he left Boston for California, via Panama, and landed 
in San Francisco from the steamer Golden Age in March, 1859, and at once 
had an opportunity to engage in his trade. Among other positions he held 
was that of foreman for von Smith, who received the contract for the con- 
struction of the first dry dock at Hunters Point, Cal. In 1868 Mr. Steiger 
worked on this important undertaking in the capacity of foreman. San Fran- 
cisco was made his headquarters for about thirty years, during which time 
he traveled all over the state and Nevada as expert machinist for the Vulcan 
Iron Works, putting in mining and water works machinery. He installed 
the first water system in Hamilton and Treasure City, Nevada. 

In 1856 Mr. Steiger was married in Boston, Mass., to Miss Mary Abbie 
Jones, a native of Maine and a daughter of Moses and Abbie Jones, both also 
natives of that state. Mrs. Steiger came to California in 1862. The eldest of 
the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Steiger was Melville Randolph, born 
in 1857, who is married and living in Red Bluff, where he is a farmer and 
stockraiser. Frank Alexander, born in 1863, is a civil engineer; he married 





.*yK^V)sUyn<2^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 207 

Miss Kate Saxton of Vacaville. Ida Isabel, the widow of William W. Davis, 
also lives in Vacaville. Harry Lincoln resides in Berkeley. 

Mr. Steiger has been a life-long Republican, and for many years he has 
been a member of the board of school trustees of Pena district. He purchased 
land near Vacaville in 1873, since which time he has improved it with an 
orchard, the entire place, including one hundred and twelve acres, being in 
fruits and vegetables of all kinds. He has arranged hot beds for the early 
starting of vegetables. The ranch is located two and a half miles north of 
Vacaville. Although over seventy years of age, Mr. Steiger is enjoying the 
twilight of life in his own home and is content to lend his influence for every 
worthy project in a quiet unassuming way. 



HON. HENRY EWALT McCUNE. 

Foremost among the citizens of Solano county is Senator McCune, who 
is a splendid example of one who has risen to the heights of achievement 
because of sterling qualities of character. His well-earned success has been 
attained through industry and perseverance. He came to California fifty- 
eight years ago and encountered all the obstacles of early pioneer life. The 
vast number of acres owned by him, the high regard in which he is held, the 
large influence he has been able to wield in the community, show in what way 
these obstacles were overcome. His early life was spent in Pike county, Mo., 
where he was born June 10, 1825, his parents being John and Rebecca (Ewalt) 
McCune, of Scotch and German ancestry. The father was a native of Penn- 
sylvania and the mother of Virginia ; they were married in Kentucky, but 
soon moved farther west and settled in Pike county, Mo., where the father 
died in 1853. He served in the War of 1812, under Col. Dick Johnson, and 
the grandfather, William McCune, was in the Revolutionary war, and, being 
taken a prisoner by the Indians, was kept in captivity for three years. 

In Pike county, Mo., Henry Ewalt McCune received his education. At 
the outbreak of the Mexican war he enlisted in Company E, Third Missouri 
Mounted Volunteers (Colonel Ralls' regiment), and served gallantly. He 
was wounded in the battle of Vera Cruz and, after eighteen months of service, 
was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Resuming private life once 
more Mr. McCune engaged in stock-raising, and in 1854, in partnership with 
M. R. K. Biggs, he undertook the tedious journey across the plains to Cali- 
fornia with three hundred head of cattle. They settled in the northern part 
of Solano county, and Mr. McCune still owns the quarter-section of govern- 
ment land which he pre-empted at that time. In marked contrast to his pres- 
ent beautiful dwelling is the house in which he began life in California. His 
neighbors envied his little hut, 16x16 feet in size, with the boards running up 
and down, and a lean-to shed twelve feet square. The portion of the county 
where they located was termed the "desert" at that time, showing how little 
the people in general knew about the fertility of the soil and the productive- 
ness of that particular section. The land was quite barren of trees and among 
the most notable improvements put in by Mr. McCune are the trees which 
he planted on his property. Some of these trees have attained large propor- 
tions and beauty, one in particular, which is probably the largest gum tree in 
California. In 1868 he planted a grove of gum, walnut and elm trees which 
today proves the term "desert" to be a misnomer when applied to Solano 
county. The nearest postoffice was Vacaville. Mr. McCune fenced in his 
land and began to raise grain. Later he built a residence, but this was de- 
stroyed by fire in 1880. As he was prosperous in all his business ventures 
he invested his money in real estate and began to purchase land in other 
counties, thus acquiring a number of large ranches. He is today one of the 
largest land owners of the county, owning twelve hundred acres in one body, 



208 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

devoted to grain raising; twenty-five hundred acres, part of which is in the 
foothills and utilized both as a grain and a stock farm ; seventeen hundred 
acres, known as the Big ranch, devoted to grain; four hundred and seventy- 
five acres, known as the Bank ranch, also devoted to grain ; the McMillan 
ranch, of three hundred and twenty acres, also a grain farm ; and in addition, 
he is associated with other capitalists in the ownership of large tracts of land 
throughout the state. Not only has he conducted an extensive grain-raising 
business with great profit, but he has also maintained an excellent record as 
a stockman and cattle raiser, breeding both thoroughbred Hereford and Dur- 
ham cattle on his ranches. His cattle were numbered by the thousand at one 
time ; together with J. S. Garnett, he brought fifteen hundred head of cattle 
to Solano county. He generally kept several thousand head of sheep and also 
raised hogs extensively. With these different pursuits to take up most of his 
time and attention, Mr. McCune still finds it possible to engage in the raising 
of fine fruits with considerable profit. 

Mr. McCune was married in Ralls county, Mo., February 1, 1849, to Miss 
Barbara S. Rice, a native of Garrard county, Ky., and was well fitted to share 
with him all the hardships of the pioneer's life. She lived to enjoy his suc- 
cesses as well as his trials and fulfilled most loyally and faithfully the duties 
of wife and mother, rearing a large family of children. The following are the 
children and grandchildren : Mary M., now deceased, was the wife of J. A. 
Hill and the mother of three children, Irene, Edna and J. Silver; Ruth A., the 
wife of P. R. Garnett, has three children, Inez, Reba and Hugh ; Rebecca E. 
is the wife of H. C. Silver and the mother of two children, Ruth and Rose ; 
Jessie S., the wife of C. A. Rice, has one child, Sadie; Sarah E., deceased, was 
the wife of Dr. M. Gardner, who later married A. Lindley; Joseph H., de- 
ceased, first married Elizabeth Baker, by whom he had two children, Barbara 
and Willie, and by his second wife, Sallie Baker, he also had two children, 
Josie and Ermyl ; Elizabeth R. and Rose B. McCune are deceased. The 
mother of these children died at Dixon February 2, 1907. Senator McCune 
has five great-grandchildren. His home in Dixon is a beautiful place, well 
kept and highly improved. He was one of the organizers and is now a director 
of the Bank of Dixon. 

Politically Senator McCune is a Democrat, but was elected joint senator 
of Solano and Yolo counties in 1873 on the People's ticket, serving four years, 
and was chairman of the committee on agriculture. He has been of great 
service to the public in furthering the cause of education, having expended a 
great deal of time as well as money in perfecting plans for the educational 
advancement of the community. For thirty years, or from its organization, 
he was a trustee of California College at Vacaville, later at Oakland, for more 
than twenty years of that time being president of the board. He was one of 
the organizers and president of the board of trustees of Dixon Academy, until 
it was turned over to the high school district. 

Senator McCune has been active not only in secular, but in religious af- 
fairs as well. He has served as a deacon of the Baptist Church for over fifty 
years and has also taken active part in Sunday school work. His financial 
support to the church is generous. He was largely instrumental in building 
the Baptist Church at Silveyville in the early '60s, there having been no church 
building prior to that time, services having been held in the schoolhouse at 
Vacaville in 1856 and later in the Vacaville high school building. Subse- 
quently the present fine edifice was built in Dixon. Senator McCune was 
made a Mason in Suisun Lodge, F. & A. M., afterward was a charter member 
of Vacaville Lodge and still later a charter member of Silveyville Lodge No. 
201, F. & A. M., a member of Dixon Chapter No. 42, R. A. M., Sacramento 
Commandery No. 2, K. T., and is also identified with the Eastern Star at 
Dixon, to which his wife also belonged. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 209 

JOSEPH H. HOYT. 

An important responsibility was assumed by Mr. Hoyt with his accept- 
ance of the position of superintendent of the Solano county hospital, to which 
post he was appointed by the board of county supervisors. Born at Benicia, 
Solano county, in March of 1863, Joseph H. Hoyt is a son of Joseph Hoyt, Sr., 
who for years past has been a leading citizen of Benicia. The financial cir- 
cumstances of the family were such that the son was enabled to gain an 
excellent education, having supplemented the studies of the local schools 
with attendance at the St. Augustine College. Upon leaving college he began 
to work at the stock business under his father's supervision and soon acquired 
the knowledge of the work necessary for its prosecution alone. When finally 
he sold off his stock and quit the business he became interested in machinery 
for the crushing of rock and for nine years he operated extensively along that 
line, doing considerable road work in the county. For eighteen months he 
was engaged in the navy yard at Mare Island. During 1900 he was honored 
with an appointment as sheep inspector and for a long period he filled the 
position with characteristic ability, finally resigning in order to accept the 
position as hospital superintendent, which he has filled since December 1, 
1908. meanwhile improving conditions at the hospital and directing affairs 
with skill and economy. 

The marriage of Joseph H. Hoyt was solemnized in 1896 and united 
him with Miss Adeline Lermen, who was born in San Francisco and received 
excellent educational advantages in that city. Her father is deceased, but 
her mother is still living and makes her home in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt 
have one child, Olivia, who is a pupil in the Suisun schools. Politically Mr. 
Hoyt is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to Vallejo Lodge No. 559, 
B. P. O. E., and the Woodmen of the World. 



RUSH McCLEARY. 

The experiences of Rush McCleary culminated in his arrival in fertile 
Solano county in 1891, at which time it is recorded that he leased land for a 
number of years. He was born in Montgomery, Mo., May 23, 1865, and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools, showing much interest in his work 
and doing his utmost to make the most of the educational opportunities 
afforded him. His boyhood days were thus spent profitably, and after com- 
pleting his studies his time was variously employed, chiefly in following agri- 
cultural pursuits, until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he left 
his native state and came west. In 1888 he settled in the state of Washington, 
and there for a few years he lived and followed farming with fair success for 
a livelihood. In 1891 he came to Solano county and after leasing land for a 
few years, in 1897 he purchased one hundred acres under cultivation. He now 
has twenty acres in vineyard, ten acres of apricots and five hundred almond 
trees. During the season of 1910 the yield from the vineyard was seventeen 
hundred crates of Tokay grapes and four tons of dried apricots, in addition to 
a fair average yield of other varieties. On one section of the land Mr. Mc- 
Cleary cultivates vegetables, for which he finds a ready market at good prices. 
He has ten acres of beans and ten acres of corn, and grazes enough stock for 
the efficient working of the place. 

Mr. McCleary was married in July, 1893, to Kate Hallam, born in Bir- 
mingham, England, and coming to California in 1892. They have two children, 
Walter N. and Violet W. Politically Mr. McCleary is a Democrat, and fra- 
ternally he is a member of Winters Lodge, Woodmen of the World, and the 
Independent Order of Red Men. Mr. and Mrs. McCleary enjoy the acquain- 
tance of a large number of the residents of Solano county and hold the esteem 
of many friends. 



210 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

E. B. RHODES. 

A resident of Solano county since 1894, E. B. Rhodes has been a factor in 
the development of the community in which he lives and has also achieved a 
measure of success in his own private enterprises. Born in Lowville, Lewis 
county, N. Y., in 1846, he came to California in 1894, immediately taking up his 
residence in Solano county, and has resided here ever since, following the time- 
honored vocation of farming, into which he had been initiated in boyhood 
years in New York state. He leased property belonging to his brother, Wes- 
ley D. Rhodes, of Pleasants valley, who recently died in Santa Rosa, Cal. At 
the present time he owns thirty acres of fruit land, having purchased the same 
from Ned Wolfskill. The orchard on this land is about nine years old, and 
consists of eight hundred peach, one hundred apricot and four hundred almond 
trees. In the season 1910 nine tons of peaches represented the yield of this 
marketable commodity and apricots and almonds returned $1150. The ranch 
is thrifty in appearance and shows every evidence of care and attention. 

Mr. Rhodes was married to Miss Sarah Ann Philbrick, a native of New 
York state, the ceremony taking place in the same state. From that union 
there were two children born, Rolla and Minard, and they have an adopted 
daughter, Winnie. Rolla married Eva Spence, and they reside in Hoquiam, 
Wash., where the husband is engaged in the milling business; Minard married 
Ina Earle and resides with his wife and son, Earle, in Pleasants valley. Po- 
litically Mr. Rhodes is a stanch supporter of the Prohibition platform, and 
religiously he is a member of the Christian church. 



JAMES W. REAMS. 

A native of Ohio, born December 27, 1837, James W. Reams lived in 
that state until attaining young manhood, when he took up his residence in 
Fayette county, 111., residing there until 1875. He then came to Napa county, 
Cal., and engaged in farming in Gordon valley. It was there that his mar- 
riage with Miss Martha Ralston took place. Nine children were born to 
them, as follows: George William, of Solano county; Theodore O. ; Monte- 
zuma B., deceased; Calvin U., of Gordon valley; James L., of Suisun ; Stone- 
man, of Gordon valley; Anna M. ; Daisy D.; and Grace. Daisy D. married 
William Alexander of Vallejo; Grace became the wife of Alfred Smith of 
Vallejo, and mother of two children, Ralstin and Verna ; James L. married 
Mazie Swift, and has one daughter, Shirley; Stoneman married Nellie San- 
born, and they have two children, Donald and Robert; Anna M. became Mrs. 
J. R. Chadbourne of Suisun. Mr. Reams was actively connected with the 
public affairs of his county. Politically he was affiliated with the Democratic 
party, and not only voted that ticket, but allied himself with the party in an 
official way. He was a candidate for county treasurer and afterwards, in 1904, 
was a candidate for state senator on the Democratic ticket. For some twenty 
years he was a clerk of the board of school trustees in his district. His de- 
mise occurred October 4, 1908, and he is survived by his widow and five sons. 

Theodore O. Reams was born in St. Elmo, Fayette county, 111., February 
20, 1868, and lived at that place with his parents until 1875, when the family 
came to California and lived for two years in Napa and Solano counties, and 
then settled in Gordon valley, where the son, Theodore O., remained until he 
was twenty-one years of age. Having attained his majority, he decided to 
strike out for himself and earn his livelihood by mining. Accordingly he went 
to Siskiyou county and engaged in hydraulic mining, meeting with consider- 
able success while in the business for himself. Subsequently he leased other 
mines, and it was then that he suffered financial losses. He owned a complete 
hydraulic outfit and had four claims, all of which he sold to return to farming. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 213 

He acquired fifty acres in Gordon valley at his father's death, twenty-five acres 
of which are planted in almond and Bartlett pear trees. In 1910 he realized 
six and one-half tons of almonds and one hundred and seventy boxes of pears. 
The other twenty-five acres of the property are pasture land, Mr. Reams 
keeping four head of horses and seventeen hogs. With his brother, George 
W., Mr. Reams is engaged in well drilling, having a modern steam outfit. 

While residing in Siskiyou county Mr. Reams was married to Miss Meda 
Sanborn, a native of Oregon, and they are the parents of four children : Neal 
C. lone M., Theodora and Ordray. Besides being capable in his occupation 
of farming, Mr. Reams is a practical engineer. Fraternally he is connected 
with the Knights of Pythias Lodge. 



JOHN LAUGHLIN SHEARER. 

The supervising principal of the public schools of Napa is a member of 
a family identified through several successive generations with the industrial 
development of the east, notably Pennsylvania, where his parents spent their 
entire lives. Himself a native of that commonwealth, born at Peru Mills, 
Juniata county, February 4, 1850, he is a son of the late Samuel and Nancy 
(Taylor) Shearer, natives respectively of Upper Strasburg and Ambersons 
Valley, Franklin county, Pa. For many years the father engaged in the tan- 
ning business at Peru Mills and later carried on a similar enterprise at Black- 
log, Juniata county, but his last days were spent in retirement from business 
cares at Lewistown, MifHin county, that state, while his wife passed away at 
Academia, Juniata county. All but one of their eleven children grew to mature 
years and seven are yet living. 

Of the large family the only one to settle in California and the seventh 
in order of birth, John Laughlin, received his education in the common 
branches in the grammar and high schools of Juniata and Mifflin counties, 
Pa., and at the age of eighteen taught school in the former county. Going 
as far west as Illinois in 1870, he taught school in McLean county near Bloom- 
ington, and with the savings of his first experiences in pedagogy he entered 
the State Normal University at Normal, 111., from which in 1875 he was gradu- 
ated with a high standing. All of his expenses in the university were paid by 
his own labors. During 1878-79 he acted as principal of the White Hall (111.) 
public schools. July of 1879 found him in San Francisco and during August 
he came to Napa, which since has continued to be his home. 

For thirty-two years Professor Shearer has filled faithfully and well the 
office of principal of the Napa grammar schools. From 1883 until 1887 he 
also officiated as county superintendent of schools, to which position he was 
elected on a Democratic ticket in a strong Republican county. Since 1883 
he also has acted as a member of the county board of education and for the 
past twenty years he has been honored with the presidency of the board. 
During 1906 the title of supervising principal was adopted by the board and 
since has been used in connection with the position he fills with such re- 
markable tact and intelligence. 

At the time of the arrival of Professor Shearer in Napa there were three 
small grammar schools with about five hundred pupils under the care of 
eleven teachers. Now there are twenty-five teachers superintending the in- 
struction of more than one thousand students. The buildings were small and 
illy equipped for successful pedagogical efforts. The Polk street school at 
that time contained two rooms for the primary department. These have 
been relinquished and a new structure, the Washington primary school of 
four rooms, has been erected. Franklin street school, then containing two 
primary rooms, has been rebuilt with three rooms for that purpose. The 



214 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Lincoln school, erected during the '80s, is now a building of eight rooms. 
For ten years the Central building was utilized for high school purposes under 
the Caminetti law, but when the new high school law was adopted the neces- 
sity for a high school building arose and finally by repeated efforts a suitable 
structure was secured. 

During the first year of the identification of Professor Shearer with the 
Napa schools he introduced grammar school graduation, an innovation never 
before attempted. The diplomas were printed at the old Reporter office. The 
next year the state passed a law for graduation from all grammar schools and 
diplomas were thereupon prepared and printed under the charge of the state 
board of education. Later the Caminetti graduation diplomas were adopted 
for use. At this writing it is the custom for the Napa grammar schools to 
promote and graduate pupils in December and May of each year, which plan, 
followed for the past ten years, has been deemed preferable to the old system 
of one promotion and graduation each year. About the year 1905 a fire drill 
was instituted in all the rooms and this has been carried forward to such per- 
fection that now the building is emptied of every pupil in just forty seconds. 

In the midst of the manifold duties of a position so important as that 
which Professor Shearer long has filled, he has found leisure for active par- 
ticipation in the work of the National Educational Association and for helpful 
service in the Napa County and California State Teachers' Associations, be- 
sides serving as a member of the library board of Napa. Too much credit 
cannot be given to Mr. Shearer for his work in connection with the Napa 
schools. In the capacity of supervising principal he has raised them to their 
present high standard and has accomplished for them results that would have 
surpassed the predictions of the most optimistic resident of the city twenty- 
five years ago. Not only as an educator has he won a high place in the com- 
munity, but he is honored as a courteous gentleman, esteemed as a tactful 
friend, respected as a public-spirited citizen and appreciated as an upbuilder 
of the morals of the city to a high standard. The value of such men to their 
community cannot be overestimated. Without their patient, intelligent and 
scholarly labors not only the present generation, but also generations yet to 
come, would be the losers of much that adds to the happiness, the dignity and 
the usefulness of life. 

Professor Shearer was married in Napa July 16, 1884, to Miss Louise P. 
Wilson, who was born in Benicia, Cal., the daughter of James St. Clair Wil- 
son, who, though born in New Hampshire, was reared in Boston, Mass. Mr. 
Wilson came to California as an argonaut in 1849, crossing the plains with 
ox-teams. After following mining for a few years he became agent for the 
Wells Fargo Express Company at St. Louis, continuing there until elected 
treasurer of Sierra county, the county seat being at Downieville. He con- 
tinued in this position until his death in November, 1863. The wife of Mr. 
Wilson bore the maiden name of Maria Louise Everts, and was born in La- 
porte, Ind. She traced her ancestry back to Ambrose Everts, of Salisbury, 
Conn., who served in the Revolutionary war and was sergeant in the Connecti- 
cut line at the Lexington alarm. Ambrose Everts was a direct descendant 
of Miles Standish, captain of the Plymouth colony. Another direct descendant 
was Rev. Eleazer Wheelock, founder and first president of Dartmouth Col- 
lege. Mrs. Wilson came by the Nicaragua route to California with her brother, 
Frank Everts, who was also a '49er, the trip being made on the Brother Jona- 
than. The boat proved unseaworthy, and also caught fire during the voyage, 
and the passengers suffered many hardships and privations, until landing at 
San Francisco in February, 1854. Mrs. Wilson was married in Marysville 
in 1855. She survives her husband, and at the age of eighty-one makes her 
home with her daughter, Mrs. Shearer. Mrs. Wilson's son, Ralph E. Wilson, 
is a merchant in Napa. Mrs. Shearer completed her education in the Indian- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 215 

apolis high school and followed teaching in Napa until her marriage. The 
only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Shearer, Louise Wilson, died in the year of 
her graduation from the Napa high school, April 6, 1904. 



ANDREW H. FOSTER. 

High up in the roster of the braves who gave their lives as a willing 
service to their country in the time of need during the Civil war stands the 
name of Andrew H. Foster, who is now a resident of Vallejo, Cal. Although 
his life was not sacrificed upon the altar of service, he nevertheless gave it 
readily and fought a brave battle for the cause that was near his own heart. 
He now lives in retirement from the activities of a busy life, enjoying that 
rest and repose that can come only to those who have faithfully discharged 
their duties. 

Mr. Foster was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., August 10, 1843. Twenty 
years later he went to Michigan and enlisted in the army, being associated 
with his fellow soldiers in the First Michigan Artillery, Battery F, first under 
the command of Byron D. Paddock and later under Capt. B. Hawley. From 
Grand Rapids the battery went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then to Lexington, 
Ky., and from the latter place marched two hundred and twelve miles to 
Cumberland and on to Knoxville, Tenn. There they were reorganized and 
drew a fresh set of horses. As the Michigan Light Artillery in the spring of 
1864 they started on the Atlanta campaign of four months, with six horses to 
each gun. They were then detailed for service in Alabama, and in that and 
adjacent states saw much active service. Finally Mr. Foster was discharged 
on July 3, 1865. On their way home the company received a splendid recep- 
tion in all of the cities through which they passed. 

Mr. Foster then went to visit his mother in Saratoga county, N. Y., and 
was engaged in farming there until he came to California in 1872. Before 
coming to Vallejo he was employed in the street railway service in San Fran- 
cisco. About eleven years ago he purchased two lots in Vallejo, upon which 
he built a house and barn. He has improved his land and now he has four 
hundred and fifty mammoth blackberry bushes in full bearing and yielding a 
good annual crop. He also has forty fine fruit trees. He also keeps chickens, 
having only pure bred stock of the White and Buff Orpingtons and Rhode 
Island Reds. 

In Stockton, Cal., Mr. Foster was married to Miss Olive Littlejohn, a 
native of Calaveras county, and she passed away on February 9, 1879. The 
only child of this marriage, Gilbert, married Hazel Fawcett, and they reside 
in Sacramento. Andrew H. Foster is an active member of Farragut Post No. 
4, G. A. R., of Vallejo. 



WILLIAM S. BAKER. 

A well known and respected citizen of Winters, Cal., is William S. Baker, 
who was born November 13, 1869, second son of William and Margaret J. 
(Hanna) Baker, both natives of Missouri. He received a good primary edu- 
cation and early in life fitted himself to accept responsibility by assimilating 
the lessons inculcated within the sacred precincts of his home. After public 
school requirements had been met the young man went to California College, 
East Oakland, Cal., and graduated from the academic course in 1889, complet- 
ing his education with one year in Leland Stanford University. He then 
returned to Winters and commenced his business and professional career by 
acting in the capacity of bookkeeper for the firm of grocers, Fenley & Baker. 
This position was retained for four years, and then for a similar term he served 



216 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

in a like capacity for T. S. Spaulding, a grocer of Woodland, Cal. Returning 
to Winters, he accepted the position of assistant cashier of the Bank of Win- 
ters, and after three years of faithful service he was elected cashier of the 
same institution, which position he filled efficiently for four years. On the 
organization of the Citizens Bank of Winters, June 13, 1907, he was tendered 
the position of cashier, which position he accepted, and the rapid growth and 
success of the institution show how well he has fulfilled his trust. The bank 
was organized with a capital of $50,000, and on account of its growth, in 1910 
it was increased to $100,000. It has paid six semi-annual dividends at the rate 
of eight per cent per annum and has a surplus of $1825, and in undivided 
profits $4665. The bank has just moved into its new building, erected at a 
cost of $40,000, and it is the concensus of opinion that it is the most artistic 
and substantial individual bank building in the Sacramento valley. The ex- 
terior is of white granite base and the balance of white terra cotta blocks ; 
the inside finish is mahogany woodwork, with sides of massive pilasters and 
heavy panel ceiling, marble floor and marble counter. 

Mr. Baker has held a number of responsible positions in fraternal organi- 
zations. He was made a Mason in Buckey Lodge No. 195, F. & A. M., of 
which he was secretary for many years. He is also a member of Silveyville 
Chapter, R. A. M., of Dixon, and Yosolano Lodge, O. E. S., of Winters. In 
addition to his banking interests he is also interested in the Anderson-Baker 
Company, a large general merchandise establishment in Winters. Mr. Baker 
is also interested in horticulture. In 1909 he bought sixty acres of fertile 
land one and a half miles south of Winters, in Solano county, suitable for an 
orchard. Thirty acres are in royal apricots and black figs, ten acres in 
almonds and twenty acres in peaches. Under his wise direction his orchard is 
doing well and promises large returns. 

November 9, 1905, Mr. Baker married Miss Florence M. Preble, a native 
of San Francisco. She is a graduate of the University of California, and 
taught in the Winters Union high school for three years. To this union there 
were born two children, Jane, who died in infancy, and Martha Mae, born 
October 17, 1910. Kindly and loving in disposition, progressive and energetic, 
able and sagacious, Mr. Baker has many friends, who admire him for his fine 
personal traits. In him the weak have a champion and the strong a friend, 
and he can be found on the side of any movement that will mean the advance- 
ment of the interests of the people of the community in which he lives. 



GUY K. BUTLER. 

A native of Vermont, Mr. Butler was born in Grand Isle county, a son of 
another Guy K. Butler, whose history goes back into the history of the New 
England states. His father was a carpenter by trade and also a shoemaker 
by occupation. His grandfather had six hundred and forty acres of land on 
what is now called Butler's Island. This land he put under cultivation by 
hand and all the details connected with the planting and reaping of grain were 
so conducted, as that was long before the time of the modern farm implements. 
The father and mother of our subject were natives of Vermont, and the family 
moved from that state to St. Lawrence county, N. Y. After a stay of three 
years in that state they moved to Illinois, when the son was eleven years of 
age. Here he received his education in the public school and generally fitted 
himself to take his place in the ranks of men and women who are forced by 
circumstances to earn their own livelihood. After a stay of thirteen years in 
Illinois, in 1858 Mr. Butler removed to Kansas, in time to participate in the 
campaign that was being waged at that time to make it a free state. He lo- 
cated in Johnson county. He enlisted in the army of the Union in the Tenth 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 219 

Kansas Infantry, Company A, in 1861. He saw active service during the war 
and participated in many important engagements. One of these was at Prairie 
Grove, Ark., when their side was outnumbered two to one. After engaging 
in many adventures with the Confederates and distinguishing himself by his 
bravery, he was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, the same place at which 
he enlisted. The discharge came on August 18, 1864, after which he went to 
Olathe, Kan. Later he went to Lawrence, Kan., making his home there for 
more than thirty years. There he followed farming for a time and was also a 
member of the police force of that city for seven years, and also jailer in 
Johnson county for four years. He is proud of the fact that he helped to make 
Kansas a Prohibition state. 

Mr. Butler came to California in 1895. He had previously come west to 
Colorado in 1860, driving five yoke of oxen to Pike's Peak, and in all was 
three months on the way, going via Fort Laramie to Denver. After arriving 
in California in 1895 he remained inactive for three years, or until 1898, when 
he secured work in the Mare Island navy yard. For six months he worked 
as blacksmith's helper and then secured a position as ship keeper for four 
years, and, being injured in a street car wreck, was forced to retire. Subse- 
quently he built a store on the corner of Marine and Illinois streets, which he 
now rents. This, together with the pension he receives from the government 
for his services during the Civil war, is sufficient for himself and wife to live 
on comfortably. 

Mr. Butler was married in Olathe, Kan., at the close of the war to Mary 
T. Davis, and the following children were born to them : Woodman L., Paul 
J., Eli O., Walter (deceased), Elizabeth L. and Jennie (deceased). Woodman 
married Emma Gibson of Kansas and they have five children. Paul married 
Isabell Burwin, since deceased; he is interested in aviation and is at present 
engaged in the building of an airship ; he also has two launches on San Fran- 
cisco bay, the Marathon and the Aquatic. Eli O. married Hattie Clark, and 
they reside at Willows with their two children. Mr. and Mrs. Butler recently 
celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary. They are well respected in 
Vallejo and have done much to alleviate the sufferings of others by their cheery 
dispositions and their philanthropy. 



EDGAR ERNEST LONG. 

An illustration of the opportunities afforded by California is exhibited in 
the modest but substantial success that has been the justified result of the 
efforts put forth by Mr. Long, a native-born son of the state and a leading 
citizen of Suisun, now and for a long period in the past the incumbent of the 
office of assessor of Solano county. Born at Vacaville, December 19, 1860, 
he is a son of the late Alexander R. Long, a native of Missouri, and a pioneer 
of Vacaville, Cal., where he died about 1899. The mother, who bore the 
maiden name of Mary A. Hostetter, was born in Ohio and came at an early 
age to the west, where she continued to make her home until her death, in 1886. 

It was the privilege of Edgar E. Long to receive not only common-school 
advantages, but also a collegiate education, and by diligent application to his 
studies he laid the foundation for the broad knowledge he now possesses. At 
the age of sixteen years, in 1876, he entered upon his business career by 
securing employment with J. M. Miller, whose store he later acquired by 
purchase. From 1883, the date of his removal to Suisun, he owned his own 
business until 1909, when he disposed of the same, retiring from the activities 
that had engrossed a large share of his time and attention during the inter- 
vening years. The establishment of domestic ties, dating from February 23, 
1886, united him with Miss Clara Gillespie, who like himself was born and 
reared in Vacaville, the child of California pioneers, now deceased. 



220 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Long comprises three children. The eldest, 
Isabel G., born in 1891, is a graduate of the grammar and high schools of 
Suisun and now attends the California State University at Berkeley. The 
older son, Milo G., born in April, 1893, is now a student in the Santa Clara 
(Cal.) College. The youngest member of the family circle, Edgar G., born 
in 1895, has completed grammar-school studies and is now a student in the 
Suisun high school. Deeply interested in educational matters, Mr. Long has 
given to his children the best advantages his means rendered possible, and he 
also has endeavored to aid in securing for all children fair opportunities to 
acquire knowledge, for he believes that an educated citizenship furnishes the 
basis for all permanent prosperity. As early as 1885 he was chosen a school 
trustee and for about twelve years he served as chairman of the board, mean- 
while accomplishing much for the material upbuilding of the Suisun schools. 
For twelve years he was president of the board of trustees of Suisun, and the 
present water supply for the city was secured and completed during his presi- 
dency of the board, giving the city mountain water brought from Twin Sisters, 
a distance of nine miles. 

The political views of Mr. Long bring him into sympathetic relationship 
with the Republican party, and invariably he has given his support to the men 
and measures representing that organization. First elected county assessor 
in 1898, he has since been re-elected four times in succession and still fills the 
office with characteristic fidelity and intelligence. Various fraternities have 
the benefit of his co-operation. In Masonry he is connected with Suisun 
Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M. ; Solano Chapter No. 43, R. A. M. ; Vacaville Com- 
mandery No. 38, K. T. ; Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of San Francisco; 
and the Eastern Star, and in his relations with all he has endeavored to 
exemplify the doctrines of brotherhood for which the order stands. Besides 
being identified with Suisun Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F., he is an honorary 
member of the kindred order of Rebekahs. The Native Sons of the Golden 
West, Solano Parlor No. 39, of Suisun, number him among the prominent 
members of the organization, and he further holds connection with Suisun 
Lodge No. Ill, K. P.; Suisun Lodge No. 1467, F. O. E., and Vallejo Lodge No. 
559, B. P. O. E. 



WILLIAM HOFFMEIER. 

Proprietor of the Napa brewery, one of the largest institutions in the 
"North of Bay Counties," William Hoffmeier was born in Holungen, Province 
of Saxon, Kreis Worbis, Germany, March 9, 1858, son of William Hoffmeier, 
who was a farmer and freighter. The subject of this review was reared on 
the farm and educated in the public schools until fifteen years of age. At this 
time he was apprenticed to learn the trade of bricklayer and after this he 
learned the wheelwright's trade. In 1880 he came to the United States, first 
working at the wheelwright's trade in Wilkesbarre, Pa., and soon afterward 
starting in the wagon and carriage business in Parsons, Luzerne county, Pa., 
continuing there for himself with good success until 1888. Having read of 
the great opportunities of the Pacific coast and having a desire to come to the 
far west, he located in Tacoma, Wash., that year and opened a wagon and 
carriage business which he conducted successfully for the following seven 
years. In 1895 he located in Roslyn, B. C, and with a partner, Frank Dryer, 
erected the Columbia brewery. Two years later they sold this and went to 
Sandon, B. C, and together built the New York brewery and carried on a 
successful business until Mr. Hoffmeier sold his interests and accomplished a 
long cherished trip to the Fatherland and visited his father, who was living 
there in the old home place. 

On his return to the coast, Mr. Hoffmeier located in Napa county and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 221 

later purchased the Napa brewery, since which time he has remodeled the 
building and now has a well equipped and modern plant for the manufacture 
of steam beer, with a capacity of thirty barrels. The product is shipped to 
different cities of this section and is well received. He is also the agent for 
the Blue and Gold Brewery products of Oakland, Cal., and the distributor of 
the famous lager manufactured by that company. The Napa brewery was 
built about 1880 by Gottfried Wagner, who conducted the business until pur- 
chased by its present owner. It is the oldest establishment of its kind in the 
county. 

Mr. Hoffmeier was united in marriage in Napa to Miss Mary E. Ornduff, 
a native daughter of Napa county. Her father, Isaac Ornduff, was one of the 
old and highly respected settlers of the county. Of this union two sons have 
been born, William John and Uriel Francis. In fraternal circles Mr. Hoff- 
meier is a member of the Eagles and the Royal Arch. He is a genial, whole- 
souled man, always ready to assist those worthy projects that will build up 
the city and county. He has been successful and all that he has made has 
been the results of his own efforts. In Napa, where he is well known, he has 
a host of friends and, with his family, enjoys a wide circle of well wishers. 



SAMUEL RADELFINGER. 

Native of Switzerland, Mr. Radelfinger was born in Canton Berne in 
1839 and spent the early days of his boyhood with his family in the land of 
alpine glories. There he received what education he had and also learned 
the first principles of farming and dairying. At the age of eighteen years he 
left his native land and set out ion the United States. Arriving in New York 
in 1857, he went to Indiana and three years later came to California by way 
of the Isthmus, reaching San Francisco on October 28, 1860. After a short 
stay in Contra Costa county he went to Placerville, Eldorado county, and dur- 
ing the winter of 1860 he mined there, returning to San Francisco on October 
5, 1861. For three years during the war he was a member of Company E, 
Second California Volunteers, under Captain Gibbs and went from San Fran- 
cisco to Vancouver barracks. There he remained until the following May 
and then came to Humboldt county and later to San Francisco. After a short 
stay in that city the company was ordered back to Humboldt county and there 
they made a thorough tour of the county looking for Indians, who had become 
very troublesome to the inhabitants. For one year they did police duty and 
then returned to the south, going to Benicia barracks, Solano county. Again 
they were sent back to Humboldt county to assist the mountaineers and to 
guard them and in 1864 they were released from their scouting duty. Mr. 
Radelfinger then engaged in the hotel business, principally in Humboldt 
county, until 1891, when he came to Napa and engaged in horticulture, set- 
ting out an orchard and remaining upon it until 1903, when he removed to 
Napa. For years he was employed in the Mare Island navy yard, but in 1910 
he retired. 

Mr. Radelfinger was married in Humboldt county to Matilda Stanis- 
lawsky, a native of San Francisco, but of Prussian descent, her parents having 
come to California in 1851. To Mr. and Mrs. Radelfinger ten children were 
born, as follows : Henry H., Frank G, Frederick E., Samuel M., Mary A., 
Ida M., Emma E., Anna L., Florence G. and Grace M. Mary A. married 
Henry F. Allen and they reside in Humboldt county with their four sons; 
Ida M. married Z. M. Harris and with their two children make their home 
in Eureka, Cal.; Frederick enlisted as a private in the Thirty-fifth United 
States Volunteers at the outbreak of the Philippine war and after a service 
of about two years was honorably discharged at San Francisco, where he now 



222 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

makes his home with his wife, formerly Sadie McDermott; Florence G. mar- 
ried Capt. A. C. Parker and lives in Napa; Emma married J. L. Edington, 
and they are also residents of Napa county, living in Chiles valley with their 
two children; Anna, Grace and Samuel are single and reside in San Francisco; 
Frank G., a graduate of the University of California, married Blanch Imogene 
Peterson,' a daughter of the vice-consul of Norway and Sweden ; he is de- 
ceased and his widow resides in Washington, D. C, with her only child, 
Blanch Helen. Mr. Radelfinger now resides in Napa, rounding out the years 
of his useful life. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and 
Mrs. Radelfinger is a member of the Relief Corps. 



PETER WITT. 

A native of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, born in 1842, Peter Witt 
started to follow the sea at the early age of thirteen years. After making a 
few voyages from Hamburg, he sailed into the harbor of New York in 1860. 
For three years thereafter he made trips out of New York along the coast 
and to other lands and in 1863 he sailed on a two-hundred-day voyage around 
the Horn on the Shakespeare to San Francisco. The vessel on which he 
sailed carried a load of coal for the Pacific Coast Steamship Company. After 
arriving in San Francisco he worked along the shore for some time, and then, 
tiring of land employment, he shipped on the Bremen brig, Gazelle, Captain 
Hoslop, loaded with a general cargo for Mexican ports. Shortly prior to this, 
the old side-wheel steamer, Golden Gate, outward bound from Panama to San 
Francisco, carrying a valuable cargo of bullion, caught fire and was wrecked 
off the Mexican coast, and one and one-half million dollars worth of gold was 
lost. The following is the story told by Mr. Witt of the finding of this treas- 
ure, the stealing of the same and the escape of the thieves across Panama to 
the east: "As soon as the United States Government became aware of the 
loss of so much gold, they sent divers to the scene of the wreck with instruc- 
tions to recover the precious metal. One of the divers, the first one sent down, 
found the gold and moved it into shallow water and, on coming to the surface, 
he reported to his commander that the gold could not be found. The quest 
was thereupon abandoned and the diver returned to San Francisco. Just be- 
fore the good brig Gazelle put out from Golden Gate, three passengers were 
taken aboard, and, on arriving in the vicinity of the wreck of the Golden Gate, 
the Gazelle anchored and the three men went in the ship's boat, in the night, 
to the wreck on the rocks and recovered the treasure which the diver had 
placed in the shallow water, and concealed it on board the Gazelle. One of 
the three men was the diver who had found the gold. Later these men escaped 
with their plunder and the gold was never found. Numerous searching parties 
have gone to the Mexican coast in a futile attempt to recover the lost treasure." 
Mr. Witt states that this is a true story, as he was a sailor on the Gazelle at 
the time and saw the deed done. 

Continuing to sail out of California and South American ports, Mr. Witt 
finally became an officer with the Pacific Steamship Company and during his 
nautical experience he met with splendid success. Coming to Napa county 
in 1882. he bought the ranch on which he now resides, on Carneros creek. 
This consists of sixty-three acres of good land, ten acres being planted in 
bearing fruit, prunes and cherries. The owner is a member of the Farmers' 
Union. 

Mr. Witt was married in San Francisco to Sophie Dosher, a native of 
Germany, and of the- seven children born to the union, two are deceased. 
Those living are Lillian, wife of William Tossie ; Annie, the wife of Fred 
Boland; Henry, Grace and Madeline. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 225 

CHARLES AUGUSTUS DERBY. 

The life herein delineated commenced in Burlington, Vt., December 8, 
1845, and ended near Santa Rosa, Cal., January 19, 1906. Mr. Derby left his 
birthplace in 1862 and started for California via the Panama route. All went 
well until the vessel carrying him from Panama to San Francisco was entering 
Golden Gate, when a very heavy sea was encountered and much damage done 
to the ship. The deck house and the pilot house were washed overboard and 
the lives of the passengers endangered. Ultimately the vessel reached dock 
and Mr. Derby never cared to take another sea voyage after that harrowing 
experience. 

Coming immediately to Napa county, Mr. Derby settled first on the 
Sammon's ranch in the Carneros district, where he farmed with some success. 
After a while he moved into Napa city and entered the employ of the Wells- 
Fargo Express Company, and for thirty years he was faithful to his duties. 
During ten years of this time he acted in the capacity of agent for this national 
concern. For twenty years he was agent of the Union Ice Company of Napa, 
handling the whole of the company's output. For about twenty-five years 
he was a director of the Bank of Napa, being a member of the finance com- 
mittee. During his tenure of office he took a very prominent part in the 
affairs of the bank and was well known to its many depositors. During 
1892-93 he served one term in the city council of Napa. Fraternally he was 
a member of the Knights of Pythias and much interested in the progress of 
that order. His death occurred January 19, 1906,- and thus was ended the 
career of another of earth's strong men. He was a man of sterling integrity 
and character that was unblemished, a man whose word was as good as his 
bond, and he has left an example worthy of emulation. He was married in 
Napa, Cal., in 1876, to Florence L. Tracy, a native of Shelburne, Vt. 



ERNEST L. STREICH. 

One of the most picturesque section in Napa county lies about seven to 
ten miles west of the town of Napa. Its fascinating natural scenery of hill 
and canyon is typically Californian and has been further enhanced by the de- 
velopment of vineyards and the building of comfortable homes. Sequoia, Elk 
Park and Castle Rock Vineyard deserve special mention on account of their 
beauty both in their scenic attractions and in their vine-clad hills. Passing the 
first two and driving through the heavily wooded canyon of Mill creek, whose 
source is a few miles further on the southern slope of Mount Veeder, we come 
upon a massive giant rock raising its broad cliffs hundreds of feet into the 
blue sky. This is Castle Rock, the silent sentinel of the place or vineyard called 
by the same name. Right across from its perpendicular front lies Mount 
Veeder and at its base flows Mill creek, whose waters rush tumultuously over 
boulders and falls shaded bv tall redwoods and firs, mute witnesses of the flieht 
of time for centuries. 

Continuing our way for a half mile of an ascending road we come to the 
prettily gabled and modern home of the owner. It lies in the open on a knoll 
and commands a fine view of the canyon which we just left behind. The apti- 
tude which the owner of Castle Rock vineyard evinces in his specialty of viti- 
culture comes to him as an inheritance from his father, Nicholas Streich, who 
was born in Baden, Germany, in 1833, and reared in a wine district. As early 
as 1856 he made his first trip to California, via Panama, and took up the work 
of mining in Butte and Sierra counties. In 1865 he returned to Germany to 
marry and establish a home in his native land, where he became a prosperous 
winegrower near Freiburg. When in 1880 he again came to California he 

13 



226 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

brought his two eldest sons with him and selected the location in Napa county, 
which is now the home of Ernest L., his choice of this section being influenced 
by the altitude of fifteen hundred feet, the fertile soil and the general adapta- 
bility of the land to grape culture and winemaking. 

Nine years of activity in this line of work, during which part of the present 
vineyard was wrested from Nature's untouched and wooded hills, were fol- 
lowed by the return of Nicholas Streich to Germany, where he continued to 
cultivate his farm and vineyard until his death in 1898. Surviving him and 
residing at the old homestead is his wife, Barbara (Schmidlin) Streich, a na- 
tive of Baden. Near her live her married daughter, Emily, and her youngest 
son, Seth, who is the proprietor of a hotel and resort located on the Streich 
estate. The second son, Robert, is a resident of Chicago, 111., where he is en- 
gaged in the wholesale and retail wine business. The eldest member of the 
family, Ernest L., was born near Freiburg, Baden, June 2, 1868, and attended 
school both there and here. 

Trained from early life in the work of viticulture, the present owner of 
Castle Rock continued the work of his father when the latter returned to Ger- 
many. When that destructive insect, the phylloxera, also got into his vineyard, 
he replaced the dead vines with resistant stock, using for that purpose mostly 
the Rupestris St. George. After much and continued hard work, during which 
years his perseverance and courage were severely tested, he has now over 
forty acres of thrifty and well bearing vines. A small wine cellar was built 
some years ago, but this is about to be supplanted by a larger one in order to 
afford better facilities and to meet future demands. Modern improvements 
bespeak the owner's progressive spirit, such as steam power and the applica- 
tion of the latest methods of winemaking. It is noteworthy that all these 
achievements were realized by dint of persistent effort and with but limited 
means. The wines so produced are of a high character and find a ready market 
in Chicago, where the Streich Bros. Co. are the distributors. 

The subject of our sketch has not only been identified with the develop- 
ment and improvement of viticulture and winemaking, but has also concerned 
himself with other matters of general interest, particularly that of better high- 
ways and the efficiency of district schools. He has been one of the prime 
movers and active workers in the plan of a great highway from Napa toward 
the Redwoods, one-half of which is now completed and the other three miles 
being about to be laid down. He has also acted as school trustee and secre- 
tary for the Redwood district school. In his domestic relations he was blessed 
with the companionship of a devoted wife, but bereaved by her death on De- 
cember 29, 1908. A son and daughter, Robert Jordan and Emily Barbara, 
blessed their union. Mrs. Streich was formerly Miss Lillie Mabel Kunzel, 
being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Kunzel, who lived for years on a farm 
at the head of Browns valley, which is three miles west of Napa on the way 
to the Redwoods. She was born in Denver, Colo., but came to the Pacific 
coast at an early age and was married in 1903. She was well liked by every 
one who knew her and had the personal traits that win and retain the affection 
of friends and acquaintances. In like manner is Mr. Streich's standing in the 
community due to his integrity, which gains the confidence of his associates 
and friends and forms the foundation of his success. 



CASTLE ROCK VINEYARD. 

That hilly district seven miles west of the prosperous little town of Napa, 
Cal., known as the Redwoods, or Napa Redwoods, has certain features of both 
soil and climate that are going to give it a good name for the production of 
high-class dry wines. The rainfall is abundant every year and it is dotted 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 227 

with springs all over, whose waters are devoid of mineral matter, and therefore 
exceedingly wholesome to drink. The soils are good, though of varied kinds, 
and are well adapted to viticulture, and the climate is agreeable. Hot summer 
davs are tempered by cool breezes and the winter frosts yield before a warm 
noon sun. The presence of the redwood trees speaks for not only rich soil, but 
also for abundant moisture. Fogs that stay on the floor of Napa valley all 
day here disperse long before midday. No wonder that under such conditions 
the grape vine finds a good habitat for its growth and productiveness, and the 
so-called dry wines reveal a remarkably good vinous character in that district. 

Much as location and soil determine the quality of our California wines 
and are allowed to establish the reputation of certain districts, there is still 
much to be wished for regarding the efforts of intelligent vvinemakers in fur- 
ther developing such natural quality by more exact and scientific methods. 
Even localities where wines are only of fair quality could by these means be 
made to yield a superior product. In other words, better wines could be made 
everywhere if winemakers in general were more ambitious to make a little 
extra endeavor and put in some of their time, money and thought for the 
greater reputation of California wines in general. What helps all will surely 
improve the market and the export of our wines. 

The object of this article is to call attention to such new or improved 
methods of winemaking as have been advocated time and again by the men of 
science at our State University, but which the writer believes were first sys- 
tematically carried out on a somewhat larger scale at Castle Rock vineyard by 
E. L. Streich. It required years of patient effort and a continual criticism 
of the results, so that the methods employed often had to be modified to suit 
the conditions of the locality. The writer doubts if there is in this whole state 
an establishment, small though it be, where so progressive an effort has been 
made for a higher standard of winemaking. During the last six vintages so 
conducted more uniformly better wine was made than ever before. In other 
words, the extra labor and thought bestowed upon these methods are war- 
ranted by the results. The writer has been associated with Mr. Streich for 
some years and can vouch for the absolute purity of his wines as well as for 
their good keeping qualities and high character in general ; and the conviction 
that this industry could be wonderfully developed in this blessed state of ours 
along just such lines of work caused him to publish a book in which these 
methods were set forth in detail by the operations followed at Castle Rock 
vineyard. 

Such improvements in winemaking should especially appeal to the smaller 
producer, for it requires more personal attention for the individual tanks in 
fermentation than can be given at a large plant. Of course, it is not encour- 
aging to make this extra effort if the product is lost among the cellars of 
the dealers, but where a direct market can be obtained and the customer 
knows the origin of the wine and has confidence in the brand, such extra 
efforts are well applied. For the true progress of the industry every possible 
encouragement should be given, morally and financially, for better methods 
of making the wine, so that a larger percentage of it may be sound and uni- 
form in quality from the very start. The winemakers may be largely at fault 
for the present conditions of affairs, but the dealers also hold out no induce- 
ment in the way of prices that would warrant the extra work and care. 

The main object of these improved methods of winemaking is to have 
control over the fermentations. The old haphazard style must be abandoned 
and the complex conditions of the vintage reduced to greater certainty by 
more effective and exact operations. In the first place, the winemaker should 
acquaint himself with the effect or working power, as it might be termed, of 
pure yeast, the fundamental idea being that the natural or "wild" yeasts that 
ordinarily start the fermentation are not sufficiently strong to withstand or 



228 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

fight down the many harmful germs that enter the juice during the vintage. 
As it is, the outcome of fermentations is to some degree uncertain because 
of the temperautre of the weather and the quality of the grapes, both of which 
factors are gifts of nature. Pure yeast, though powerful in its action, should 
be assisted by sulphur to some extent, which acts as a germicide on the var- 
ious bacteria in the must, so that the yeast may be all the more effective in 
its work. Sulphur has not only a cleansing effect, but also causes the result- 
ing fermentation to be more even and thorough, and through its influence the 
wines are cleaner and sounder from the start. Nearly all the sulphur disap- 
pears during the process of fermentation, and there can be no objection to its 
limited use. 

For the further control of the fermentations the cooling of the must or 
juice is a very important item of the methods advocated. It means that the 
fermenting must is to be kept within a certain limit of temperature, the maxi- 
mum in our manipulations being from 82° to 84° F. The object of this is 
to preserve the aroma and render it finer by not exposing the essential oils 
in the juice to excessive heat. It will also keep the alcohol from volatilizing, 
so that with the given sugar in the grapes we obtain a relatively higher per- 
centage of alcohol than under uncontrolled temperatures. Such cooling gives 
us a softer and more unctuous wine, which may in part be due to the produc- 
tion of glycerine. Even wines that are apt to show a sherry odor or flavor 
in time under the ordinary fermentation do not, under this treatment, develop 
this undesirable feature. Cooling requires, of course, a good supply of cold 
water. At Castle Rock vineyard there is a special spring for that purpose, 
yielding about 400 gallons of water per hour at 56° F., which does some 
very effective work in that line. Cooling should, however, be done accurately 
and like any other operation in these methods calls for promptness, judgment 
and calculation. In the main it is a simple matter and a little practice soon 
enables one to strike it right. 

The results of these new methods, combining the work of pure yeast, a 
limited use of sulphur, and relatively low temperatures in the fermentations, 
may be summed up as follows : 

1. Greater smoothness and quality. 

2. Better or finer aroma and vinous character. 

3. Early brightness. 

4. Good keeping qualities. 

Tf with these methods we show an aptitude for the work as evinced by 
promptness of manipulations, exactness of observation, and particularly 
scrupulous cleanliness, the probability of unsound wines should certainly be 
reduced to a minimum. 

Such effective control of the fermentation removes winemaking from the 
domain of luck and makes it possible for our wines in California to compare 
favorably with the products of Europe. It is the writer's firm conviction that 
light dry wines will do more for the cause of true temperance — that is, mod- 
eration in drinking — than the enforcement of total abstinence can ever hope 
to accomplish. Drinking such wines with one's meals is the best cure for the 
indulgence in heavier beverages, besides being an aid to digestion and general 
health. Millions upon millions of Americans will still have to learn this im- 
portant lesson from the nations of Europe. Any effort in the direction of 
making our California wines more palatable is therefore a move for the great- 
er advancement of the industry and for the enlargement of our market. The 
writer hopes that similar work as that done at Castle Rock vineyard will be 
taken up all over the state wherever feasible, because only then can we main- 
tain a high and more uniform standard in the wines of our superb California. 

Rudolf Jordan, Jr. 




FRANK L. CARLTON 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 231 

FRANK L. CARLTON. 

For nearly half a century which elapsed between the location of Mr. 
Carlton in Vallejo and his death, no project lacked his cordial support and 
enthusiastic assistance. It is often said that the successful conduct of busi- 
ness is inconsistent with high moral character, and that the temptations of a 
life that is at all active are too great for a man to attain distinction without 
some fall to blemish his character. In Mr. Carlton we have the answer so 
often made by such men that earnestness of purpose, determination to succeed 
without injury to others, broadening of the mind by active association with 
all kinds of men, keeping the heart warm and the spirits alert, will bring 
success and lead a man away from all that is undesirable or enable him to 
abhor it, strengthen his Christian character and added to all this, give him 
the love and admiration of his associates. 

This honored pioneer of Solano county was born in Brookfield, Vt., July 
4, 1833, and passed away in March, 1908, at the old family residence in Vallejo, 
which is still the home of the widow. In his youth he was given fairly good 
educational advantages, and as a preparation for his after life in the world 
of activities he learned the trade of engineer in Massachusetts. Knowledge 
of his trade was an important equipment, but better still was the training 
which he had received at the hands of his parents, who were substantial New 
Englanders and who instilled in the mind of their son those principles of 
uprightness and justice toward his fellow-men that characterized the most 
trivial undertaking of his entire life. At the age of twenty-five years, in 1858, 
he left his New England home and set out for the far west, going by the 
Panama route and reaching his destination without encountering accidents 
or set-backs of a serious nature. From San Francisco, where he landed on 
the Pacific side, he finally went to Sacramento and found work at his trade 
and while following this was on the lookout for a field that offered brighter 
possibilities than the one before him. Altogether he remained in Sacramento 
two years, then, in 1860, came to Vallejo, and from that time until his death 
he continued to live in the same square in which he first located. Upon com- 
ing to Vallejo he was fortunate in securing a responsible position as engineer 
in the employ of the United States government at Mare Island and no better 
testimony of his efficient services could be given than in stating that he re- 
mained in this position for thirty years consecutively, and when he retired 
to private life in 1885 he carried with him the good will and friendship of all 
with whom he had business relations, all recognizing his superior qualities 
as man and employe and valuing him at his true worth. 

Upon coming to Vallejo Mr. Carlton purchased property on Georgia 
street at a nominal figure as compared with the price at which the same land 
is held today, and here, after giving up active business life, he lived for many 
years in the enjoyment of those comforts which the accumulations of former 
years had made possible. Sharing these comforts was the wife of his youth, 
who before her marriage was Miss Mary F. Gay, a native of Union, Me., and 
the daughter of Elijah and Joanna (Curtis) Gay, of that city and there their 
marriage occurred in 1856. To a man of Mr. Carlton's temperament and 
training a selfish life was impossible, and his greatest happiness was found 
in doing for others whatever lay in his power to do. He was a great lover 
of music, for which he had a natural gift, and for over twenty years he served 
as organist of the Methodist church of Vallejo, of which he was trustee for 
over a quarter of a century. Besides his activities in the various departments 
of the church and as a member of the school board, he was also well known 
in fraternal circles, being a charter member and one of the founders of San 
Pablo Lodge of Odd Fellows of Vallejo, and was senior member of his lodge 
at the time of his death. Since his death Mrs. Carlton has built stores on 
their residence lot. 



232 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carlton the only child who lived to 
mature years was Frank E. Carlton, a resident of San Jose. From his father 
he inherited a love of music which he has made his life profession and is a 
teacher of considerable prominence in San Jose, being a graduate of King's 
conservatory of that city. 






J. H. SHIVELY. 

Among the well-to-do ranchers of Napa county is J. H. Shively, who has 
been a resident of California since March 10, 1876. He was born in Howard 
county, Inch, September 17, 1850. His father was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, and came to America when twelve years of age and with his father set- 
tled first in New York and then in Howard county, Ind., where he followed 
farming. In 1853 he removed to Davis county, Iowa, and improved a farm 
from the wild prairie land, purchasing it from the government at $1.25 an acre. 
He worked at mauling rails at $1 per hundred, and turned out about two hun- 
dred per day. At the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Second 
Iowa Infantry and served nearly three years. By the practice of economy he 
succeeded in attaining a competency on the farm and retiring from active duty, 
he moved to Coatesville, Mo., where he died at the age of eighty-seven years. 
He married Ann Meliza, who was born in Rockingham county, Va., of German 
parents. She died in Coatesville at the age of seventy-seven. They were the 
parents of five children, of whom four are living. Their oldest son, George, 
served in the Twenty-first Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was 
wounded at Pittsburg Landing. 

J. H. Shively, third child in his father's family and the only one in Cali- 
fornia, was reared on the farm in Iowa and educated in the public schools. 
He remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years old, at which 
time he engaged in independent operations, locating in Dallas county, where 
he followed farming until 1876, when he came to California. From early 
childhood he had heard of the advantages to be found in California, but it was 
not until the above-named year that he was enabled to enjoy the fruition of 
his hopes. He landed in Napa county March 17, 1876, and began work as a 
farmhand, and since his arrival has been engaged in farming. In 1881 he went 
to Santa Clara county and near Mountain View cultivated a vineyard for four 
years, when he returned to Napa county and bought ten acres, the nucleus of 
his present holdings. He resides on this land, which is located about two miles 
north of Napa, where he engages in general farming. From time to time he 
has added to his place until he now owns one hundred and thirty-five acres in 
one body, upon which he has made all the improvements, showing what can 
be done by industry and close application. He has beautified his place by 
planting trees and shrubs, among which is a row of pines in his driveway. 
Besides his own property he leases other land, farming about two hundred 
and thirty acres. He engages quite extensively in raising full-blooded Shrop- 
shire sheep. For recreation he loves to hunt and fish and owns his own boat, 
with which he cruises around the bay and its sloughs. 

Mr. Shively was married in Napa county to Miss Laura Robinson, a na- 
tive of Boston, Mass., and a daughter of E. W. Robinson, who was born in 
Maine, and came from Boston to Napa county, Cal., where he followed farm- 
ing. Mrs. Shively was but seven years old when she accompanied her parents 
to California. Here she has been reared and educated. Two children grew 
to maturity and are living: Mabel R., an artist and an instructor in Myers 
School of Art in Berkeley, and John Edwin, attending the local schools. In 
national politics Mr. Shively is a Republican. He is interested in the develop- 
ment of oil in Napa county as a stockholder in a company formed for that pur- 
pose, besides having other business interests. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 233 

FRANK M. SILVA. 

The development of a high civilization with its complicated system of 
laws necessitates the presence in every community of men of logical reasoning 
faculties, broad knowledge of jurisprudence and habits of thoughtful research. 
These qualities in a large measure enter into the temperamental faculties and 
trained abilities of Mr. Silva, who has attained a high standing at the bar of 
Nap,a a city noted for the eminent attainments of its attorneys and their inti- 
mate knowledge of the law in all of its departments. It has been possible for 
him, through natural endowments and thorough training, to rise to a position 
of respect and influence among others of the same profession and throughout 
the entire county he is recognized as a concise reasoner, a discriminating 
counselor and an accurate exponent of the laws as expounded by the master 
legal minds of the world. 

The earliest recollections of Mr. Silva cluster around the little city of 
Napa, where he was born March 6, 1879, and where his parents, Manuel and 
Elizabeth Silva, made their home for many years. Immature childhood found 
him giving promise of unusual talent and he therefore was given the best ad- 
vantages posisble, being sent to St. Mary's College in Oakland after he had 
completed the course of study in the Napa public school. His college career 
was gratifying to his friends and honorable in every respect and in 1898 he 
graduated from St. Mary's with the degree of A. B. Returning to Napa, he 
took up the study of law in the office of Hon. Theodore Bell, and later prose- 
cuted his legal researches in Hastings Law College at San Francisco, from 
which he was graduated with the class of 1903. On the 15th of May, same 
year, he was admitted to the bar of the state. In 1911 his Alma Mater con- 
ferred upon him the degree of A. M. 

Upon his return to Napa the young attorney became associated with the 
law firm of Bell, York & Bell, and in that office he broadened his knowledge 
of the law by active practice and thoughtful attention to the methods employed 
by experienced attorneys with whom it was his privilege to be associated. 
During May of 1907 he was chosen city attorney and held the position until 
the following September, when he resigned in order to accept the office of dis- 
trict attorney. Both of these posts he filled with energy and intelligence and 
in both he showed a mind stored with legal lore, fortified by research and 
quickened by ripening experience. At the expiration of his term, on the 1st 
of January, 1911, he entered upon a general practice at Napa and now gives his 
time and attention to cases brought him by his increasing clientele. His com- 
fortable home is presided over with grace and dignity by Mrs. Silva, who is a 
native of Texas and a graduate of the University of California. Prior to their 
marriage in 1908 she bore the name of Elizabeth B. Strohl. One son, Francis 
J., blesses the union. Fraternally Mr. Silva holds membership with the Be- 
nevolent Protective Order of Elks (of which he is, 1911-12, exalted ruler), the 
Eagles, Knights of Columbus (having passed through all the offices of the 
same) and the Native Sons of the Golden West (of which he is past president 
of the local parlor), and he is also identified' with the Young Men's Institute 
of Napa. 



JOHN HUCK. 



Within the shadow of the Vosges mountains and not far distant from the 
beautiful waters of the Rhine dwelt the Alsatian family of Huck, the head of 
which, Simon Huck, served for fourteen years in the French army and was 
loyally devoted to the welfare of that country. There he was born and there 
in 1885 he passed away at the age of eighty-two years. One week before his 
demise his wife had died at seventy-nine years of age. Their son, John, was 



234 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

born in Alsace-Lorraine in 1864 and received a thorough education in both 
French and German. At the age of fourteen years he completed common- 
school studies and entered a French college, where he carried on the regular 
course for three years. Meanwhile the country had passed through a critical 
period of the national history and the beautiful land of his birth had passed 
out of the hands of the French into the government of Germany. These and 
other reasons induced him to seek another home in the New World. 

After crossing the ocean and proceeding to Illinois, Mr. Hack settled in 
St. Clair county, where he was employed in a grocery business and on a farm. 
From 1881 until 1883 he remained in that locality, but in the latter year he 
came to the western coast and settled in San Francisco. Although he came 
alone and had no friends in the west, he experienced no difficulty in securing 
employment, for he was a reliable workman. For a time he worked in Napa 
county and also in the Suisun valley, his position in the latter neighborhood 
being first in the orchard of a well-to-do widow, next at the Hatch orchard 
and then as a ranch laborer. Later he returned to San Francisco and worked 
in a bakery, but soon came back to Solano county, where ever since he has 
made his home. 

The marriage of John Huck in 1897 united him with Miss Mary Connelly, 
who was born in the Suisun valley in 1867, a daughter of Edward Connelly, 
late of Solano county, but deceased in 1904. Mrs. Connelly still lives at the 
old homestead. Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Huck, namely: Emil, born in 1898; Elwin, 1900, and Mabel I., 1904, all now 
students in the Fairfield schools. 

It was during the year 1902 that Mr. Huck embarked in the transfer 
business and since then he has operated the only business of that kind in 
Fairfield and Suisun. Since 1904 he also has engaged in selling coal and wood 
on Union avenue, Suisun, where he has built a warehouse and where he has 
established a large trade in grain, coal, wood and builders' supplies, the largest 
fuel business in Suisun or Fairfield. Mr. Huck is a Democrat and is serving 
his second term as a trustee of the town of Fairfield, and in that position, as 
well as in the capacity of a private citizen, he has been one of the most earnest, 
as he was also one of the first, agitators of the project to introduce a sewer 
system into the town, believing it to be an improvement sorely needed and 
sure to bring sanitary and other returns that would more than justify the 
expense. 



HENRY LEROY BASSFORD. 

A native son and proud to own it, Henry Leroy Bassford was born March 
2, 1881. near Vacaville, and here he passed his youth in the public schools, 
finishing his training by taking a business course in the Vacaville high school. 
At the close of this course he went to work on a fruit ranch belonging to his 
father, remaining there until 1908, when he leased two hundred acres of or- 
chard land and a similar quantity of pasture land two miles west of Vacaville 
and engaged in horticulture and stock raising, and during the busy season he 
employs upward of seventy men to do the necessary work in the orchard. 

Mr. Bassford has shown his ability along horticultural lines by the suc- 
cess that has attended his efforts in the cultivation of prunes. On one hun- 
dred and ten acres of fertile land he makes a specialty of French Imperial 
prunes, originally imported from France and said to be among the finest 
prunes in the world. The crops that are gathered bear testimony to the fer- 
tility of the soil and the knowledge of the cultivator. As high as two hundred 
tons of prunes have been raised on this ranch in one season. 

In April, 1909, Mr. Bassford was married to Miss Lela May Raine, a na- 
tive of Missouri, and they have two children, Henry Ambrose and Louise. 




^'T^^^x^//^ 



4sU<<l<4^L&-^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 237 

Mr. Bassford's father, Henry A. Bassford, is a native son and is still living 
in Vaca valley. 

Politically Mr. Bassford is a Republican and at the present time he holds 
the position of clerk of the school board in Lagoon district. He is a member 
of the Knights of Pythias of Vacaville. 



EMANUEL MANASSE. 

One of Napa's most respected and public spirited citizens for many years, 
Emanuel Manasse was born in Beinheim, Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, August 
7, 1842. His father, Leopold Manasse, was a native of that country and was 
a merchant in his home city. Emanuel was reared in his German home and 
attended the public and private schools in pursuit of an education until he 
was old enough to be apprenticed to a trade, and in that he followed other 
members of the family bearing the name and was sent to Friedberg, near 
Frankfort, where he was given opportunity to learn the tanner's trade. In 
1864 he decided to come to the New World and, having mastered his trade, he 
left home and friends and started in a new part of the country to carve fame 
and fortune for himself. Locating in Williamsburg, N. Y., he remained there 
for a time engaged at his trade. In 1865 he came to the coast country with 
his wife, coming by way of Nicaragua. In San Francisco he soon found an 
opportunity to make an investment, purchasing an interest in the Hellwig 
Tannery. He continued in this place of business for a time and then sold out, 
after which he bought a place of his own and remained actively engaged until 
1871. when he came to Napa as superintendent of the Sawyer Tannery. 

Always alert to discover new processes he experimented with the various 
methods and discovered the new process of tanning sheep skin for shoes, 
gloves, etc.. known as the Napa patent leather, which he patented. It was 
about this time that his talents were impressed upon his employers and in 
1880 he was taken in as a partner and was one of the incorporators of the new 
concern, but continued actively as superintendent of the plant. His next dis- 
covery was a new process for tanning cowhide to make it water-proof, and 
this has become very widely known as the Nap-A-Tan process. Much credit 
for the growth of the business was due to Mr. Manasse, who had g^iven the 
best years of his life to turning out a superior grade of goods, and which 
gained a name and fame for durability and quality. He was one of the organ- 
izers and a director of the Norton Tanning Company in South San Francisco. 
He was also interested in the Napa Woolen Mills, and was instrumental in 
securing the shoe and glove factory for Napa. After a long and active career 
he passed away in Napa, September 17, 1899. 

In New York Mr. Manasse was united in marriage with Miss Anna Marie 
Amelia Hellwig, who was a native of Friedberg, Germany. Her father, Tohan 
Heinrich Hellwig, was a tanner by trade, and in 1864 arrived in the United 
States. He soon afterward came to San Francisco, where he began business, 
building a tannery on Burnell Heights. Later he was located on Twenty-sixth 
and Mission streets, and still later erected a building in South San Francisco 
and carried on business with fine success for many years. The building is still 
standing on the site where he built. His wife was Barbara Solz, who died in 
Germany. There were five children : Mrs. Manasse, Mrs. Johanette Fisher 
of Sacramento, Mrs. Eliza Renzel of San Jose, Mrs. Carolina Frederick of San 
Francisco and Christian Hellwig, also of San Francisco. Mrs. Manasse came 
to New York in 1863 and was a resident of that state until her marriage with 
Mr. Manasse, in 1865. She became the mother of six children, viz. : Lena, 
the wife of R. Hellwig, and residing in San Jose; Henry J., vice-president of 
the Sawyer Tanning Co. in Napa ; Anna, who married William Lindow, and 



238 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

lives in Napa; Edward G., who is treasurer and superintendent of the Sawyer 
Tanning Company; August, manager of the Berkeley Tanning Co., and 
Amelia, Mrs. John Whittier of Berkeley. Mrs. Manasse is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church of Napa and subscribes to its charities liberally. She is 
a woman of much force of character and has shown her good business intellect 
by carrying on the affairs in which her husband was interested, and in this 
she has met with deserved success. In all matters that have helped to advance 
the city and county she has given her willing support. 

Mr, Manasse was a Republican in politics and was prominent in the 
workings of the party. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and 
ranked as a Knight Templar; also was a member of the Odd Fellows and 
the Encampment. To aid those from his native country he held membership 
in the Turn Verein and served as its president at one time. He passed away 
in 1899, after a life filled with good deeds and one that is worthy of emulation. 
He was ever foremost in promoting those things that would advance the 
general welfare of the people ; he was kind, courteous, generous to a fault, and 
no one ever sought his aid in vain, when he was satisfied that the object was 
worthy. He was a friend of education and was ever ready to assist worthy 
movements to educate the young men and women. He was a man of strict 
integrity and his word once given was as good as his bond. 



JOSEPH RANDALL ENGLISH. 

Natural aptitude for financial affairs, which ultimately led him into promi- 
nent connection with the First National Bank and the First Savings Bank 
of Vallejo, comes to Mr. English as an inheritance from progenitors both on 
the paternal side and through the maternal ancestry. The banking circles of 
Philadelphia for years contained no financier more influential than Thomas 
Biddell English, father of Joseph R., who although born in New Jersey spent 
practically the whole of his life in the Pennsylvania metropolis, where he rose 
to distinction in the line of his chosen specialty. His opinions in investments 
and his judgments as to bonds and notes were received with deference by 
his contemporaries, and he wielded an influence neither unimportant nor tem- 
porary in the financial upbuilding of the city. It may also be mentioned that 
Joseph Randall, an uncle in whose honor Mr. English was named, held a con- 
nection with the Western Bank of Philadelphia, and a cousin, William 
Schaffer, acted as cashier of the Girard bank up to the time of his demise. 

Born in Philadelphia and educated in the grammar and high schools of 
his native city, Joseph Randall English entered into commercial activities at 
the age of eighteen years. During 1863 he came via the isthmus to California 
in company with an uncle, Henry Mackie, with whom he journeyed as far 
east as Nevada City, Nevada county. In that town in early days the uncle 
opened a banking establishment and the young man for a time acted as an 
assistant, but later left the bank to embark in the stage and express business. 
For seven years he had charge of the stage line between Nevada City and 
Moore's Flat, Nevada county. At the expiration of the seven years he came 
to Vallejo with his uncle, who incorporated the Vallejo Savings and Commer- 
cial Bank in partnership with John B. Frisbie, Mr. English entering the new 
institution as assistant cashier. The uncle remained only for a year, when 
Mr. English took his place as cashier and for twenty-nine years he continued 
with the concern in that capacity. 

Two years after he had been chosen cashier of the bank Mr. English was 
appointed city treasurer to fill the unexpired term of John E. Abbott and for 
a quarter of a century he faithfully served Vallejo as its treasurer. Upon his 
retirement from the bank with which he had been connected for a long and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 239 

profitable period, again with Gen. J. B. Frisbie he organized the Citizens 
Bank of Vallejo, which was incorporated in 1899 with some of the most promi- 
nent business men of the city among its stockholders. During 1909 the First 
National Bank was incorporated, and ever since then Mr. English has held 
the office of vice president, Avhile in addition he is president of the First Sav- 
ings Bank, organized and incorporated the same year, with the same directors 
as the First National Bank. Both institutions rest upon a solid foundation 
and enjoy the confidence of a large list of depositors. To a large degree their 
prestige and success have come from the supervision of Mr. English, officially 
connected with both as well as one of their largest stockholders. Throughout 
the entire county he is regarded as one of the best-posted banking men in this 
part of the state and among financiers his influence, formed by years of sound 
banking business, is felt in the strengthening of investments, in the deepening 
of a regard for the protection of depositors and in a broadening of banking 
prestige. 

Aside from the time given to the chosen activities of his life, Mr. English 
has found leisure to identify himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. It was not until after his 
removal to Vallejo that he established a home of his own, being united in 
1874 with Mary K. Cummings, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and for many 
years a beloved resident of Vallejo, where in 1904 her death occurred. Of the 
two daughters of the marriage, one, Catherine, died in infancy, and the other, 
Miss Marie L., resides at the homestead, No. 732 Georgia street, being in 
charge of her father's attractive residence and the companion of his hours of 
leisure. Mr. English has been a lifelong Republican and is an active member 
of the Presbyterian church of Vallejo, and not only to these, but to all move- 
ments that have for their aim the upbuilding of the community he gives his' 
substantial encouragement and aid. 



WENZEL KUNZEL. 

Belonging to the past rather than to the present sphere of usefulness in 
Napa, Mr. Kunzel has laid aside to a large extent the implements with which 
he cultivated his ranch and is now enjoying the serenity and repose which are 
the rightful heritage of those who have filled the three score years and ten 
allotted to man with worthy activities. Such may be said of Mr. Kunzel, one 
of the oldest settlers in Brown's valley, who has relinquished active work on 
his ranch and is now making his home with his son-in-law, Ernest L. Streich, 
in Napa. 

Mr. Kunzel was born by Carlsbad, Bohemia, March 5, 1841, and was 
early in life made familiar with the duties of farming, for his parents were till- 
ers of the soil and the children in the family had their chores to perform as a 
part of the round of work which was necessary before the prevalence of mod- 
ern machinery on the farm lightened the burdens. Until he was fourteen 
years of age he attended the common schools of Carlsbad, and then appren- 
ticed himself to learn the mason's trade, but instead of following it, as soon 
as he had mastered it, he enlisted in the Austrian army. His service in his 
country's cause covered six years and three months, as a member of the 
Eighth Battery, Twelfth Artillery, and as corporal he took part in all of the 
engagements of the Austro-German war. While in battle on July 3, 1866, his 
horse was shot under him and he was so severely injured in his left knee that 
he has been lame ever since. After his honorable discharge from the army 
he made arrangements to come to the United States. The year 1870 found 
him among the immigrants who came to these hospitable shores, and he has 
had no cause to wish that circumstances had been different in the casting of 



240 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

his lot. His first experience in this country was working at the mason's trade 
in Ottawa, Kan., where he remained for about one year, when he went to 
Denver, Colo., and there took up contracting and building, following this until 
he came to California in 1883. In that year he came to Napa county and on 
the ranch which he purchased in Brown's valley he continued to make his 
home as long as he actively engaged in agriculture. He located there June 
6, 1883, and is still in possession of the property, which comprises two hun- 
dred and twenty-eight acres, five miles north of Napa. Here he engaged in 
the dairy business very successfully for many years, and at the same time 
improving the property by the erection of good buildings and keeping the 
fences in the best repair. In addition to the dairy business he also planted a 
small orchard that not only proved a source of pleasure and comfort to the 
family, but enhanced the beauty of the ranch also. Since 1906 Mr. Kunzel has 
been relieved of the cares of the ranch, having rented it to a tenant in that 
year, and he has since made his home with his son-in-law, Ernest L. Streich. 
Mr. Kunzel's marriage in Denver, Colo., in 1879, united him with Mrs. 
Barbara (Klein) Summer, who was born in Prussia. Two children were born 
to Mr. Kunzel and his wife, but both are now deceased, as is also his wife. 
The eldest child and only daughter, Lillie, became the wife of Ernest L. 
Streich, and at her death left two children. Mr. Kunzel's only son, Gustaf A., 
died at the age of twenty years. Notwithstanding that he has been bereft 
of all of the members of his immediate family, Mr. Kunzel is still cheerful 
and kindly, accepting the inevitable with a resignation that is commendable. 
Politically he is a Democrat in national politics. 



TERRENCE COYLE DONNELLY. 

A native of Ireland, Mr. Donnelly was born in County Tyrone, February 
22, 1839. In his native land he received an education commensurate with the 
facilities of the times and when about eighteen years old he began his inde- 
pendent career by coming to the United States. Setting sail for Philadelphia 
in 1857. he reached his destination in due time and the same year crossed the 
plains to California. The year 1859 found him in Benicia, and the same year 
he came to Napa. In the first-mentioned place his brother, John F. Donnelly, 
owned a store, and in the last his uncle, James Donnelly, also owned a store, 
and for several years he was employed between the two. In 1860 he went to 
Lake county on muleback in the interest of his uncle's stock business, and in 
1870 he bought his uncle's store and continued the business. While in this 
business he captured a man who had hid under his bed in the room in the rear 
of the store. The robber might have succeeded in his plan had he not moved. 
Hearing the noise, John Conboy, the clerk, immediately lit a candle and when 
the robber came from under the bed Mr. Donnelly captured him. He was sent 
up for eight years. It might be added that there was $15,000 in the safe. 

After coming to Napa county Mr. Donnelly was married to Miss Jennie 
MacDonald, a native of Canada. They have one son, Frank, who is a regis- 
tered pharmacist. He married Esther Queenland, a native of California, and 
they have one son, F. Leonard. 

T. C. Donnelly kept the grocery store in Napa for some time and when he 
came to this city he owned four houses and resided with his sister, Margaret 
A. Laughlin. Later he received an appointment as mail carrier. The annals 
of Napa county relate that Thomas C. Jenkins murdered P. O'Brien, the deed 
being committed in Wild Horse valley in 1864. The sheriff being an old man 
was unable to capture the criminal and so Mr. Donnelly, with a public-spirit 
worthy the name of patriotism, with three boys decided to constitute them- 
selves into a posse and run the murderer to earth. They received direction 





Cys/jftf. gjilmuA 



^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 243 

from Ed. Day, who was then running a sheep ranch, to the effect that the 
murderer had gone up the Rag Canyon. Thither they followed the trail with 
much haste and on coming to a cave in the mountain side which seemed to 
afford a shelter, they found it inhabited by a huge lion, on sight of which they 
all retreated, well satisfied to leave the capture of the man killer to other and 
more experienced hands. Mr. Donnelly's first vote was cast for Abraham 
Lincoln in 1863 and he relates with pride how he heard Mr. Lincoln make an 
impassioned speech prior to his election. 



THOMAS SMITH. 

The history of the best years of Vallejo goes hand in hand with the best 
years of Thomas Smith. So closely have the undertakings of this respected 
citizen been interwoven with the progress of the city, that a record of either 
would be incomplete without mention of the other. In his character and 
personality Mr. Smith embodies those genial and optimistic qualities so dis- 
tinctly the possession of the sons of Ireland, and which open the way to those 
things which delight the heart and expand business opportunity. He was 
born in Ireland in 1842, and with his parents came to America in a sailing 
vessel when five years of age. For a time the home of the family was in 
New Orleans, where the father died, and later the mother removed to Galena, 
111., with her five children, and still later to Lafayette county, Wis., where 
Thomas received a common school education. Owing to the necessity of 
assisting the mother in the maintenance of the family the lad knew little 
leisure, and at an early age he began to work in the lead mines. He also drove 
a team, hauling lead ore to Benton and Shulsburg, and piglead to Galena. 
Subsequently he engaged in mining on his own account. Going to St. Louis 
in 1863, he opened a feed store on Ninth street, and while conducting this 
became interested in the far west, to which he came in February, 1868, by way 
of Panama. 

Upon coming to California, Mr. Smith engaged in mining in Strawberry 
Valley for a few months, then, in June, 1868, came to Vallejo, which has been 
his home ever since. His first business venture was a shoe factory in Vallejo, 
in which he employed forty people, but owing to labor troubles he was later 
forced to close out the business. In 1878 he established the first sewing 
machine business in the city, to which, in 1883, he added the first stock of 
pianos ever brought within the city limits. Success rewarded his efforts from 
the start, and for years he was agent for the Sherman and Clay pianos. Since 
1906, however, he has added other makes of pianos, including the Star, Lyon 
& Healy, Weaver, Adam Schaaf, Fisher, Weber and others, as well as a full 
line of other musical instruments, including imported violins from Germany, 
and the Edison, Victor and Columbian phonographs. He also carries all of 
the leading makes of sewing machines. His piano house is located at No. 329 
Georgia street. 

For the past thirty years Mr. Smith has been known as one of the most 
extensive breeders of standard-bred horses in Solano county, although pri- 
marily he went into the business purely for pleasure. His horses have appeared 
on nearly all the tracks of the state, and he won the Occident stakes twice at 
the state fair at Sacramento, and also won the Stanford stakes. Professor 
Heald, with a record of 2:09^ was one of his fastest horses, and he sold 
Vallejo Girl, with a record of 2:10)4, for $2,500. Vallejo Boy won the 2:20 
trot at Salinas, later made a record of 2 :15, and was finally sold to J. S. Borden. 
Other horses which Mr. Smith owned were Columbus S. and George Wash- 
ington, the latter being the best race horse of his day in California. Mr. Smith 
is quarter owner in and president of the Solano Agricultural Association that 



244 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

owns the trotting park at Vallejo, and is also a large owner of business prop- 
erty in Vallejo. Fraternally, he is connected with the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. In 1868, in Sacramento, 
Mr. Smith was married to Mary Cunningham, and of the ten children born 
of this marriage six are living, as follows : James A., Joseph G., Thomas F., 
Rose, Theresa (the wife of Boyd Burns, of Vallejo) and Clara, the latter the 
wife of John Clark of the same city. Thomas F. is in charge of the store, and 
the other two sons are employed in the Mare Island navy yard. In August, 
1911, Mr. Smith was bereaved by the death of his wife, her loss not alone 
being felt by her immediate family, but by the whole community, all loving 
her for her kindly traits and amiable disposition. 



ST. ALPHONSUS TURIBIUS' CHURCH. 

The city of Suisun numbers among her ennobling influences the church 
of which Rev. William Cleary is the beloved pastor, St. Alphonsus Turibius, 
the duties of which he assumed in 1911. The history of the parish dates back 
to the early '60s, and is one of the pioneer parishes of the Archdiocese of San 
Francisco. From the records it is ascertained that Rev. L. Deyaert was the 
first pastor, his ministry extending from 1864 to 1866. during which time he 
erected the first church. His successor was Rev. L. A. Augey, who was the 
first resident pastor in Suisun, and it was he who built the present parish 
church, dedicated November 8, 1868, by the late Most Rev. Joseph Sadoc Ale- 
many. O. P., Archbishop of San Francisco. Returning to his native home in 
France in 1872, Father Augey was succeeded in that year by the late Rev. 
Michael McNaboe, the memory of whose long and faithful work in behalf of 
the parish still remains fresh in the minds of old parishioners. Besides the 
present parish of Suisun, his territory also embraced Elmira, now in the parish 
of Dixon, and Rio Vista, now an independent parish, twenty-five miles away. 
In his duties as pastor Father McNaboe was assisted for a time by his brother, 
Rev. Thomas McNaboe, the present pastor of the Visitation Church, San 
Francisco. In 1885 Father McNaboe left Suisun to take charge of the parish 
of Alameda, and there he died in 1892. Father McNaboe's successor was Rev. 
Thomas Phillips, who was followed in 1889 by Rev. John Leahy, the latter 
being compelled to retire in 1896 on account of failing health. 

No account of the history of St. Alphonsus' parish would be complete 
without mention of two pastors by the name of McKinnon, the first of whom, 
William D. McKinnon, the distinguished chaplain of the California regiment 
in the Philippine Islands, was the successor of Father Leahy. Filled with a 
burning love for souls and for the salvation of his fellow-man, he worked with 
a zeal that knew no bounds, and the good which he accomplished can never 
be computed. During his short pastorate he built the fine and commodious 
residence attached to the church. His death was a sad blow not alone to his 
parishioners, but throughout the state among those who had come under his 
influence. Father William D. McKinnon was succeeded by his brother, Rev. 
B. J. McKinnon, the present pastor of St. Augustine's Church, Oakland. 

The next pastor of St. Alphonsus' Church was Rev. William P. Quill, who 
assumed charge of the parish in 1900, and owing to ill health was obliged to 
resign his duties two years later. He died at St. Agnes' Church. San Fran- 
cisco, in 1904. His successor in Suisun was Rev. Patrick J. Quinn, whose 
pastorate is notable in that he succeeded in clearing a heavy debt under which 
the church had labored for many years. He also made many improvements 
in the church property and also in the Catholic cemetery at Fairfield. From 
Dixon Rev. Francis Garvey came to Suisun to assume the duties laid down 
by Father Quinn. Credit for the completion of St. Alphonsus' Church, as it 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 245 

is known today, is given to Father Garvey, who thoroughly renovated the 
edifice, laying a new floor, frescoing the walls and improving the altars and 
sanctuary. New pews and the beautiful stained-glass windows and stations 
of the cross were further improvements made, besides which he installed the 
present heating and lighting systems, all of which combine to make St. Al- 
phonsus' Church one of the best appointed churches in the Archdiocese of 
San Francisco. Father Garvey was transferred to St. Leander's Church, San 
Leandro, in June, 1911, at which time he was succeeded by the present effi- 
cient pastor, Rev. William Cleary. 

Born December 1, 1873, in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Father Cleary in 
early life manifested a vocation for the ecclesiastical state. In due time he 
entered St. Kieran's College, Kilkenny, to pursue those studies which would 
fit him for the priesthood. He was ordained in Kilkenny on Pentecost Sun- 
day, May 18, 1902, by the Most Rev. Abraham Brownrigg, D. D., Lord Bishop 
of Ossory, for the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Soon after his ordination he 
came to San Francisco, where he was appointed by His Grace, the Most Rev. 
P. W. Riordan, as assistant pastor of St. Francis' Church on Vallejo street. 
He was identified with that parish up to the time of the earthquake and fire 
of April 18. 1906, after which he was appointed assistant pastor of the Sacred 
Heart Church, Fell and Fillmore streets, San Francisco. He was transferred 
July 1, 1911, to his present charge as pastor of St. Alphonsus' Church, Suisun. 
Father Cleary realizes his duties as pastor of the congregation over which he 
has been placed, and he has no ambition paramount to that which will make 
his labors therein merit the approval of the Great Father of all. 



HENRY BASCOMB CLAYTON. 

Were no other assurance of the splendid fruit-raising possibilities of 
Solano county noticeable, the ranch of Henry B. Clayton would seem to guar- 
antee success to the seeker after horticultural honors. More than fifty-seven 
years ago the father of Mr. Clayton purchased property in the Suisun valley 
and set out fruit trees, some of which are still in bearing condition. Since 
the death of the original owner the reputation of the ranch has been faithfully 
maintained by his heirs, and by common consent it is conceded that the Clay- 
ton ranch near Suisun is one of the representative fruit-raising properties of 
Solano county. 

The history of the Clayton family was for many generations associated 
with the south, and the grandparents were living in Logan county, Ky., at 
the time of the birth of their son, David Jones Clayton, January 30, 1812. 
When he was fourteen years of age his parents removed to Simpson county, 
that state, subsequently going to Jackson county, Mo., and it was in the latter 
county that the father, in March, 1848, was married to Rebecca Jane Shaw, 
also of southern birth and parentage. Leaving his wife in Missouri, Mr. 
Clayton came to California in 1852. After mining and prospecting for a time, 
he decided to bring his family to California and make it his future home. He 
had come to the west across the plains, but the return journey was made by 
water, and after selling off all of his holdings in the east, he came back with 
his wife and children across the plains with ox teams and cattle. Instead of 
continuing the occupation which had formerly engaged his attention, he came 
direct to Solano county and purchased land with the idea of tilling the soil, 
and time proved that his choice of location as well as occupation was well 
made. With the proceeds of one crop, he purchased in 1854 one hundred 
and twenty-two acres of the ranch which afterwards was added to until it 
comprised five hundred and twenty-seven acres, seven and a half miles north- 
west of Suisun. On this ranch he lived and labored throughout his active 



246 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

years, and here his death occurred in 1897. The mother had passed away 
nine years before, in October, 1888. 

Five children were originally comprised in the parental family, but two 
are deceased, Mary B. and Martha S. ; those living, all sons, being James D., 
Henry B. and William L. Henry B. Clayton was born on the old homestead 
in Solano county on Christmas day of 1855, and up to the age of seventeen 
years he was a pupil in the public school in the Suisun valley. But for the 
fact that his father needed his services on the ranch he might have continued 
in school longer, but he laid aside his wishes in the matter and dutifully 
shared the responsibilities of the ranch. This arrangement continued for a 
number of years, or until 1882, when the other brothers assumed more of the 
responsibilities of the ranch and in so doing made it possible for Henry B. 
to satisfy a desire to visit other parts of the state. Going to Los Angeles 
county in that year, among other places he investigated conditions in Los 
Angeles and was so favorably impressed with its outlook that he purchased 
property on San Pedro street that has since become very valuable. After a 
stay of a year in Southern California he came back to the Suisun valley and 
located on the portion of the old homestead ranch that has been the scene of 
his efforts ever since. A specialty is made of fruit, prunes being the principal 
product of the ranch, and throughout the county no finer grade of this fruit 
can be found than is raised by Mr. Clayton on his fifty-two acre ranch. He 
improved the place with a residence in 1887 and has set out the orchards of 
prunes, peaches, pears and apricots. 

In November, 1886, Mr. Clayton was married to Miss Isabella Best, a 
native of Nevada, and the only child of this union, Mary Beatrice, was born 
on the anniversary of Admission day, September 9, 1897. She is now a pupil 
in the Suisun public school. Politically Mr. Clayton is a staunch Democrat, 
and he has served as school trustee and school director. 



ASHER SPERRY. 

A native of Ohio, Asher Sperr)' was born in Lawrence county. February 
10, 1842, and spent the first nineteen years of his life in that county. In 1861 
he enlisted in the service of his country, joining Company H. Sixth Ohio 
Cavalry, and during the course of his service he participated in ninety-eight 
engagements, among the most important of which were Shenandoah, Stras- 
burg, Woodstock, Jackson, Newmarket, Harrisburg and Gettysburg. He was 
honorably discharged at Petersburg, June 27, 1865. 

After the close of the war Mr. Sperry continued in Ohio practicing veter- 
inarv suroerv until 1876, when he came to California. On land which he 
leased near Sacramento he lived for three or four years, when he came to 
Elmira. Solano county, and for the past thirty-two years has been actively 
connected with the development and advancement of this fertile section of the 
state. For years he has followed the profession of veterinary surgeon and has 
become well known on account of his splendid success. 

Before leaving Ohio for the west Mr. Sperry was married to Temperance 
C. Wells, and to this union ten children were born, one of whom is deceased. 
Lena, Mrs. Ed AVells, resides in San Francisco; Samantha, Mrs. D. Turner, 
resides in Richmond; Mary, Mrs. Bert Duffield, lives in Dixon, as does also 
Eliza, Mrs. Henry Deprey; Clara is at home; James resides in Stockton; Eva, 
Mrs. Fitzpatrick, is a resident of Santa Rosa; Charles lives in Oakland, and 
Benjamin is at home. Politically Mr. Sperry is a Republican, and fraternally 
he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Odd P'ellows. The 
family suffered a deep bereavement in the death of Mrs. Sperry in 1906. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 249 

HON. ROBERT CORLETT. 

Not alone within the confines of Napa county, but throughout various 
other portions of California as well, Mr. Corlett has acquired a commercial 
and political standing eminently merited by his talents and by his unflagging 
devotion to patriotic duties. A man of strong convictions concerning right 
and duty, he stands firmly for those principles which he believes to be con- 
ducive to improved civic and social conditions. As a business man he is honest 
and displays an unflinching integrity in the smallest details. As a public 
official he has devoted himself to the welfare of the county and has labored 
with excellent success to inaugurate and foster enterprises for its upbuilding. 
As a friend he is ever ready with willing heart and generous hand to help in 
time of need and he has manifested those attractive traits of character that 
win well-wishers. Nature endowed him with admirable qualities and these 
have been developed by education and by contact with the world, so that he 
is well-rounded in all the elements forming an ideal manhood. 

Many generations of the Corlett family lived and labored in England 
and there were born and reared William P. and Jane (Callister) Corlett, who 
during their married life established a home on the Isle of Man off the 
English coast. At that island home occurred the birth of Robert Corlett, 
December 31, 1858, and there too his mother passed away while he was yet 
a small lad. The father, accompanied by the family, set sail for America in 
1873, and proceeded from New York to Chicago, thence coming to California 
and settling at Napa during 1875. Shortly after his arrival he embarked in 
the planing-mill business and continued the same successfully until his retire- 
ment, when he was succeeded by his sons, the present proprietors of the 
milling enterprise. 

At the time of the emigration from Great Britain and the arrival in the 
new world Robert Corlett was a youth of some fifteen years, fairly well 
educated, energetic and anxious to earn a livelihood by honest endeavors. 
From the first he was connected with his father as an employe in the mill 
and thus gained a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of the manufacture 
of lumber. Upon the retirement of the father he and his brother entered into 
partnership relations as owners of the mill and conducted the same with 
unerring sagacity until Robert retired from the business, selling to his brother, 
March 1, 1911. Their thorough knowledge of the business in its various 
departments enabled them to manage it with profit to themselves and with 
satisfaction to their customers. Under their oversight the plant developed 
into the largest concern of its kind in Napa county. 

The marriage of Robert Corlett was solemnized August 19, 1885, and 
united him with Miss Elizabeth Frances Derry, a daughter of Col. Thomas 
Derry, of the Fifth Wisconsin Cavalry. Born of the union are three children, 
Robert Derry, Benjamin C. and Frances E. Fraternally, Mr. Corlett belongs 
to the local lodges of Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Benevo- 
lent Protective Order of Elks. In political circles he has been prominent 
and influential. For twelve years he served as secretary of the Republican 
county central committee of Napa county, but resigned in 1901 upon his 
election to represent the district in the senate of California, where he served 
in the sessions of 1901 and 1903. Chief among his efforts as senator were 
the appropriations secured for the Napa state asylum and also for the Vet- 
erans' Home at Yountville. Largely to him is due the securing of the last 
appropriation of $50,000 for the new hospital at the Home. Other legislative 
measures received his support when he was convinced of their importance 
to certain communities or to the state at large. At this writing he represents 
Napa county as a member of the Republican state central committee, besides 
which since the fall of 1906 he has served as county assessor, having been 

14 



250 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

re-elected to the position in 1910 at the expiration of four years of efficient 
service in that responsible position. In whatever relation of life or duty he 
is found, whether in the service of the state, or in political circles, in business 
or in social affairs, he has proved to be the same honorable and honored 
gentleman, well worthy of the high regard in which he is held. 



THE SAWYER TANNING COMPANY. 

Any outline of the commercial history and leading enterprises of Napa 
would be incomplete were no mention made of The Sawyer Tanning Com- 
pany, a concern that enjoys the distinction" of being third in size among similar 
industries throughout the entire state of California. The buildings utilized 
and owned by the company cover the greater part of three city blocks, and the 
entire plant takes up approximately four acres of ground. A long and success- 
ful history justified the erection, in 1907, of commodious new buildings to 
house the activities of the concern. Each building is modern in design and 
equipment and represents in its plan the fruit of years of experience. The 
tannery and beam house comprise a structure five hundred feet long and 
seventy feet wide, part four stories high, and the balance two stories. The 
equipment of the tannery consists of the latest machines and devices for doing 
work rapidly and economically. The power plant is made up of steam boilers, 
Corliss engine and great electric generators, thus distributing the power elec- 
trically over the entire plant. A complete automatic sprinkler system is in- 
stalled in each building for protection against fire. It is the ambition of the 
officers to operate a plant unsurpassed for the quality of its output and ranking 
among the first in the amount of its sales. The prosperity of the institution 
is shared by the community in which it is located and the people of Napa 
naturally manifest considerable pride in the success of the enterprise. 

The beginning of the business dates back as far as December, 1.869, when 
French A. Sawyer came from New Hampshire to Napa and began buying 
sheep and other pelts. Probably he had no thought of the wonderful expan- 
sion that was to follow his initiatory efforts as a tanner, but certain it is that 
the business prospered from the first and eventually it became an institution 
of vast importance and a great manufacturing enterprise. During February 
of 1871 Mr. Sawyer was joined by his father, Benjamin F.. and the firm was 
styled B. F. Sawyer & Co. In June of the same year they were fortunate in 
securing the services of Emanuel Manasse, who was a skilled tanner from 
Germany, and invented the process for making Napa patent leather. This 
method of tanning was entirely new and original with him and was of such 
value that the company had it patented. 

Another valuable accession to the firm was Abram W. Norton, who be- 
came connected with the company April 1, 1872, and, as an expert mechanic, 
proved of great value along that line of the industry. S. E. Holden, a New 
England woolen mill man, joined the firm in 1875 as bookkeeper and office 
man, and continued to be prominent in the commercial and civic activities of 
Napa until his death in December of 1900. B. F. Sawyer had passed away in 
1879 and in April, 1880, the company was reorganized by the admission of 
Emanuel Manasse and Samuel E. Holden into partnership, and the company 
was then composed of F. A. Sawyer, A. W. Norton, Emanuel Manasse and 
Samuel E. Holden, still doing business as B. F. Sawyer & Co. In September 
of 1886 The Sawyer Tanning Company was incorporated with F. A. Sawyer, 
A. W. Norton, Emanuel Manasse and S. E. Holden as officers and partners, 
the last-named being the president and L. J. Norton secretary of the organiza- 
tion. A. W. Norton died in 1891, Emanuel Manasse in 1899, S. E. Holden in 
1900 and F. A. Sawyer in January, 1901. This brought the younger men of 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 251 

the concern to the front, and the following were chosen as officers of the cor- 
poration : L. J. Norton, president; H. J. Manasse and J. D. Jamison, vice- 
presidents; E. G. Manasse, treasurer, and H. H. Sawyer, secretary. 

The fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the business was cele- 
brated with a banquet in a new building erected by the company. The attend- 
ance consisted of officers and employes, as well as various invited guests. 
Telegrams were read from concerns throughout the United States tendering 
congratulations on the occasion. The wages of employes were raised in com- 
memoration of the anniversary. Officers and men participated in the toasts 
and a festive spirit prevailed. The popularity of the company is indicated by 
the length of service of some of its employes. It is also worthy of note that 
the company has never been either plaintiff or defendant in a law suit during 
the long history of the institution. From the original corps of three workmen 
the force has increased until employment is furnished to about one hundred, 
and the most harmonious spirit prevails between employes and officers. 

This company manufactures from cow hides, horse hides, goat and sheep 
skins, gathered from the states of California, Nevada and Oregon, leather for 
gloves', shoes (both upper and sole), sporting goods and automobile tires. 
All of this is made by' special processes developed and adapted by this concern 
from what is generally known as the chrome process. In connection with the 
chrome process Emanuel Manasse originated a leather now widely known as 
Nap-a-tan. It is a waterproof shoe leather which outwears any other shoe 
leather and does not harden from exposure. These products are marketed 
over the entire United States and Canada and exported to the Orient. It is an 
interesting tribute to the name of Napa leather that today numerous tanners 
all over Europe and America are advertising their products as Napa leather, 
and the name is well known to practically every manufacturer and producer of 
leather over the world. 



EUGENE LANGDON DEARBORN. 

The identification of the Dearborn family with the United States dates 
back to an early period in the history of this country, the records stating that 
the establisher of the name came in the historic Mayflower. The descendant 
of this immigrant and the grandfather of the gentleman whose name appears 
above, John Dearborn, was born on the rock-bound coast of Maine, whither 
the family had drifted from Massachusetts, and in his native state he carried 
on a lumber business until his death. He was a man of considerable force 
and ability and was a prominent citizen in the community in which his life 
was passed. The sturdy qualities of his Colonial ancestors lost nothing in 
transmission to Henry Dearborn, who was born in Bangor, Me., and who 
continued to make his home in his birthplace until attaining mature years. 
Until reaching his majority he remained at home and faithfully did his duty 
by his parents, but at the age of twenty-one he started out to carve his fortune 
in the far west. From Maine he came to California on one of the first trains 
to cross the continent, a journey of three weeks terminating in San Francisco. 
Finding good opportunities awaiting him he engaged in the lumber business 
at different points in a radius of two hundred miles from the city with such 
success that he was enabled to retire from business a number of years ago. 
He now makes his home in Pescadero, San Mateo county. Sharing in the 
comforts which this prosperity has made possible, is his wife, who before her 
marriage was Miss Lillie E. Hobbs, who like himself was born in Maine. Four 
children were born to this worthy couple, as follows : Ethel, Mrs. James N. 
Watson, of Fairfield ; Eugene L. ; Harry, of Oakland ; and Leslie, of San Fran- 
cisco. 

Next to the oldest of the children in the parental family, Eugene Langdon 



252 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Dearborn was born in San Francisco, November 20, 1881, and is therefore a 
native son of the state. When he was a child of six months the home of the 
family was transferred from the metropolis to Pescadero, where he attended 
the public schools, an education which was later supplemented by a course 
in the San Francisco Business College. After his graduation in 1904 he re- 
turned to Pescadero and for three years was engaged as a clerk and book- 
keeper in a general merchandise establishment. Coming to Fairfield in Sep- 
tember, 1907, he became associated with James N. Watson in the abstract 
business. Today the Solano County Abstract Company is credited with doing 
the largest business in the county, and, in fact, is the pioneer abstract company 
in the county. 

In Fairfield, May 11, 1910, Mr. Dearborn was married to Miss Ruth Fix, 
who was born in Bird's Landing, Cal., the daughter of James and Bessie 
(Lambie) Fix, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Iowa. Mrs. 
Fix came to California across the plains with her parents when she was a 
young child. Mrs. Dearborn received splendid educational advantages, sup- 
plementing a common school education by a high school course and a course 
in the University of the Pacific at San Jose. One son, Robert, has been born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Dearborn. Politically Mr. Dearborn is a Republican, and 
fraternally he is a member of Pescadero Lodge No. 226, I. O. O. F., of which 
he is past grand ; is a member of Hope Encampment, of Redwood City, and 
both himself and wife are identified with the affiliated order of the Rebekahs 
at Suisun. 



THOMAS J. BREEN. 

A well-known citizen of Solano county is Thomas J. Breen, who prior to 
locating here had served as sheriff of Story county, Nev., for two terms, and 
was also chief of police of Virginia City, Nev., for the same length of time. 
A native of New York state, he was born in 1843, and until he was seventeen 
years old remained in his native state. He then came to California via the 
Isthmus and located in San Francisco. For three years he worked as a farm 
hand and later removed to Los Angeles, where he purchased land. At one 
time he owned two hundred and sixty-five acres of land which laid about half 
way between the county court house and the old race track and is now all 
built up with residences and business houses. On this property he engaged 
in farming, the city then having but four thousand inhabitants and only fifteen 
hundred of them were Americans. Leaving Los Angeles he went to the mines 
and worked on the Comstock Lode, at Virginia City, Nev., and for the follow- 
ing thirty-five years his activities were connected with the mines. His mining 
exneriences included operations in Montana, Colorado, California. Nevada, and 
Alaska. 

After a four-year stay in San Francisco, Mr. Breen went to Alaska and 
for six years remained within sixteen hundred miles of the north pole. On 
leaving Alaska he returned to Suisun, but later again located in Nevada, 
engaging in mining and the hotel business in Tonopah for nine years. While 
in Alaska, for three years he slept in a tent, the thermometer registering fifty 
to sixty degrees below zero. The method of providing shelter was to throw 
water over the tent at the beginning of winter, while inside of this covering of 
solid ice was placed a second tent to keep out moisture and to hold the heat. 

Five years ago Mr. Breen bought eight hundred and forty acres of good 
land in Solano county which he leases for a stock ranch. In addition to this 
he also has a nice property in Suisun. In 1894 he was married to Miss Jose- 
phine Casey, a native of Solano county, whose father, James Casey, settled 
here in 1849. To this union one daughter was born, Edna Lucile, born 1897 in 
San Francisco, and is at present attending. Armijo high school in Fairfield. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 255 

Mr. Breen passed through several thrilling experiences, having been in three 
or four mine explosions, but has come out unscathed on every occasion. 
Among his old and close friends he numbers the Fairs and the Mackays, having 
had their mining experiences together in the old Comstock. 

Mr. Breen is a man who believes in doing all he can to build up the 
county in which he lives and is ever ready to give of his time and means to 
this end. Although at one time belonging to several fraternal orders, he is 
not a member of any at present. It is impossible to do full justice to his work 
and all that he has accomplished for his fellowmen and for himself in the 
scope of a work of this character. The best we can do is to state that he has 
always been kindly disposed and has ever been ready to help many in a 
way that others know nothing of, and many is the time he has placed himself 
at a disadvantage physically and financially by so doing, but he is glad that he 
did it and lived up to the motto of the Golden Rule. More than this none 
can do. 



MICHAEL KORAN. 

Twenty-two years ago Mr. Horan embarked in his present line of business 
in Vallejo, and has made a distinct success of the enterprise. As a purveyor 
of coal, wood and grain during this time he has built up a splendid business, 
the success of which has been due to his unvarying rule of dealing fairly and 
squarely with all. His life began in County Kerry, Ireland, in September, 
1845, and he remained there until he was nearly twenty-five years of age. 
However, in 1869 he came to California by the Panama route, landing in San 
Francisco after an interesting voyage. 

From the metropolis Mr. Horan came to Vallejo, and as he was without 
friends and unfamiliar with conditions in his now surroundings, he considered 
himself fortunate to find employment as a ranch hand. This experience 
developed an ability which as yet had scarcely been recognized owing to lack 
of opportunity to exercise it, namely, artistic gardening. His ability along 
this line was the means of his being made head gardener at the pleasure and 
health resort known as the White Sulphur Springs, a position which he filled 
efficiently for five years. The location of the resort among the Hunter hills 
was ideal and offered possibilities for beautification that Mr. Horan recognized 
and used to the best advantage, bringing the place up to a fine state of culti- 
vation. From there he went to the Pine Farm ranch, containing fifteen 
hundred acres, and as superintendent of this property for nine years he 
wrought a transformation that was truly marvelous. When he assumed 
charge of the property the planting of fruits and vines in this part of the 
county was considered foolhardy by the less venturesome, but he planned 
and set out orchards and vineyards that are today among the finest to be 
seen in Solano county. Furthermore, he developed water on the property, 
this proving the climax in making the venture a success. The company for 
which he was superintendent later sold the property and Mr. Horan then 
located in Vallejo, where he established the coal, wood and grain business 
of which he was the proprietor for many years. A number of years ago he 
resigned the active management of the business in favor of his children, and 
recently the business has been incorporated as The Horan Company, of which 
he is president, his son, William F., vice-president, and his daughter, Kath- 
erine, secretary and treasurer. Besides the headquarters and main office 
located at No. 717 Marin street, there are large warehouses on Jercy street, 
with a switch from the Southern Pacific Railroad. The business has had a 
steady growth, until it is now the largest of the kind in Solano county. Mr. 
Horan has erected a number of substantial buildings in Vallejo, including his 
own store building, two stores adjoining on the corner of Capital and Marin 



256 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

streets, besides residence property, and he has a pleasant home at No. 520 
Capital street. 

The marriage of Mr. Horan in 1877 united him with Miss Mary Lawlor, 
who like himself is a native of Ireland, and their union has resulted in the 
birth of six children, as follows : William F., Daniel L., Katherine, Anna, 
Lillian and Thomas J. Mr. Horan is an excellent example of the self-made 
man and the rising generation may well emulate his perseverance and determi- 
nation to make the most of the conditions by which he is surrounded and turn 
them to his own account. 



HUGH ALEXANDER CRAWFORD. 

Hugh A. Crawford of Napa, Cal., was born in January, 1844, a son of 
Alexander L. and Mary (List) Crawford — the former was born in Mont- 
gomery county, Pa., of Scotch-Irish descent, and the latter was born in Ger- 
many and was brought to Pennsylvania by her parents when a child. Alex- 
ander L. Crawford's history is a part of the history of the iron industry of 
Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. His father 
owned extensive rock quarries and lime kilns in Montgomery county, Pa., but 
after his death the son did not like that method of earning a livelihood and 
he began farming, which he soon found too slow, and in 1840, having heard 
that a rolling mill at Newcastle was to be sold at public auction, he rode across 
the mountains, arriving there the day of the sale. Although he knew nothing 
about the business and this being probably the first mill of its kind he had ever 
seen, nothing loth, he bid it in and started it running and made a success of the 
enterprise, clearing enough in the first year to pay for it. He owned and 
operated a blast furnace at New Wilmington, Pa., of which the father of our 
late President William McKinley was the manager. He also carried his 
efforts into other states, establishing and controlling blast furnaces, iron mines 
and railroads. He built the first railroad into Newcastle, the Newcastle & 
Beaver Valley Railroad. In this enterprise he guaranteed his associates ten 
per cent, on their stock, two years after the completion of the road. By those 
of authority on such matters in this later day it is said to be the best money 
earner in the United States for its number of miles (fifteen). It was he who 
made the first shipment of Lake Superior iron ore, which he transported 
around the falls of Sault Ste. Marie, loading it on another vessel by which its 
destination was reached. One-half of this ore was sent to his rolling mills at 
Newcastle, Pa., and the other to a Mr. Wick at Youngstown, Ohio. The 
quantity was comparatively small, between ten and twenty tons ; however, he 
was the pioneer in the enterprise that has since assumed very large propor- 
tions. This shipment was made in 1850. The shipments at this time amount 
to about 30,000,000 tons annually. He started in life a poor boy and had to 
make his own way in the world, but the qualities of success were born in him. 
His quick recognition of business opportunities was one of the salient facts in 
his success. Until the time of his death April 1, 1890, he was actively engaged 
in the management of many of his vast enterprises and was a conspicuous and 
striking example of that great factor in American life, the self-made man. He 
was a man of rugged honesty, and many traits of his character were made 
forcibly apparent. He amassed a fortune by his own legitimate efforts, and 
it was used in the employment of labor, in developing and benefiting the 
country. 

Hugh A. Crawford received his early education in the public schools of 
Newcastle, continuing his studies until seventeen years of age. As a lad he 
had as a playmate the late president William McKinley, whose father was 
manager of the blast furnace at New Wilmington. Arriving at the age of 
seventeen he was given his choice of any profession he desired, but his natural 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 257 

bent was towards a business career and his decision was put into immediate 
practice. His first position was as weigher of coal and shipping clerk for a 
Newcastle iron company. He was later offered a better position with the 
company, but before accepting, he decided to further perfect himself for his 
chosen calling and took a course of study at Pittsburg in the Iron City College. 
At the age of twenty-one he accepted the management of a coal mine in Mer- 
cer county, Pa., having become a fourth owner in the property. A few months 
later he showed figures to the other owners and persuaded them to spend 
more money to take out more coal and thus increase their capacity and equip- 
ment. He then directed his energies to this end and expended about $30,000 
in bettering the conditions and developing the property. He put in about 
fifteen hours a day and inside of nine years he had developed the business to 
such an extent that it turned all the invested money back into the treasury 
with additional profits. 

In 1874 with his father he became associated with Col. Tom A. Scott, 
William L. Scott and J. M. McCullough, famous railroad and mine operators, 
and was made general manager of the Missouri Iron Company, with a capital 
of $1,000,000, and was also made vice-president and purchasing agent of the 
Salem & Little Rock Railroad. In 1883 he was made president of the above 
iron company and soon afterwards was elected president of the Sligo Furnace 
Company, organized in 1880. He was also president of the Champion Land 
& Lumber Company, operating in Missouri land and lumber, and vice-presi- 
dent of the Knoxville & Nashville Railroad of Tennessee. He was for some 
years the first vice-president of the Continental National Bank of St. Louis, 
having been a director since 1879, when it was a state bank, and during his 
connection of twenty-one years with the bank it grew from a bank of $100,000 
capitalization with $400,000 deposits to a capitalization of $1,000,000 with 
deposits of over $12,000,000. He was a director of the Vigo Iron Company 
and the Wabash Iron Company of Terre Haute, Ind., the Gadsden Iron Com- 
pany of Alabama, the Crawford Coal Company of Indiana, and the Union 
Trust Company of St. Louis. He was also for a time president of the Craw- 
ford Coal & Iron Company of Tennessee. 

Having made several trips to California, the first in 1871, he had become 
greatly impressed with its climate and natural conditions and believed it 
offered an ideal place for a home. Accordingly in 1901 he decided to take up 
his home here after having retired from active business, disposing of his 
interests at various times and resigning from all official connection with the 
various companies with which he was connected. He located in Napa, Cal., 
where he has a palatial home. He is the author of a pamphlet on the tariff 
which was written just before President Harrison's election, which attracted 
national attention, showing deep research and investigation and a thorough 
knowledge of the trade relations and conditions in America. He was one of 
the organizers and is a director of the First National Bank of Napa. 

Mr. Crawford was first married in St. Louis, Mo., in 1878 to Mrs. Judith 
H. Evans, a native of England, who was his able helpmate until her death in 
January, 1908. She was a woman of rare attainments and was much loved 
and esteemed for her many virtues. In March, 1909, he was again married in 
California, his present wife being Miss Flora E. Davis of Boston, Mass., a 
lady of culture and refinement, who presides with grace over the magnificent 
home her husband has occupied since his residence in the Golden State. 

Mr. Crawford is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and 
his executive ability and excellent management brought to the concerns with 
which he was connected a large degree of success. The safe and conservative 
yet progressive policy which he always inaugurated commended itself to the 
judgment of all and secured to the companies a patronage that made the 
volume of trade transacted of great importance and magnitude. He was 




E. P. HEALD 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 261 

who was born in La Grange, Mo., April 29, 1886. He was educated in the 
Vacaville high schools and is now associated with his father on his ranch. 

Hon. Horace P. Tate made his first speech in September, 1883, to a jury. 
He has labored under a slight difficulty and disadvantage in jury work, being 
afflicted with deafness, which, though not very noticeable, makes it difficult 
for him to do this work with satisfaction to himself. His mind is very log- 
ical, and he is looked upon as being pre-eminently sincere and a man of 
influence. In 1900 he removed to Solano county, and now he divides his time 
between his law and collecting office in Vacaville and his well-kept ranch. 
Mr. Tate has served as trustee on the Vacaville high school board and is a 
member of Vacaville Lodge No. 134, F. & A. M. ; Vacaville Chapter No. 81, 
R. A. M., and Vacaville Commandery No. 38, K. T., and he and his wife are 
members of the Baptist church. Thus he is living out his life of advancing 
years with a great measure of usefulness and good cheer, content to devote 
himself to the service of others in every way possible. 



EDWARD PAYSON HEALD. 

This well-known Napa county land-holder and president of Heald's Col- 
leges, was born in Lovell, Oxford county, Me., on February 5, 1843. He has 
long been prominently identified with the interests of Napa and Solano 
counties, in the fields of horticulture, viticulture and the raising of standard- 
bred horses. In these fields he has had a wide experience and today is recog- 
nized as one of the leading authorities of the state. He first became an owner 
of Napa county lands about 1870. Soon afterward he purchased the Magnolia 
farm, situated at Trubody Station, about six miles north of Napa, which was 
at that time one of the largest orchards in Napa county. A large vineyard 
was also included in this property. The raising of standard-bred horses has 
long been one of Mr. Heald's principal interests in Napa county. After selling 
Magnolia farm he purchased the Napa stock farm, consisting of seven hundred 
acres. Here were raised some of the fastest trotting and pacing horses ever 
produced in Napa county, such as Adam G., 2 :05 ; Nance O'Neil, 2 :09}4 ', 
Tom Smith, 2:13%; Charles David, 2:15, and many others. For over fifteen 
years he has been president of the Pacific Coast Trotting Horse Breeders' 
Association. While not as extensively engaged in actual breeding today as 
he was ten years ago, Mr. Heald still retains a very active interest in it. The 
Napa stock farm was disposed of by Mr. Heald, but he is still one of the 
largest land-owners in Napa county. His present holdings comprise the 
Mount George olive farm and the St. Helena stock farm. The former is situ- 
ated six miles from Napa on the Monticello road, and contains a little over 
one thousand acres. Here Mr. Heald is planting an orchard which some day 
will be a credit to Napa county and bear striking testimony to his ability as 
a practical horticulturist. St. Helena stock farm is a property of sixteen hun- 
dred acres, situated on the western spur of Howell mountain, between St. 
Helena and Calistoga. It is devoted almost exclusively to stock raising. 

Mr. Heald is the son of Abel and Mary (Stearns) Heald, coming of Ameri- 
can lineage extending in an unbroken line for two hundred and sixty years, 
being descended from John Heald, who was born in Concord, Mass., in 1635, 
and Isaac Stearns, who came to America in 1630 on the same ship with 
Governor Winthrop. James Chilton, who was one of the band of Pilgrims 
who came over on the Mayflower, is also in Mr. Heald's ancestral line. His 
great-grandfather emigrated to Maine from Massachusetts, being one of the 
early settlers of Oxford county. 

Mr Heald began his career as a commercial teacher at the Portland 
Business College in Portland, Me., where he met with great success, speedily 



262 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

becoming known beyond his state. In 1863 he came to California, and, al- 
though only in his twenty-first year, he opened a business college in San 
Francisco, the first of its kind in the western half of the continent. Heald's 
Business College soon became an important factor in the educational and 
business circles of the west. For nearly half a century it has maintained a 
place at the head of the commercial training institutions of the Pacific coast. 
Many of the most prominent and successful men of affairs in Napa county 
are graduates of Heald's Business Colleges. The practical training received 
in this way has proved a stepping stone to the success of many of the men 
now playing important roles in the commercial and political life of the county 
today. 

Today the Heald system includes flourishing business colleges in San 
Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Fresno, Santa Cruz, Chico, Riverside, and Long 
Beach, California ; and Reno, Nevada, and a splendid engineering school at 
San Francisco. 

Mr. Heald was a pioneer in demonstrating that woman has an important 
sphere in the business world, and through the opportunities he offered her to 
gain a practical business training, played a prominent part in paving the way 
for her to take her present place in the world of affairs. 

Introducing the study of the various branches of engineering by practical 
methods similar to those employed in his commercial work was another edu- 
cational advance fostered by him. As the dean of the commercial educators 
of California, Mr. Heald is widely held in the great esteem his sterling char- 
acter and splendid achievements so well deserve. In all respects he has been 
a leader in modern education. 

Mr. Heald has never mingled in the politics of the state, but his public 
spirit has been abundantly shown by his activity in connection with many 
civic and philanthropic organizations. He has for many years been one of 
the trustees of the Mechanics' Institute of San Francisco, and he also served 
for a long time as a director of the Manufacturers' and Producers' Association 
of San Francisco. He was long a director of the San Francisco Society for 
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr. Heald is a Mason, having attained 
a high standing in both York and Scottish Rites. 

Mr. Heald married, in 1892, Mrs. Rowena Jacott, nee Jones. He has no 
children. He resides at No. 2630 Telegraph avenue, Oakland, but divides his 
time between the pursuits of his horticultural interests at his Napa county 
farm and the various Heald Colleges, all of which are managed under his 
personal supervision. 









FRANK A. STEIGER. 

To the man who possesses not only patience and determination, but the 
power of initiative as well, the world offers countless opportunities for the 
expression of his ability. Distinctly of this type is Mr. Steiger, a citizen of 
Vacaville, Solano county, Cal., whose birth occurred in San Francisco, Sep- 
tember 29, 1864. Upon completion of his studies in the public schools of San 
Francisco he took up the machinists' trade. This vocation, however, failed 
to appeal to him, whereupon he entered the University of Michigan and com- 
pleted the civil engineer's course. Returning to Vacaville he immediately 
began practicing his profession in Solano county. 

Mr. Steiger's ability and popularity among his fellows is amply attested 
by their choice of him to fill for twelve years the position of surveyor of 
Solano county, and also the important offices of town engineer of Vacaville 
and city engineer of Benicia, which latter positions he occupies at present. 

July 12, 1892, Mr. Steiger was united in marriage to Miss Kate Saxton, a 
daughter of Rev. J. B. Saxton, the ceremony taking place in Vacaville. They 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 263 

have two charming daughters, Margaret and Katherine. The little family 
have many friends, who are unanimous in their opinion that nowhere may be 
found a more genuine atmosphere of good will and comfort than prevails in 
the Steiger home. Mr. Steiger is a Republican and maintains an intelligent 
interest in political developments. 



THOMAS DOSEN FAWVER. 

The life which this narartive delineates began in Westmoreland county, 
Md., in 1827, and came to an end at Yountville, Cal., April 3, 1910. Between 
these two dates is represented an era of useful activity, guided by an intelligent 
mind and aided by willing hands. The two locations indicate the westward 
tide of emigration manifested during the more than four score years covering 
Mr. Fawver's life. At the time of his birth the center of population was near 
the Atlantic coast. A few hardy pioneers had penetrated as far from civiliza- 
tion as the Mississippi river, but in a large degree the savages and the wild 
animals held undisputed sway over the untrodden and undeveloped realms of 
the west. The qualities necessary to pioneering belonged to Mr. Fawver by 
natural endowment, and hence he was eminently qualified for the task of 
aiding in the development of a new country. 

Prior to his removal to California, Mr. Fawver had considerable experi- 
ence as a pioneer in Missouri, whither he and other members of the family 
had gone when he was a youth of nineteen years. In the northern part of 
that state, not a great distance from the Mississippi river, a home was estab- 
lished in Scotland county, of which they were the first white settlers. The 
entire region was wild and in nature's condition primeval. A country more 
lonely and uninviting could scarcely be found, but the hearts of the pioneers 
were brave and their hands were strong for the tasks before them. Some of the 
forest trees were cut down and logs were hewn, with which was built a cabin 
for a home, and at last reports that primitive structure was still in an excellent 
state of preservation. Later the family erected a substantial brick residence, 
the first of its kind built in all that country. 

When news came of the discovery of gold in California there instantly 
arose in the mind of Thomas D. Fawver a determination to migrate to the 
Pacific coast, but it was not until 1850 that it was possible for him to leave his 
old home. He crossed the plains with ox teams to California, making the trip 
safely through the Indian country. The young emigrant engaged in mining at 
Hangtown on the American river and for two years experienced the alterna- 
tion of hope and discouragement incident to mining. During 1853 he returned 
to Missouri via the Panama route and settled near the old homestead. How- 
ever, recollections of the west lingered pleasantly in his mind and some years 
later he again determined to come to the coast. During 1863 he crossed the 
plains as captain of an expedition consisting of thirty-six wagons. Three 
months were spent on the road. Good fortune befell the emigrants, for not a 
life was lost either of man, woman or child, or of any animal. A stop was 
made at Salt Lake City, and there a number of Mormon women were smuggled 
into the party, being thus brought on to the coast. 

The first seven years in the state Mr. Fawver spent on the Benson farm 
at Oakville, and during that time he helped to build the Oakville school. 
Coming to Yountville in 1870, he bought a farm of ninety-seven acres and for 
many years he made a specialty of raising grapes. In a modest way he 
reaped success. The acquisition of a competency resulted from industry and 
the exercise of wise judgment. Of the greatest aid to him was his splendid 
constitution and excellent health. To lose a day's work through illness was 
an experience he never had, and he even continued to busily engage himself 



264 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

at his daily duties on the ranch until within a few days of his death. While 
he did not identify himself with politics and never gave evidence of a partisan 
spirit, he was a man of broad general information concerning public affairs 
and served his country very efficiently during a term as supervisor. By his 
marriage to Miss Fannie S. Dunn, who was born in Ohio, but removed to Mis- 
souri in a very early day, he had ten children, named as follows : Mrs. Frances 
Davis, of Napa; Florence, who married F. J. Drew of Inverness, Marin county; 
John W., of Los Angeles ; Laura, deceased ; Mary M., the wife of M. M. Stev- 
ens of Inverness; Emma, Mrs. Skillings of Berkeley; Mrs. Eastman, also of 
that city; J. Clark, of Napa; George D., deceased, and Charles, also deceased. 



BERRY SHOUSE. 

The name of Shouse is well known in Napa and Solano counties, first 
through Berry Shouse, Sr., a prominent rancher and breeder of standard-bred 
horses, and later through his son and namesake, whose accomplishments are 
akin to those of his honored father. The family at one time in its histor}' 
nourished in the south, and on a farm in Shelby county, Ky., Berry Shouse. 
Sr., was born. Afterward his parents moved to near Frankfort, Ky., where 
he was reared and educated, the family still owning the old home. Some years 
after the discovery of gold in California he was attracted to the west, making 
his way across the plains in 1852, and for a time was interested in mining. 
Like many others, however, he finally took up an occupation with which he 
was more familiar, as well as one that gave promise of more dependable re- 
turns, and in taking up farming once more he realized these expectations. 
Napa county attracted him as a suitable location in which to carry out his 
farming projects, and his choice proved a wise one, in that he ultimately be- 
came one of the most prosperous ranchers in the county. Besides owning the 
American Canon and Oak Grove ranches, he also rented two other large 
tracts, on all of which he carried on general farming and the breeding and rais- 
ing of standard horses. After many years passed in this successful and con- 
genial occupation, he gave up farming altogether and moved to Chico, where 
he resided for several years, when he took up his residence in Vallejo, residing 
there until his death in 1901. During the early days he was one of the super- 
visors of Napa county and in many other ways assisted in the upbuilding and 
well being of his community. In his wife he had a stanch ally in all of his 
undertakings. She was Miss Kate Falls before her marriage, a native of Fort 
Leavenworth, Kan., and the daughter of Col. R. J. Falls. The latter served 
in the Mexican war, being stationed at the Benicia arsenal. When the war 
closed he resigned and engaged in farming at Napa Junction, taking his family 
there in the early '50s, via Panama. On the opening of the Civil war he went 
east and enlisted and was raised to the rank of colonel. After the war he re- 
turnd to California and served nine years in the United States custom house 
in San Francisco, and subsequently was sergeant of police until he was retired 
from the force. Mrs. Shouse was reared on her father's farm at Napa Junc- 
tion, and since her husband's death has made her home with her children. 
Ten children originally comprised the parental family, as follows : Thomas 
R., of Vallejo; Mary E., Mrs. Sylvester Wilson; Alice, Mrs. Frank Denio; 
Josephine, Mrs. L. E. Wilson, all of San Francisco; Jennie, Mrs. C. C. Green- 
wood, of Vallejo ; Grace, Sarah, and John, deceased ; Berry, of this review, and 
George, of Vallejo. 

Berry Shouse, Jr., was born at Holly Oak, Napa county, May 8, 1876. 
He was educated in the public schools of Vallejo and when fifteen years of 
age apprenticed himself to learn the horseshoers' trade under one of the lead- 
ing horseshoers of California, F. M. Denio. The association of pupil and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 267 

teacher was congenial and profitable to both and was severed only by the 
death of Mr. Denio in 1904. So competent had Mr. Shouse become by this 
time that he felt able to successfully continue the business of his instructor, 
and time proved that he made no mistake in purchasing it. From the first 
his success seemed assured and he has gained a truly enviable reputation in 
the meantime, having as fine a location at No. 335 Virginia street as could be 
desired for his business. He is proud of the fact that he has shod some of the 
finest trotters and best horses in the state of California. 

As might be expected, Mr. Shouse is a lover of the horse and a number 
of fine specimens may be seen in his stable. Among them may be mentioned 
Lucky B., a three-year-old filly, her grandsire Woodnutt, with a record of 2 :2Q 
and Abe Lincoln, record 2:18, sired by Gafftopsail by Diabolo, one of the best 
bred horses in California. In Vallejo Mr. Shouse was united in marriage with 
Miss Beulah Breitenstein, a native of this county and the daughter of Jacob 
Breitenstein, one of the county's early settlers. Mr. Shouse is a member of 
two organizations, the U. P. E. C, of Vallejo, and the Alameda Driving Club 
of Oakland. 



JAMES B. NEWMAN. 

In Essex, England, James B. Newman was born September 21, 1851, a 
son of John Newman, who was also a native of that same section. It was in 
the schools of his native place that James B. received his early education, 
and as a lad he chose the trade of stonecutter and sculptor, serving a regular 
apprenticeship, with the result that when he came to this country he was 
able to secure a position. In 1872 he arrived in Chicago, 111. One year later 
he came to the Pacific coast and in San Francisco secured employment with 
Lasner & Sherron. So well did he display his skill in his particular line that 
he was recommended to assist Mr. Donnelly in the construction of the monu- 
mental work in Tulocay Cemetery in Napa. His work was eminently satis- 
factory and gave him such a reputation for ability that he, with Mr. Wing and 
Mr. Rogers, took a contract from Mr. Corcoran to cut stone for the windows 
of the Napa State Asylum, and later worked on the stone carving in the 
building. In 1875, a company of men consisting of himself, J. Penny, M. 
Gauthier, C. Rogers and H. W. Wing opened the first stone quarry in the 
hills east of Napa and got out paving blocks for the streets of San Francisco, 
receiving as high as $100 per thousand, and furnished about two hundred 
thousand during the four years they continued in business. 

It was in the meantime that Mr. Newman formed a partnership with 
H. W. Wing and established a granite and marble works in Napa, which 
continued until 1900, when Mr. Newman succeeded to the ownership of the 
business and which he has since conducted with ever growing success and 
with eminent satisfaction to all with whom he has had business dealings. 
It has been under his able direction that almost all of the important stone 
work in Napa county has been placed. Among some of the important build- 
ings we mention the Goodman library, Migliavacca, Shuppert & Martin's 
two buildings, the St. Helena school building, the Rideout bank building in 
Gridley, Butte county; two powder magazines at Benicia, a stone bridge in 
Sonoma county, and the city hall in Sonoma; special designs of ornamental 
carving have been sent to San Francisco and other large cities in the 
state. Mr. Newman is an exponent of stone bridges, and in Napa county 
there are more of this kind than in any other county in the state. It has 
many advantages over every other kind of structure owing to its stability 
and resistance to the elements, and he has constructed more of this kind than 
any other individual. In 1903 alone, he constructed twelve stone bridges in 
Napa county. In his establishment he employs only the most efficient work- 



268 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

men, sculptors, designers, cutters and polishers, and his plant is equipped 
with every modern convenience in the way of tools and other facilities to 
carry on all branches of the business. 

In politics Mr. Newman is a Republican, and while he has never been 
an aspirant for public office, has often had them tendered to him. He takes 
great pleasure in advancing the interests of the party. He is a friend of 
education, and has served as school director and has been a member of the 
city council. In lodge matters he is equally prominent, and is a Mason and a 
member of Yount Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M.; Napa Chapter No. 30, R. A. M., 
and Napa Commandery No. 34, K. T. ; he is prominent in the Odd Fellows, 
and is past chief patriarch and ex-district deputy, and held office continuously 
for about thirty years, serving as financial secretary for over twenty-eight 
years. He instituted the Rebekahs at St. Helena and Sonoma, and is also a 
member of the Elks of Napa. 

In 1888 occurred the marriage of J. B. Newman and Miss Minnie Mitchell, 
a native of California. Two children were born to them : Raymond Webster, 
born June 6, 1892, who is a graduate of Napa Business College and is now 
assisting his father, and Harold Merritt, born April 18, 1894, who died on his 
eleventh birthday. In the many years of his residence in Napa county it has 
been the pleasure of Mr. Newman to surround himself with many who admire 
him for his personality and his strict integrity. He has ever been ready and 
willing to assist any cause that he believed would benefit the county and 
promote the general welfare of the people. That he is a master of his trade 
there is no one to dispute, for the monuments he has erected throughout the 
county and those adjoining are silent testimonials of his handiwork. His 
confidence is further shown in the county by his becoming owner of property, 
which he has developed into a valuable home and business property. He is 
of a genial nature and wherever his name is mentioned it is with the statement 
that he is one of the most prominent men of the city of his adoption. 



JOSEPH RODERICK WARD. 

Failing health, it may be said, was the direct cause of making Mr. Ward 
a landsman after a life in the United States navy covering nearly thirty years. 
Being compelled to give up the career for which he was so well fitted and in 
which he had made such a splendid record, he settled down in his home in 
Vallejo, where he readily recuperated his lost health and was once more ready 
to take up the activities of life. His energies were not long allowed to lie 
idle, for Vallejo was in need of a capable official in the capacity of police judge, 
and in this office he is making as notable a record as he had gained as a naval 
officer. A native of County Galway, Ireland, born December 8, 1864, he was 
a mere child when he was brought to the United States. His early life was 
passed in New York City and Boston, Mass., attending public and private 
schools in both cities. When he was only sixteen years old he began his naval 
career by enlisting in the United States navy, December 16, 1880, as a third- 
class boy, being assigned to the U. S. S. Minnesota in the Brooklyn navy yard. 
During a service of nearly thirty years thereafter he served on the following 
naval vessels and stations : The Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Lancaster, 
Nipsic, Enterprise, Vermont, Juniata; at the naval torpedo station, Newport, 
R. I. ; the Washington navy yard, Wabash, Newark, the naval training station, 
Newport, R. I., the Richmond, Monterey, navy yard Mare Island, the Monad- 
nock, Charleston, Helena, naval station Cavite, P. I., the Caesar, the naval tor- 
pedro fleet Norfolk, Va., the Pensacola, at the naval training station, San Fran- 
cisco, the Independence, the naval magazine Mare Island, Moran Brothers' 
Company shipyard at Seattle, Wash., as assistant inspector of ordnance in 









HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 269 

connection with the building and fitting out of the battleship Nebraska, the 
navy yard at Puget Sound, Wash., and finally the Nebraska. 

Mr. Ward's advent on the Pacific coast and in California occurred in 
1892, when he came to San Francisco to accept the place of gunner on the 
Boston, which had been vacated by Gunner George Hettinger, who was killed 
in the explosion of the naval magazine at Mare Island. As a part of the crew 
of the Boston he went to Honolulu in 1893, at the time of the proclamation 
of the Republic of Hawaii, after a revolution and the deposition of Queen 
Liliuokalani. From the Boston he was transferred to the Monterey, remaining 
with the latter vessel until 1895, when his marriage in that year made it desir- 
able for him to locate in Vallejo. and he was therefore transferred to the Mare 
Island naA^y yard. He was serving as gunner in the ordnance department at 
the time the Spanish-American war was declared. Volunteering his services, 
he was assigned to duty on the Monadnock and on board this vessel went to 
the Philippine Islands, arriving there a short time after Dewey's victory in 
Manila bay May 1, 1898. With his compatriots Mr. Ward took part in the 
insurrection, after which he was detached and ordered to the Charleston, 
which participated in making the treaty of peace with the Moros in the Moro 
Islands. He was serving on the Charleston at the time she was wrecked off 
the northeast coast of Luzon, the crew narrowly escaping death by landing on 
an island, where they remained for fourteen days, or until word reached the 
Oregon, when relief was immediately sent to the stranded crew. Following 
this experience Mr. Ward was stationed at Cavite for about fifteen months, 
when he came home, only to set out soon afterward as watch officer on the 
Caesar to Norfolk, Va., where he remained for four months, being attached 
to the torpedo fleet. He was then ordered to the Pacific coast with a draft of 
one hundred and seventy-five enlisted men for ships at Mare Island and the 
Pacific coast. After discharging this commission he was ordered to the Inde- 
pendence, and from her ordered to the Mare Island navy yard, being placed 
in charge of the naval magazine. During the two years and five months that 
he was in charge of the magazine it was enlarged and greatly improved, and 
when he left the position it was with the satisfaction that his services had been 
appreciated by his "superiors. Subsequently he was ordered to Moran Broth- 
ers' Company at Seattle, Wash., where he had charge of the fitting out of the 
battleship Nebraska, previously mentioned. It was following the completion 
of this undertaking and after the vessel had been commissioned that Mr. Ward 
was taken ill and sent to the hospital. Upon being summoned before the 
retiring board it was recommended that he be retired from the naval service, 
the recommendation taking effect in June, 1909. He retired with the commis- 
sion of chief gunner, a promotional honor that was conferred upon him in 
1902. After his retirement he was again ordered to duty at the navy yard, 
Mare Island, being detached from active duty and ordered to his home on 
March 1, 1910. 

Reference has been made- to Mr. Ward's marriage. This occurred in 
Vallejo in 1895, when he was united with Miss Gertrude Irene Brooks, a native 
of this city and the daughter of William Brooks, one of the pioneers and up- 
builders of this city. Three children have been born of this union, Agnes 
Dolores. Loretto and Mary Phyllis. Mr. Ward had not been in private life 
long before his splendid abilities were called into requisition by his fellow 
citizens, who in October, 1910, elected him a member of the board of freehold- 
ers to frame a new charter for Vallejo. Mr. Ward had long been a champion 
of the commission form of government, and in accepting the office conferred 
upon him he did so with the determination to work indefatigably to bring 
about a new order of things in the city government. In September, 1911, he 
was aopointed by the city council the first police judge of Vallejo, the duties 
of which he immediately assumed. His long experience and training in the 



270 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

naval service are proving of inestimable value to him in this position, and 
from indications he promises to make as brilliant a record in municipal affairs 
as he did in his naval career. Politically he is a Republican, and personally 
he is a man of fine characteristics, one whom it is a pleasure to know and be 
associated with. 



WILLIAM ANDREWS. 

The necessity of earning a livelihood as well as a desire to travel during 
his younger years gave Mr. Andrews a comprehensive idea of much of our 
country, both east and west, and when eventually he settled in Napa as a 
permanent resident it was with a thorough appreciation of the advantages 
offered by the little town. Since then his affection for his home town has 
grown with the passing years. Here his married life has been happily passed 
and here for a long period prior to his retirement his business activities cen- 
tered. Many of the friends of his earlier days in the city have passed into the 
great beyond, but there still remain some of his old friends to brighten with 
their friendly greetings the declining days of his useful existence, and there are 
also the younger generations of residents who unite in giving him the respect 
and esteem merited by his kind heart and patriotic spirit. 

As a boy Mr. Andrews became familiar with conditions in the part of 
England where he lived and where his birth occurred, near Penzance, Corn- 
wall, July 15, 1835. Attendance at school was followed by apprenticeship to 
the trade of miller, and at the completion of his time he crossed the ocean to 
the United States in 1854, afterward working at his trade in Rochester, N. Y., 
Lewistown and Allegheny, Pa., as well as other eastern cities. During the 
spring of 1858 he joined an expedition that started across the plains to Cali- 
fornia. Twelve wagons formed the train and continued on the tedious journey 
for almost six months, when finally the little group of emigrants happily landed 
at their destination. The young Eiglish miller soon found employment at his 
trade in Stockton. From there he went to Nevada City, Nevada county, to 
work in a mill, and later was similarly occupied at Millville, Shasta county. 

About that time gold was discovered in mines in British Columbia and 
Mr. Andrews was induced to resign his position in the mill for the purpose 
of joining a party of Argonauts bound for the north. On his arrival he en- 
gaged in mining, but met with no special good fortune. During the spring of 
1863 he went to Nevada and engaged in mining in Humboldt county, but luck 
was against him, so he abandoned mining at the expiration of eighteen months. 
The year 1864 found him in Napa, where he resumed work at the millers' 
trade and for fourteen years he continued in the same business. It was about 
1878 when he retired from the occupation to which had been given so much of 
his youth and early manhood. Immediately afterward he engaged in the 
grocery business in Napa and for thirty-two years he carried on a large and 
important trade, having for a time S. M. Tool as a partner. During 1884 R. P. 
Lamdin became a partner in the store and the two men continued together for 
twenty-seven years, the dissolution of the partnership being occasioned by the 
desire of Mr. Andrews to retire from all business activities. It was on the 8th 
of February, 1911, that he gave up his connection with the grocery and retired 
to private life, taking with him the esteem of the people in whose midst for so 
many years he had carried on business with scrupulous honesty and fair deal- 
ings. With his wife, who was Miss Annie Neville, and their daughter, Caro- 
line, he enjoys the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances and is a wel- 
comed guest in the most select society of the place. Since the year 1866 he 
has been identified with Masonry and during that long period he has exempli- 
fied the teachings of the order by his spirit of philanthropy and brotherlv kind- 
ness. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 273 

HARRY LAWRENCE GUNN. 

The county auditor and recorder of Napa county was born in 1850, near 
St. Paul, Minn., and was the son of Smith R. and Martha J. (Innis) Gunn, 
the former born in Indiana of English descent, and the latter born in Pennsyl- 
vania of Scotch parentage. Soon after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. S. R. 
Gunn they went to Minnesota and settled near St. Paul, remaining one year. 
They then settled in Prescott, Pierce county, Wis., where he engaged in 
farming with marked success and later organized a company and established 
a stave factory and lumber mill, operating the same with success for the 
following eleven years. While living there Mr. Gunn was elected to the state 
assembly of Wisconsin, also clerk of the circuit court of Pierce county. Later 
he moved to Austin, Minn., and was engaged in farming until 1869, when he 
brought his family to California and engaged in horticulture in Santa Clara 
county. A few years later he located in Los Angeles county, and settled on 
a tract of land near Santa Fe Springs, engaging in farming until his death 
in 1899. His wife died in San Jose. Of the union were born four children, 
three of whom are living, Harry L. being the eldest. He received his primary 
education as a pupil in Wisconsin schools, and later attended school in 
Minnesota. He then taught school for one year and in 1869 came to Cali- 
fornia, making the journey on the railroad over which the first train had 
passed during the same year. Upon his arrival in the west he matriculated 
in the University of the Pacific and there remained until the completion of 
the regular course, when he was awarded the degree of B. Ph., afterward 
receiving the degree of A. M. from his alma mater. In addition he had the 
advantage of a thorough commercial training and is a graduate of Heald's 
Business College in San Francisco. Returning to the University of the Pacific 
he taught there for three years, and meanwhile organized and established the 
commercial department in connection with that institution. A man of excel- 
lent education and thorough normal training, he received a first grade state 
teacher's certificate while still quite young, but he taught only one year in 
the public schools of California, his services being in demand in private 
institutions. 

Upon coming to Napa and organizing the commercial department of the 
Napa College, Mr. Gunn became the head of this department, where he taught 
for sixteen years, meanwhile holding the position of financial secretary of 
the college for twelve years, during which time the college was put upon a 
self-sustaining basis. During the year 1894 he established the Napa Business 
College and for fourteen years he remained its principal and manager, mean- 
while also serving for eight years as the chief deputy in the office of the 
county clerk. In addition, as early as 1902 he was elected county recorder 
and auditor. Four years later he was again chosen for the office and in 1910 
he was elected for a third term of four years. Indicative of his popularity 
throughout the county is the fact that in the election of 1910 he received a 
larger majority than any other candidate who had opponents. With the 
special education he received in mathematics and bookkeeping, together with 
his life training in that line of activity and the long experience he has had 
in the office, he is eminently qualified for the intricate and complex duties 
of the position he now holds, and it is a matter of common remark among 
the people that he has mastered every detail of the work. The whole-hearted 
service that he gives the county has won abundant recognition, and as an 
official his standing is deservedly high. He is also the president of the Napa 
County Abstract Company. 

The marriage of Harry L. Gunn and Delia L. Ercanbrack, solemnized 
in 1881, was blessed with five children: Roy C, a graduate of the University 
of California, and civil engineer for the Standard Oil Company in San Fran- 
is 



274 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

cisco; Pearl ; Elbert E., bookkeeper at the I. O. G. T. Orphans' Home. Vallejo; 
H. Laverne, horticulturist at Napa, and Harold. Mrs. Gunn is the daughter 
of Rev. C. K. Ercanbrack, a pioneer of the Pajaro valley, Santa Cruz county. 
It has not been possible for Mr. Gunn to identify himself with many 
fraternities, for his life has been too filled with personal duties to admit of 
much social or fraternal relaxation, but he has been identified with the Napa 
Lodge of Elks, also the Moose, and maintains a warm interest in the work 
of these orders. For twelve years he was a member of Company H of the 
Fifth Regular N. G. C, and for eight years of that time held the commission 
of first lieutenant, until by application he was placed on the retired list. He 
and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Partisanship does not appeal to him. In no sense of the word is he a poli- 
tician, and his selection for office has been made from the standpoint of fitness 
rather than party affiliations. All who recognized his ability as a teacher 
and commercial instructor also recognized his qualifications as an accurate 
accountant and methodical bookkeeper, whose tenure of office would be 
marked by fidelity, intelligence and attention to every detail. 



CHARLES D. FALCONER. 

The career of Charles D. Falconer is interesting because of the many and 
varied experiences which have made up his life. He was born in Hamilton, 
Ohio. April 15, 1842, a son of John H. Falconer, also a native of Hamilton, 
Ohio, where he was a merchant and miller until 1860, when he located in 
Noble.. Richland county, 111., and engaged in the same business until his 
death. His wife, Charlotte Smith, born in Hamilton, Ohio, died in Pawtucket, 
R. I. Of their seven children Charles D. Falconer is the third oldest. A 
brother. Frank, served in the Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Civil 
war and died at the old home ; a sister, Kate, was the wife of ex- Lieutenant 
Governor Henry A. Stearns of Rhode Island. 

Charles D. Falconer resided in Hamilton until Eighteen years of age, 
when he removed to Illinois. He was patriotic and enthusiastic and at the 
outbreak of the war he immediately enlisted in the naval service, in 1861, 
serving in the Mississippi squadron for four years with Admiral Farragut. 
During the war he was twice wounded, the first time by a piece of shell at 
the capture of Memphis, where he was on the Queen of the West as orderly 
sergeant of marines. This vessel led the fight and sank the General Lovell 
before the other vessels were in the fight. The Union fleet was victorious. He 
was also wounded at the taking of Vicksburg, again by a piece of shell. Serv- 
ing until the close of the war, he was mustered out at Vicksburg in 1865 as 
sergeant major of marines. At the close of the war he returned to again take 
up the life of a civilian and joined his father in the mercantile buiness, also 
engaging in stock farming and milling. In 1870 he removed to Salina, Kan., 
where he was under sheriff of Saline county for two terms. This was no easy 
position to fill, but rather one destined to bring him many thrilling experi- 
ences in dealing with the Indians, called the "bad men," who made life dan- 
gerous as well as exciting in Kansas in those days. He was well acquainted 
with Wild Bill, who was afterwards marshal of Abilene. Later Mr. Falconer 
became superintendent of the county infirmary and then one of the officers 
in the Kansas penitentiary at Lansing. He also served as colonel on the staff 
of Governor Osborn of Kansas, and was prominent in Kansas politics, helping 
to make many of the officers of the state. After faithfully filling this round of 
public duties he took up private life and engaged in the land and mortgage 
business in Salina. In 1897 he moved to Toledo, Ohio, where he resided until 
1899, when he came to California and settled in Browns valley, Napa county, 
purchasing a twenty-acre ranch, on which he still resides, and which is known 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 275 

as Falconer villa. This land is devoted to the raising of French prunes, and 
Mr. Falconer has built a splendid country residence on the place. 

Fraternally Mr. Falconer is a member of the Modern Woodmen, Knights 
of Pythias and Admiral Farragut Post, G. A. R., of San Francisco. In Wa- 
mego, Kan., March 10, 1878, he married Miss Rebecca Vosburg, who was 
born in Christian county, 111., a daughter of Henry J. and Sarah (Rockwell) 
Vosburg, the former a native of New York state, of old Knickerbocker stock, 
and the latter born in Pennsylvania. They were engaged in farming in Illinois, 
later removing to Ohio and in 1873 to Kansas, where they died. Clyde Jack- 
son Falconer, a nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Falconer, resides with them. 
He attends the Napa high school and excels along athletic lines, being a fast 
runner and fine athlete. In a two-mile race in which he participated in the 
Auditorium in San Francisco he ranked fourth out of twenty-five boys who 
ran, and won the mile race at Napa against Santa Rosa. When fifteen years 
old he defeated fast runners of other track teams. 

A brother-in-law of Mr. Falconer, Henry A. Stearns, came to San Fran- 
cisco in 1850, coming around the Horn, and bringing with him a small steam- 
boat which he used in taking passengers across the bay from San Francisco to 
Oakland, thus engaging in the first steam ferry system to Oakland. He se- 
cured the franchise for the line and it proved a splendid business venture, as 
later he sold out for $100,000. He was a prominent man in the east, having 
been lieutenant-governor of Rhode Island for two years. 



FRENCH ALBERT SAWYER. 

Two enterprises radically different in purpose, the one commercial and 
the other educational, each vitally identified with the early development of 
Napa and each a large factor in the substantial advance made in population 
and industrial importance, owe their origin principally to the sagacious judg- 
ment of the late French Albert Sawyer, who with the counsel and co-operation 
of his father, the honored pioneer, Benjamin F. Sawyer, developed the present 
Sawyer Tanning Company and established the Napa Collegiate Institute. 
During the early and formative period of the latter's history he served as a 
member of the board of trustees for some years, while the former, founded 
under his personal direction, was one of the most important interests of his 
busy career. Not only was he an able business man, but also so reliable that 
his integrity never was questioned, and no citizens of Napa were more promi- 
nent or more enterprising than he and his father. 

The history of the Sawyer family in America shows that several succes- 
sive generations lived and labored in New England. Benjamin F., son of 
Joseph Sawyer, was born December 14, 1819. He received an academic 
education and spent several years teaching in the public schools of Newport, 
N. H. When he entered into business pursuits he made a specialty of the 
tanning industry and eventually became proprietor of the Upper tannery at 
Newport, but in 1869 he disposed of that plant. In February of 1871 he 
joined his son, French Albert, at Napa and from that time until his death, in 
January of 1879, he continued to be interested in the Sawyer Tanning Com- 
pany, finding leisure however for many other activities, notably a prominent 
association with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he served as 
moderator and as Sunday-school superintendent. April 28, 1844, he had 
married Miss Lois Gunnison, who was born in Goshen, N. H., and died at the 
family residence in Napa. 

Born at Newport, N. H., January 3, 1846, French Albert Sawyer was 
prepared for college at Tilton Conference Seminary and afterwards received 
a classical education in the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn. In 
1868, after the completion of his studies, he came to California for the benefit 



276 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

of his health. An uncle, H. A. Gunnison, resided in San Francisco, while an 
aunt, Mrs. Peaslee, lived at Napa, and after visiting them he went into the 
mining regions of the Sierra Madre mountains, where he found the outdoor 
life, the camp food and the mountain air soon restored him to his former 
physical condition. Ready for active business affairs, he returned to Napa 
and in December, 1869, started a small tannery and wool establishment, the 
nucleus of the present Sawyer Tanning Company. In this venture he was 
joined by his father, and later William Woodbury came out from New 
Hampshire to identify himself with the industry, which still later attracted 
to it as stockholders A. W. Norton, Emanuel Manasse and S. E. Holden. 
In time the B. F. Sawyer Company was merged into the Sawyer Tanning 
Company, which has been one of the most important industrial enterprises in 
the county and has had a very direct bearing upon the well-being of the com- 
munity. 

The marriage of French A. Sawyer took place in San Francisco in Novem- 
ber, 1869, and united him with Miss Martha W. Holden, who was born in 
Concord, N. H., and received an excellent education in Tilton Seminary and 
after graduating in 1869 came to San Francisco on one of the first trains that 
crossed the continent. She was the youngest among the three children com- 
prising the family of Benjamin F. Holden, a woolen manufacturer of Concord, 
N. H., and Harriet (Morse) Holden, of Massachusetts. The two older 
members of the family were B. F. and Samuel E., both of whom came to Napa. 
The former engaged in woolen manufacturing until his death. The latter, 
an attorney by profession, served as president of the Sawyer Tanning Com- 
pany until his death in 1900, and meantime aided judiciously in the permanent 
upbuilding of the city. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Sawyer was Asa 
Holden, a native of Massachusetts and a farmer of New Hampshire, while his 
wife, bearing the maiden name of Nancy Wyman, descended from a colonial 
family of Massachusetts that had representatives in the Revolutionary war. 

Since the death of Mr. Sawyer, which occurred in the year 1901, Mrs. 
Sawyer has continued to hold the family interests in the Sawyer Tanning 
Company of Napa and the Norton Tanning Company of San Francisco, and 
has proved a very capable business woman. Religion adds its uplifting influ- 
ence to the harmonious blending of her personal characteristics. For years 
she has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and has con- 
tributed with generosity to its missionary movements as well as its general 
maintenance. While still retaining her residence at Napa and superintend- 
ing her interests on the Pacific coast, she finds time to spend a portion of 
each year with her daughters at Newton, Mass., namely : Harriet, a graduate 
of the Boston University and now the wife of Adam P. Holden ; and Lois 
Mabel, wife of Franklin T. Miller. The only son, Herbert Holden, who 
married Claire Goodman, a daughter of Harvey P. Goodman, president of the 
First National Bank of Napa, worthily represents the present generation of 
the family in Napa and by characteristic energy and ability has risen to a 
rank among the leading young business men of Napa, where, since his. gradua- 
tion from the Wesleyan University of Middletown, Conn., he has held office 
as secretary of the Sawyer Tanning Company. 



EDWARD MANASSE. 

One of Napa's former well-known and respected citizens was the late 
Edward Manasse, who, though passed from the scenes of earth, is still affec- 
tionately remembered by hosts of friends and business associates. A native 
of the Fatherland, he was born in Beinheim, Frankfort-on-the-Main, March 
3, 1854, his father being a merchant in that city. He received his education 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 279 

in the excellent schools of his native land and upon immigrating to the United 
States came directly to California, well equipped to make his way. He was 
fortunate in securing a position with D. L. Haas, a dealer in books and sta- 
tionery at Calistoga, which position he held for a few years. 

Upon resigning his position in Calistoga, Edward Manasse located in 
Los Angeles, remaining there for about one year, after which he came to 
Napa, and for thirteen years was associated with the Sawyer Tanning Com- 
pany as buyer. After this term of long and faithful service he severed his 
business connections with the firm. During this time he made a trip to his 
boyhood home to visit his aged father. After resigning his place with the 
Sawyer Tanning Company, Mr. Manasse went to Washington, and in Walla 
Walla established himself in the merchandise business, continuing this for 
four years. A change of location at the end of this time found him in Athena, 
Ore., where he engaged in general merchandising, building up a flourishing 
business and becoming a prominent factor in the business and civic affairs of 
the town. Personally Mr. Manasse was a man of sterling worth and integrity, 
kindly and charitable to those less fortunate than himself, and his death in 
Walla Walla in February, 1907, was the occasion of general mourning in the 
town for which he had done so much. 

Mr. Manasse's marriage occurred in San Francisco May 28, 1882, and 
united him with Miss Gertrude Cohen, who was born in Chicago, 111., her 
parents coming to California and spending their latter years in San Francisco. 
Two children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Manasse : L. Jeanette 
and Herbert L., both of whom still reside with their mother, who since the 
death of her husband has made her home in Napa. The son is employed with 
the Sawyer Tanning Company. 



WILLIAM J. PLEASANTS. 

Possessed of a temperament that fitted him for the endurance of frontier 
hardships, William James Pleasants came to the regions that border on the 
placid Pacific Ocean at a time when large opportunity was afforded the use 
of inherent qualities of mind and heart. Many and varied have been his 
experiences, but he has surmounted them all and has become recognized as 
one of the substantial citizens of a community in which he has made his home 
for over half a century. Executive ability and geniality of disposition have 
won for him the respect and regard of those with whom he has had to deal 
during his sojourn in this wonderful land of sunshine and flowers. 

The subject of this sketch traces his ancestry back to the dim centuries 
of the past, when in the year 1668, one John Pleasants, a Quaker from Nor- 
wich, England, came to the shores of this country and settled in Curies, a 
little town on the James river, in loved Virginia, not far from where the 
city of Richmond now stands. The family history is traced down in a direct 
line to the year 1806, when Edward Pleasants, grandfather of William J., 
emigrated with his family from Goochland county, Va., and settled in Lincoln 
county, Ky. It was here that James M. Pleasants, the father of William J. 
Pleasants, was born April 29, 1809. He was married in 1833 to Miss Lydia 
Mason and two years later they moved to Missouri, where the father located 
and the family was reared. To this family of undisputed ancestry was born, 
in Lincoln county, Ky., in the year 1834, William James Pleasants. He 
remembers nothing of his birthplace, for when one year old he was taken by 
his parents to Missouri and there, in the peace and quiet of the family precinct, 
he spent the next thirteen years of his life. 

In January, 1849, the news of the discovery of gold in California reached 
the Pleasants' home in Van Buren county, Mo. The wonderful stories of the 
vast wealth uncovered by the miner's pick in the far-off land bordering on the 



282 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

between Napa and San Francisco. He had filled this position for a few 
months only, when, on November 2 of that year, he was made agent of the 
company, with headquarters at Napa, and has continued in this capacity ever 
since. 

Allan T. Livingston is an active member of Fairhaven Lodge No. 73, 
F. & A. M., at San Francisco; Napa Chapter No. 30, R. A. M., San Francisco; 
Napa Commandery No. 34, K. T. ; Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., San 
Francisco; besides which he is identified with the Odd Fellows order at 
Bandon, Ore., and the Knights of Pythias at Bellingham, Wash. 



FREDERICK SIDNEY JONES. 

From eighty-three cherry trees planted over fifty years ago to beautify 
the driveway to a handsome residence, has grown the largest cherry orchard 
in the world, owned and operated by Frederick Sidney Jones of Cordelia, 
Solano county, a scientific horticulturist and native of California. Three hun- 
dred people are employed during the busy season on this ranch of five hundred 
and twenty acres, one hundred and forty of which are planted to cherry trees, 
and one hundred and sixty in various fruits and nuts such as peaches, pears, 
almonds and English walnuts. These are gradually being replaced, however, 
by cherry trees, as the soil is more favorable to that fruit. In 1909, which 
was an average year, the cherry crop from this orchard brought about $27,000; 
from twelve to fifteen hundred boxes being picked each day. The latest 
scientific methods are applied to every department of this cherry industry, 
resulting in prices that are the highest obtainable in the great markets of the 
east. Having picked as high as one hundred and thirty-five boxes from a 
single tree of the original eighty-three, some of which still bear fruit after 
more than fifty years' growth, Mr. Jones was convinced that science added to 
nature could make the greatest cherry orchard in the world, so with this end 
in view he has worked with all the enthusiasm of the native Californian and 
the born horticulturist. 

The Jones cherry orchard is located about four miles north of Cordelia 
in Green valley and about two miles below the celebrated Green Valley falls, 
situated at the foot of a basalt mountain. On his place is a large basalt 
mountain with millions of tons that will be the material of the future for 
concrete and paving. He has just finished a new residence of colonial archi- 
tecture set like a beautiful gem against the mountain. It is built of lava 
stone quarried from his ranch. The fireplace is made of red basalt also 
obtained from his ranch, and hardwood floors and panels and beam ceilings 
are other features of this up-to-date residence. The ranch is equipped with a 
modern building for handling cherries, besides a packing house where the 
boxes are made and the cherries packed ready for shipment. The cherries 
are all picked and graded by hand, and each box is examined thoroughly 
before it is sent to the car for shipment. It is a fact that nothing but white 
help is employed on the ranch or in the packing house. 

Frederick Sidney Jones, Sr., was born in Windsor County, Vt., in 1828, 
the son of Frederick Sidney Jones, who was born in Wales, and who settled 
on a farm in Vermont upon immigrating to the United States. He enlisted 
and served in the Mexican war and was twice wounded, first receiving: a 
bullet wound in the left leg and later in the right arm. After the war he came 
to the Pacific coast and settled in California in 1850. He first engaged in the 
wholesale butcher business in San Francisco, a profitable undertaking, but the 
proceeds were lost in mining ventures. In the meantime he had purchased a 
ranch in Sonoma county, and after recouping his lost fortunes in the butcher 
business which he still maintained, he invested in a ranch in Solano county, 




/T> <A / /(/Jh/ c ny^Ofuv\ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 285 

comprising one hundred and sixty acres on which has been erected one of the 
finest stone houses in the county. It was here that he came with his wife, 
Marv (Swift) Jones, in 1868. Here he devoted his time to horticulture until 
his death in 1891, his wife passing away two years later. 

Frederick Sidney Jones, Jr., was born at Sonoma, Cal., April 27, 1861, 
and was seven years old when his parents moved to the Solano county ranch, 
which has become under his wise direction, the famous cherry orchard. After 
finishing at the San Francisco high school he returned to the homestead 
to which he fell heir after the death of his parents, being the only son in 
the family. In 1889 he married Miss Addie Chadbourne, whose mother, 
Ruth Anna (Hobbs) Chadbourne, having been left a widow with nine chil- 
dren, was one of the earliest settlers to put out fruit trees in the Suisun valley. 
She accumulated a fortune from her orchards and was a noted horticulturist 
in the community. 

The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are Ruth M., born in 1891, a 
graduate of Miss Head's school at Berkeley, and at present studying music at 
San Francisco; Frederick Sidney Jones III, born in 1894, and being educated 
at W. T. Reed's school at Belmont; and Margaret B., the youngest, also 
attending Miss Head's school. While Mr. Jones is almost wholly occupied 
with the cultivation of his orchards, his large affairs have of necessity drawn 
him into other enterprises. He is a stockholder in the Pacific Portland 
Cement Co., at Cement, Cal., and a director in the Bank of Suisun. A man 
who has ever had the welfare of the community at heart, he is ever ready to 
give of his time and means towards any project that has for its object the 
building up and improvement of the state of his birth. 



JACOB L. BERINGER. 

One of the most firmly established enterprises in Napa county and indeed 
in the state, is that of Beringer Brothers, of which J. L. Beringer has been 
the sole owner and manager since the death of his brother Frederick in 1902. 
Jacob L. Beringer is one of the self-made men of whom St. Helena is proud, 
not only because of his high business standing, but because of his interest in 
the development of Napa county. Born in Mainz, Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, May 4, 1845, he is a son of Louis and Marie (Gruber) Beringer, also 
natives of the Rhine country. His boyhood days were spent in his quaint 
native town. As is customary with the youth of that country, he learned a 
useful trade, becoming an expert cooper and also a competent wine manu- 
facturer. At the age of twenty-one he was well equipped for whatever fate 
had in store for him, and in Berlin had charge of a wine cellar for a couple 
of years. Returning to Mainz in 1867, he had charge of the wine cellar of 
J. A. Harth & Company, and there learned the art of making high-grade wines. 
With the highest recommendations from prominent European firms, he sailed 
for the United States in 1868, soon after being engaged by the firm of Truche 
& Winkenbach, of New York City, as foreman of their wine cellar. While 
there he mastered the English language and became more or less familiar 
with the customs of his adopted country, and a year later opened a depot on 
Tenth street. New York City, for German wines and famous Seltzer waters. 
He was successful to a gratifying degree, and continued his business until 
coming to California in 1870. 

Upon arriving in this state Mr. Beringer found that the possibilities of 
wine-making were as yet hardly appreciated, although the vineyards were in 
a flourishing condition and money was available. Until 1878 he served in 
the capacity of manager of the Charles Krug wine cellar, where the crudest 
of methods were practiced, the wine being pressed and crushed by hand. He 



286 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

bought his present place of two hundred acres in 1879 from William Daegner, 
one hundred and eighty acres of this being in vineyard at this time. On the 
place the proprietor has erected a large and modern wine cellar with a capacity 
of two hundred thousand gallons yearly. For the process known as "ageing" 
Mr. Beringer has four cellars, and over one million gallons of wine are always 
on hand for this process. Mr. Beringer's principal wine cellars are blasted 
out of the solid concrete conglomerate. When excavating for his wine cellar 
in 1877 he found he had to blast in the solid concrete and so conceived the 
idea of having an underground cellar in the mountain. The different cellars 
are arranged so they run from one to the other and furnish complete and 
ample circulation and make the most unique cellar of the kind in the United 
States. The front of the cellar is a massive stone building three stories high, 
and is equipped with the latest machinery for the manufacture of wine. The 
crushing department is located on the top floor. In connection Mr. Beringer 
also runs a distillery, where grape brandy is manufactured. Besides the 
underground cellar there are three others, two large stone buildings and one 
wooden one. all equipped with steam engines and pumps, and lighted by 
electricity. 

Mr. Beringer married Agnese Tscheinig in St. Helena, and the following 
children were born to them : Jacob, Otto, Charles, Bertha, Martha and 
Agnese. Mr. Beringer, by his expert knowledge of viticulture, has done much 
to place California wines on their present high standing and there can be 
found no more progressive man in Napa county than he. 



CHARLES H. BULSON, M. D. 

Among the substantial families that contributed to the strength and sta- 
bility of the Holland-Dutch settlement in New York state in the early history 
of that commonwealth, mention belongs to the Bulsons, the grandfather of 
the gentleman above named being the immigrating ancestor. A native of 
Holland, John Bulson during young manhood ventured to depart from the 
traditions of his ancestors by coming to the new world, setting sail from 
Amsterdam. He settled on a farm in the vicinity of Rochester and there he 
reared his family. Included in the latter was a son, H. R., who was born on 
the farm near Rochester and early trained to the duties of a farmer's son. 
However, when he was old enough to follow his own inclinations and fit 
himself for the life for which Nature intended him, he began his studies along 
the line of medicine, and from then until the close of his career he followed 
the helpful and humanitarian calling for which he was so well qualified. While 
he was quite a young man and before his studies were fairly under way, the 
breaking out of the Civil war cast its gloom over the entire country, and the 
call of President Lincoln for volunteers in a three-month service came as a 
personal appeal to the young man. As a member of a Pennsylvania regiment 
he joined the service for the time mentioned, during which time he saw service 
in the first Battle of Bull Run, and upon the expiration of his first term he re- 
enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry. He was wounded in the second 
Battle of Winchester, and, as he was unfit for further service, he was honor- 
ably discharged. As soon as he had recovered sufficiently from his army 
service he took up the study of medicine in earnest, for the purpose going to 
Chicago. 111., and from one of the best medical colleges in that city he gradu- 
ated with honors. Locating in Michigan, he opened an office in Blooming- 
dale, Van Buren county, and continued there until going to Evansville, Rock 
county, Wis. Upon leaving the last-mentioned place in 1886, he came to 
California and was associated with his brother-in-law, S. P. Davis, in the 
practice of medicine in Eureka, Humboldt county. On account of the failure 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 287 

of his wife's health he later located in Stockton, and there continued in the 
practice of medicine until his death in 1897. In various places where he had 
resided he held the office of pension examiner. Fraternally, he was a Mason 
of the Knights Templar degree. Mrs. Bulson was in maidenhood Lucretia F. 
Jipson, born near Lockport, N. Y., the daughter of John and the great-grand- 
daughter of Lord Jipson of England. The latter came to this country in an 
early day and was one of the pioneer settlers in Monroe county, Mich., where 
he became a large landowner and prominent farmer. Mrs. Bulson is still 
living, making her home in Stockton. Of her three children two are living, 
Charles H. and William, the latter an electrician in Sacramento. 

Charles H. Bulson was born in Bloomingdale, Van Buren county, Mich., 
November 6. 1868, but as he was quite young when the family home was 
transferred to Wisconsin, his earliest school training was obtained in Evans- 
ville, Rock county, that state. That continued to be the home of the family 
until 1886, when removal was made to California, and as location was made 
in Eureka, the young man was fortunate in being able to enter Eureka 
Academy. In the meantime he had determined to follow in the steps of his 
father in the choice of a profession and he accordingly took up the study of 
medicine in Cooper Medical College, remaining there two years, when he 
took a course in Gross Medical College, Denver, Colo., graduating therefrom 
in 1889 with the degree of M. D. Following his graduation he was associated 
in practice with his father in Stockton until 1891, when he went to Chicago 
and took a course in the Post-Graduate College of that city. On his return 
to Stockton he was appointed county physician of San Joaquin county, con- 
tinuing in this office until 1895, when he took another post-graduate course, 
this time in New York City, and also took a course in the New York Poly- 
clinic. Returning to Stockton once more, he resumed practice with his father, 
the association continuing until the death of the father, after which for one 
year the son continued the office alone. After coming to California the father 
had purchased considerable land in Placer county, near the town of Lincoln, 
and thither the son removed about one year after the death of his father, 
opening an office and continuing to practice there for about five years. While 
there he served in the capacity of county health officer and was also president 
of the Placer County Medical Society. From Placer county Dr. Bulson then 
removed to Sacramento, practicing medicine there for about three years, when, 
in September, 1908, he was appointed chief surgeon at the Veterans' Home 
at Yountville by the board of directors. At the end of three years of service 
in this capacity he came to Napa and continued to practice his profession, 
making a specialty of surgery. Although he has been located here but a short 
time comparatively, he has built up a fine practice and has gained the support 
and confidence of all who have been brought in contact with him, either pro- 
fessionally or socially. 

In Stockton, in October, 1891, Dr. Bulson was married to Ida H. Castle, 
a native of that city, and the daughter of Christopher C. Castle, a pioneer of 
San Joaquin county. One child was born of this marriage, Maxine Lucretia. 
Dr. Bulson was made a Mason in Gold Hill Lodge, F. & A. M., in Lincoln, 
Placer county, of which he was past master, and he is still a member of the 
lodge. He is further identified with the order by membership in Napa Chapter 
and Napa Commandery No. 34, K. T., and is also a member of the Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks. In the line of his profession he is a member 
of the State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and is 
vice-president of the Napa County Medical Society. While in Stockton Dr. 
Bulson enlisted as a private in Company B of the Sixth Regiment, N. G C, 
later was promoted first lieutenant and battalion adjutant, and still later was 
elected major of his regiment. He resigned this office to further prosecute 
his medical studies in the New York Post-Graduate College, and upon his 



288 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

return to Sacramento he was honored with the appointment of surgeon in the 
medical corps of the National Guard, a position he has held ever since, being 
now in command of the hospital corps attached to the First Squadron of 
Cavalry, in which he bears the rank of captain. A man of large capacity and 
possessing executive ability beyond the average, Dr. Bulson is eminently fitted 
for the duties and honors that have been placed upon him. 



HENRY K. WHITE. 

Indicative of his popularity among his fellow-citizens and the fact that 
he possesses those qualities that are essential to successful office-holding, is 
the fact that Mr. White has been continued in public office in one capacity or 
another for the past fifteen years in Benicia, where at the present time he is 
serving as justice of the peace. 

A native of the east, Mr. White was born in Hartford, Conn., May 5, 
1863. the son of parents who had made their home In New England for many 
years. When his son Avas about eleven years of age Henry White brought 
his family to the west, and for about a year was located in Oakland, Cal. 
Coming to Solano county in 1875, he then established his home in Benicia, 
and here he passed away three years later, in 1878. H. K. White had begun 
his primary education in his native city of Hartford, and after exhausting the 
facilities in Benicia he returned to the east to finish his education. On return- 
ing to Benicia fortune favored him in that he secured a position with the well- 
known firm of Baker & Hamilton, with whom he remained for seventeen 
years. For three years, from 1894 to 1897, he carried on a ranch near Benicia. 
A recognition of his ability for public office through his interest in all of the 
activities of his home city and county was the means of his appointment as 
justice of the peace by the supervisors, and his re-election in November of 
1910 to the same office for a term of four years gave renewed testimony of his 
efficiency. Prior to this, from 1892 to 1900, he had filled with equal efficiency 
the office of clerk of Benicia. As school trustee his influence has been in- 
calculable during the past twelve years in the improvement of conditions along 
this line. 

In 1900 Mr. White was united in marriage with Miss Anna B. Harley, 
who was born in Yolo county. Two children, Henry K., Jr., and Marion, 
have been born of this marriage. To one of Mr. White's temperament affilia- 
tion with fraternal orders is a natural result, and he is an active member of 
the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In the fall 
of 1907 he was made secretary of the Benicia Building and Loan Association, 
and he is still connected with this organization. 



GEORGE PRICE CAMPBELL. 

Among the horticulturists of Solano county who were born, reared and 
have their homes within the borders of the county, none has brighter pros- 
pects for the future than are suggested by the industry and integrity of George 
P. Campbell. H,e was born on the ranch which he now occupies, seven miles 
northwest of Suisun, June 6, 1865, the son of John Perry and Mary F. (Morris) 
Campbell, the former of Avhom died on the home place in 1906, and the latter 
on January 28, 1911. 

In the public schools of Suisun, George P. Campbell gained a good educa- 
tion in the common branches of learning, and after his graduation from the 
home school he continued his studies in the Dixon high school, and there, as 
in the former school, he took high rank in his classes. With the close of his 













'yy'yyt fr<f?-^/n>L 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 291 

school days he returned to the home ranch in the Suisun valley and shared 
with his father the duties which the maintenance of the ranch involved. After 
the death of the father in 1906 he assumed entire charge of the property. In 
the early days this was a waving field of grain, yielding splendid harvests 
from year to year until the raising of fruit had passed the experimental stage, 
when the elder Mr. Campbell planted the entire acreage to fruit. The change 
of crop proved a wise one, and for the past twenty-five years the income has 
been from fruits which flourish best in this part of the state. . At present he 
is the owner of one hundred and nine acres, of which seventy-eight are in 
orchard — pears, peaches, apricots and prunes, all of which are bearing. 

Mr. Campbell was married in 1895 to Miss Ella May Robinson, a native 
of Iowa, and the daughter of Washington and Margaret Robinson, the former 
deceased, but the latter still living and a resident of Hanford, Kings county. 
The eldest of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Campbell is Ina Vivienne, 
now attending the Armijo high school in Fairfield. The other daughter, 
Dorothy Elizabeth, is a student in the local school. Politically Mr. Campbell 
is a staunch Democrat, but has never sought or accepted positions of trust 
and responsibility. 

WILLIAM GORDON. 

As a representative of a pioneer family, there is no name better known 
in Napa county than William Gordon, a resident in Gordon valley, named 
after the family. Mr. Gordon was born in Toas, N. Mex., September 27, 1833, 
and when seven years of age was brought to California by his father, William 
Gordon. The latter was a native of Ohio, of Scotch descent, who came from 
New Mexico by way of Arizona on horseback to California. He remained in 
Los Angeles until the spring of 1841, then with others went to the northern 
part of the state, crossing Carquinez straits in a rowboat and swimming their 
horses behind them. On reaching the northern side they engaged some Indians 
to pilot them up the bay and Napa river. Arriving in what is now Napa 
county, they camped under some large sycamore trees on the present site of 
George Yount's home and for about a year the elder Gordon engaged in farming 
on a small scale, raising some cattle and feed and produce for his own needs. 
From this location he removed to what was afterwards named Washington, 
the first county seat of Yolo county, situated on the banks of the Sacramento 
river. Here Mr. Gordon met Captain Sutter and was engaged by the latter 
to construct a mill at that place, he having told Sutter that he was a mill- 
wright. During the construction of this mill, which was operated by horse- 
power, Mr. Gordon made his home in Sacramento county, on the opposite 
side of the river, and crossed to and from his work daily in a canoe. For this 
labor Mr. Gordon was given forty-two head of cattle (cows and heifers) in 
lieu of money. 

The next move of Mr. Gordon was made two months later, when he went 
to a location northwest of what is now the city of Woodland and here he 
secured a grant of three leagues of land and settled down to farming, which 
continued his occupation until his death. As one of the early pioneers of 
California, he had to undergo many privations and hardships in establishing 
a home and, like the majority of those men of that period, aided in all move- 
ments that had for their object the development of that section of California. 

William Gordon, of this review, accompanied his parents on their migra- 
tions in California and received such educational advantages as they were 
able to give him and, when old enough, assisted with the work about the 
ranch. After he was old enough to conduct independent farming operations, 
he settled on Cache creek, where he remained two years. In 1862, he settled 
in Gordon valley, where he has twelve hundred acres of land, which he secured 



292 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

from his father and which was originally part of a Spanish grant. Here Mr. 
Gordon has a valuable property, which yields him a substantial income 
annually. This has been developed to its present condition by its owner, and 
it is conceded to be one of the most valuable properties in the entire valley. 
There are two hundred acres improved in orchard, consisting of apricots, 
peaches, prunes, oranges and almonds, one of the largest orchards in Napa 
county. His orange grove consists of one acre and beautifies his yard and its 
fruit, raised without irrigation, is of superior quality. Thirty acres are in 
hay and the balance is used for pasture land for his cattle and horses, about ten 
head of the latter being kept for use on the ranch. All of the improvements 
on the place have been placed there by Mr. Gordon. He has erected several 
sets of buildings, commodious houses for his sons and daughters, who are all 
living on the ranch, and to whom he leases the property on shares, he having 
retired from active farm work. Ample facilities have been provided for caring 
for the fruit, including a dryer and an almond huller for their own use, besides 
which they take care of their neighbors' almonds. This ranch is watered 
from the Gordon creek, which flows through the center of it, and withal it 
might be considered one of the show places of Southern California. Two 
lofty oak trees, supposed to be about two hundred years old, mark Mr. 
Gordon's place of residence and stand like sentinels over his home. Besides 
these trees, the yard is decorated with ornamental shrubbery and flowers, 
giving it the appearance of a typical California city home. 

In Napa, June 18, 1861, Mr. Gordon married Juliette Chapman, a native 
of Connecticut and a daughter of Levi Chapman, who came to California in 
the early '50s, and was engaged in mining until his death. Of the children 
born of this marriage we mention the following: George E., who is farming 
a part of the old home place, married Clara Leonard; Frank L., also interested 
in farming on the old homestead, was road-overseer for several years ; he 
married Nettie Gosling and has two children; William H. married Rosa 
Chapman; Sophronia became the wife of W. A. Clark; and Loleta married 
Thomas H. Loney. The sons were educated in the public schools and in 
Napa College, and have been able assistants to their father in the development 
of the ranch. Each of the children has inherited from their parents those 
qualities that have given them a place with the representative people of their 
county. 

.Ever since locating in Gordon valley, William Gordon has aided in its 
development, assisting to construct roads, organized the Gordon school district 
and served as trustee for many years. In politics he is a Republican, although 
has never been an aspirant for office. His public spirit and regard for the 
welfare of the people have. been frequently demonstrated and now in review- 
ing his life work, as he looks over his broad possessions he recalls the time 
when he was engaged in mining during the exciting period of 1848-9, when 
they were washing out their gold and often would get as much as $50 or more 
in one pan. He compares his present condition, when he is assured of an 
annual income, to the precarious occupation that he followed as a young man. 
Mr. Gordon is a quiet, conservative man, and while he has always worked to 
advance his own interests, has never neglected the duties of a citizen. 



REV. FATHER BERNARD M. DOOGAN. 

The history of the Catholic church in California is so intimately con- 
nected with the general history of the commonwealth that no detailed ac- 
count of one could be written without mention of the other. The needs of a 
church of this denomination in Vallejo were aoparent as early as the year 
1855, and resulted in the organization of St. Vincent's church. From the 
first the organization attracted wealthy and influential communicants and 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 293 

friends, among them being General Frisbee and General Vallejo, the first men- 
tioned donating the site for the church, and the latter giving the bell, which 
had formerly done service in the old mission at Sonoma. With the passing 
of years the congregation outgrew the original building and with the same 
generosity which had prompted his former donation, General Frisbee donated 
the entire block embraced by Santa Clara, Sacramento, Florida and Kentucky 
streets, and to this location the old edifice was removed in 1870. 

The wide scope of the new grounds made possible the development of 
the well-laid plans of the pastor, Rev. Father Louis Daniel, whose keen ambi- 
tion was to extend the usefulness of the church by the erection and mainte- 
nance of a school for girls. This was accomplished by remodeling and equip- 
ping the old building with school furnishings, and under the direction of the 
Sisters of St. Dominic the institution flourished. However, before the build- 
ing was remodeled for school purposes a new brick church was well under 
way and the able pastor who had worked so indefatigably in making it a pos- 
sibility, ministered a number of years thereafter to the growing congregation 
who gathered within its walls. His death in 1896, at the age of sixty-six, was 
the cause of universal mourning among the faithful members of his congrega- 
tion, who keenly appreciated the material and spiritual labors of their pastor 
in their behalf. Not only was his loss felt by his own congregation, but by 
the entire community, without regard to creed or occupation, for during the 
thirty-two years of his life in Vallejo he had won the love and respect of all 
citizens by his broad, humanitarian spirit. 

The present pastor of St. Vincent's church, Rev. Father Bernard M. 
Doogan, is a native of Ireland, born in Dublin, May 24, 1838, and the greater 
part of his education for the priesthood was obtained on this side of the At- 
lantic — in fact, in the state in which his life work has been cast. Supplement- 
ing his preparatory studies he began active preparation for the priesthood in 
the Dominican House of Studies at Benicia, Cal., and from 1866 to 1873 was 
rector of St. Bridget's church in San Francisco. In the year last mentioned 
he went to the Monastery of St. Dominic at Benicia, from there being trans- 
ferred to St. Dominic's church in San Francisco, remaining there until his 
call to St. Vincent's parish at Vallejo in 1896. Not unlike his predecessor, 
Father Doogan is a man of large heart and deep intellectuality, and is in every 
way fitted for the important office which he holds as spiritual guide and leader 
of his congregation. 



ROBERT STEWART. 

For centuries the history of the Stewart family was linked with that of 
the Scottish Highlands, and all who counted John Stewart among their friends 
call to mind the interesting accounts of his life in that picturesque country, 
famous in song and story. Born in 1822, he came to America alone during 
early life, settling first in Canada, where in 1856 he married Miss Christina 
Ferguson. Both parents are now deceased, the father dying in 1891, and the 
mother in 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years, after many happy years passed 
in California. 

It was while his parents were making their home in Dalhousie, New 
Brunswick, Canada, that Robert Stewart was born June 11, 1862, but so far 
as 1 his memory serves him he has always been a resident of California, for he 
was a child of four years when removal was made to the Pacific coast country. 
Settlement was first made in Petaluma, Sonoma county, but a year later the 
family removed to Solano county and settled at Rio Vista, where the father 
entered upon the occupation of rancher with zest. The son was educated in 
the schools of Rio Vista and as soon as he was old enough his services were 
enlisted in the care of the ranch, the duties of which had increased from year 



294 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

to year and taxed the strength of the father. The association of father and 
son continued uninterruptedly for a number of years, or until the latter was 
twenty-three years of age, when he purchased a ranch of his own in the 
vicinity of Rio Vista and carried it on for about five years. 

Mr. Stewart's identification with Suisun dates from 1890, when he dis- 
posed of his property near Rio Vista and settled on the ranch which he now 
occupies. At the time he came to the valley grain and fruit were both raised, 
but now the latter is raised almost exclusively. Mr. Stewart's orchard con- 
tains a variety of trees, such as apricots, peaches, prunes and pears. The pears 
are usually packed and shipped east, while the other fruits are chiefly dried 
on the ranch. Mr. Stewart has sixty-five acres about seven and a half miles 
from Suisun, which has been practically all reset by himself and now he has a 
full bearing orchard. 

In 1902 Robert Stewart formed domestic ties by his marriage with Miss 
Anna Marie Bailey, a native of Iowa, and their marriage has resulted in the 
birth of two children, Mary Elizabeth and Romaine. Fraternally, Mr, Stewart 
is identified with but one order, holding membership in Suisun Lodge No. 78, 
I. O. O. F. Mr. Stewart having great faith in the future success of the fruit 
industry in the valley, has made it a study and his aim has been to raise the 
fruits that are best suited to soil and climate, and, having a variety, is given 
time to harvest the crop as it matures from month to month. It is to men of 
his type who, having the interest of the community at heart, that Solano 
county owes its present state of development and prosperity. 



WADE HAMPTON LITTLE. 

Although comparatively young in years, having been born on a farm in 
Berryessa, Napa county, Cal., in 1878, Wade Hampton Little has already ac- 
quired the reputation of being one of the coming horticulturists of the Suisun 
valley. During and following his school days he acquired an experience on 
a general farm and later engaged in the hotel business with his brother in 
Monticello. In 1909 he invested his earnings in a ranch of twenty-five acres 
and has since devoted his time to the raising of prunes and apricots. One- 
half of this was set to orchard by himself and now the whole of the ranch 
is in trees. For the year of 1910 he received for his crop $1900, and the season 
was not regarded as up to the standard. He is making continual improve- 
ments on his place, and its atmosphere of neatness, thrift and progressiveness 
may well serve as inspiration to prospective ranchers. 

The family of Mr. Little was represented very early in Napa county, 
especially on the maternal side, as his mother, Mrs. Carrie Sweitzer Little, 
a native of Iowa, crossed the plains with her parents when she was only five 
years old, a child too young to appreciate either the dangers or advantages 
surrounding homeseekers who had left their all the other side of the Missis- 
sippi, and forged in an ox train of '49 towards the little known and fabulous 
west. This courageous pioneer woman's mental storehouse has parted with 
none of its treasures of memory, and she still delights the younger genera- 
tion with accounts of days of incredible hardship and incessant toil for the 
bare necessities of life. She has been a widow for many years, and still oc- 
cupies the homestead at Monticello. 

Mr. Little has no political aspirations, and while inclined towards the 
Democratic party, casts his vote for the man best fitted for the office. His 
pleasant home is presided over by his wife, formerly Emma Mangels, a native 
daughter of the Suisun valley, whom he married in April, 1909. Mrs. Little 
is the daughter of Louis Mangels, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
work. 




cMoAarQA&t c4laJmu/J 












HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 297 

JOHN CANEVASCINI. 

In the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, Mr. Canevascini was born in 
February, 1847, the son of Giacomo and Annuciata (Piantoni) Canevascini, 
who were both natives of that country, and there passed their entire lives. 
At the age of twenty-two years, in 1869. he came to the United States, land- 
ing on the Atlantic coast, and from there coming to California. From San 
Francisco he came soon afterward to Solano county, finding employment in a 
vineyard ; he also built twelve miles of fence in Monterey county. All of this 
experience was of untold value to him, not only giving a much-needed in- 
come, but giving him an excellent opportunity to see the country at the same 
time. In 1877 he purchased property near Suisun, and this has been his home 
ever since. His ranch comprises six acres and is planted to vines and fruit 
exclusively. 

Mr. Canevascini's marriage united him with Miss Rosa Nessi, who had 
come to this country from Switzerland in 1877, the year of their marriage. 
Two children were born of this union, but only one is now living, Ida, at home 
with her parents. 

MRS. MARGARET MATHEWS. 

If Mrs. Mathews could be prevailed upon to write a detailed account of 
her life it would be found interesting reading for old and young alike, begin- 
ning with her voyage across the Atlantic in young womanhood and followed 
by early experiences in the new and undeveloped west, her residence in Solano 
county covering half a century. Although she has reached an age when 
average persons would consider themselves eligible to the retired list, Mrs. 
Mathews possesses a temperament too energetic to permit of idleness or 
inactivity and each day finds her ready to take care of her varied business inter- 
ests which have engaged her attention all these years and assumed such large 
proportions. A native of Londonderry, Ireland, Miss Margaret Anderson, 
as she was known before her marriage, came to the United States in young 
womanhood, in 1856, the voyage on the sailing vessel Franklin Sister con- 
suming five weeks and four days. From the port of landing Miss Anderson 
went to Philadelphia, Pa., remaining there for about five years, when, in 1861, 
she made the journey to San Francisco, and during the same year occurred her 
marriage to Mr. Mathews. 

Thomas Mathews is still remembered among the old-time settlers of 
Vallejo, where he settled in the early '50s and where he continued to make 
his home throughout the remainder of his life, content with whatever condi- 
tions fell to his lot. This happy, wholesome faculty of adapting one's self 
to conditions gracefully proved a valuable asset to Thomas Mathews when 
he came to California in youth, ignorant of the ways of the world, but deter- 
mined to meet conditions bravely and prove to himself and to others that he 
had made no mistake in taking up life on the Pacific coast. One of the 
pioneers of the early '50s, he came directly to Solano county, and in the imme- 
diate vicinity of his first location he passed the remainder of his life. Before 
Mare Island was taken over by the United States government he settled on 
the island and for many years gave faithful service as watchman at the navy 
yard. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mathews settled near Vallejo, where 
they established and conducted what was known as the Three-Mile House, 
on the Napa road. This was a famous place for refreshment and rest for 
travelers during the early days, and many are the pioneers still living who 
can recall the hospitality freely dispensed at this well-known hostelry, which 

16 



298 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

could well be compared to an oasis on a desert. Many a stranded wayfarer 
who came to them enjoyed the same comforts as those who were able to pay 
for their accommodation, it being an unwritten law with Mr. and Mrs. 
Mathews to turn no one away hungry, and in spite of their seeming unbounded 
hospitality and generosity they were not impoverished thereby, but apparently 
prospered the more. The property upon which they then settled has been 
added to by purchase from time to time until it now consists of nine hundred 
acres of very valuable land, which Mrs. Mathews now leases to ranchers 
engaged in the dairy and cattle business. 

Mrs. Mathews is an exceptionally clever business woman and was an 
invaluable assistant to her husband in the maintenance of the hostelry during 
early days. Besides owning the ranch already mentioned, she is the owner 
and proprietor of the well-known Harbin Springs resort in Lake county, 
besides which she owns valuable real estate in the city of Vallejo. Mr. and 
Mrs. Mathews were both particularly averse to all games of chance, especially 
card-playing, disapproving of the practice so strongly that they did not allow 
card-playing in their hotel, nor indeed any other pastime that would suggest 
gambling or chance. Mr. Mathews passed away in Vallejo, July 22, 1897, 
mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who had learned to 
love and honor him for his noble traits of character that ennobled all lives 
that came in contact with his own. 



JAMES SLOAN. 

By virtue of a life of honorable action, Mr. Sloan is enabled to spend 
in retrospection many moments free from regret, secure in the knowledge 
that at all times his efforts were directed by conscientious ambition and sterl- 
ing integrity. He has materially aided in the development of Vallejo, having 
resided in that community for the past forty-five years, and enjoys the uni- 
versal respect of his fellow-citizens. 

Born August 2, 1829, near Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland, James Sloan 
is the son of William and Margaret (Esler) Sloan. In 1852 he immigrated 
to Buffalo, N. Y., and for a short time clerked in a store. In the fall of that 
year he enlisted in Company C, Fourth United States Infantry, serving in 
subsequent Indians wars in Washington territory. In 1857 he was honorably 
discharged, being physically unfit for duty, having received several wounds, 
including an injury in his right breast. Upon his return to Buffalo he en- 
gaged in the grocery business, and while in that city witnessed the passing 
of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train in 1865. 

Mr. Sloan was united in marriage July 7, 1859, in Niagara Falls, Canada, 
with Miss Annie Eliza Fosler, a native of that city, and a daughter of Cor- 
nelius Fosler, whose birth occurred in Somerset, England, and who became 
a carpenter and builder in Niagara Falls, Canada. His wife, formerly Mary 
Kerr, was born in the north of Ireland and both passed away in Canada. 
Three daughters were born to them, Mrs. Sloan being the eldest. In 1867 
Mr. and Mrs. Sloan removed to Vallejo, Cal., where the former was employed 
in the Mare Island Navy Yard until he retired, and with his wife is now re- 
siding in their comfortable home at No. 945 York street. 

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sloan : Mary Helen, now Mrs. 
H. W. Clark, of Globe, Ariz., who has one son, Henry ; Margaret Esler, wife 
of Capt. Otto J. Johnson, who has three children ; Julius, a graduate of Vallejo 
high school and now employed in the auditing department of the Southern 
Pacific Railroad, Harold and Esler; Sarah Jane, now Mrs. George L. Rogers 
of Edenvale, Cal. ; and James Esler, of Oxnard, Cal., who has three daughters, 
Bernice Helen, Annie Elizabeth and Ardis. Mr. Sloan is a stanch Republican 
and, with his wife, is a member of the Vallejo Episcopal Church. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 299 

CHARLES M. TURNER. 

Not the least of the legacies left Solano county by its early pioneers are 
the sons who bear their names and painstakingly carry on their work. Some- 
thing of the iron of these courageous settlers has entered into the lives of 
their progeny, who, placed in entirely different and less exacting circum- 
stances, fulfil their destiny with equally commendable zeal and conscientious- 
ness. Charles M. Turner was born August 19, 1855, on the place in the 
Armejo Grant where his father first settled, and which adjoins the place he 
now owns. 

A native of the south, William H. Turner was born in Mecklenburg 
county, Va., December 27, 1816, and in 1838 he went to Cape Girardeau 
county. Mo. There, on July 23, 1839, he married Susan J. Elliott, a native 
of Granville county, N. C. For about seven years after their marriage they 
made their home in Cape Girardeau county, and then located in St. Clair 
county, 111., in both of which places Mr. Turner followed farming. During 
1850 he crossed the plains to California, and for the first five months followed 
mining in the vicinity of Nevada City. From there he went to Red Bar, 
Trinity county, and continued mining until 1851, when he returned east. On 
the return trip in the following year he brought his wife and six children 
across the plains, the ox-team journey coming to an end in Suisun, Solano 
county, August 28. 1852. Four miles north of town he settled on a farm and 
built a house of timber that he hauled from the Napa redwoods. Eventually, 
in 1871, he was dispossessed of this ranch and the improvements. In the 
meantime, in 1860, he had purchased and located on the ranch which con- 
tinued to be his home until his death, a place of two hundred and thirty-eight 
acres about four miles northwest of Suisun. Here his wife died October 11, 
1867. Three more children were added to the family after removal was made 
to California, but of the nine children born to them only one is living, Charles 
M.. the subject of this article. On September 27, 1871, Mr. Turner married 
Salina J. Rogers, like himself a native of Mecklenburg county, Va. She died 
June 1, 1884, having become the mother of six children, of whom three are 
now living: George R., a horticulturist of the Suisun valley, of whom a 
sketch will be found elsewhere; Leland J., employed in Benicia; and Virgil 
F., of San Jose. William H. Turner paid in the first money at the land office 
in Solano county. 

Charles M. Turner was educated in the public schools and followed 
farming with his father until his marriage, then removing to his present place, 
to which he has added one hundred and sixty acres, making a ranch of three 
hundred and twenty acres five miles north of Suisun. A large portion of the 
land is devoted to raising grain and hay, besides which he has twenty-seven 
acres in prunes, and he also raises hogs and mules for the market. 

The marriage of Charles M, Turner, November 2, 1884, united him with 
Alice Boynton, who was born on the old Boynton place, one and a half miles 
west of Fairfield. She is the daughter of Harrison and Frances C. (Farwell) 
Boynton, born in Lyme and East Jaffery, N. H., respectively. In 1849 Mr. 
Boynton started for the gold mines of California and arrived the following 
year. Returning east he was married in Boston in 1854. Coming again to 
the west, he became an old settler and prominent farmer near Fairfield, where 
his wife died in 1902, and where he also passed away in 1907. Mrs. Turner 
was educated in the public schools and in Nana Seminary. Of the two chil- 
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, the eldest, Frank E.. died at the age of 
eight years. Henry B., born in 1886, is a graduate of the Vacaville high school 
and is still at home with his parents. Mr. Turner has subscribed to the prin- 
ciples of the Republican Darty since the beginning of his voting days, and 
latterly he has been prominent in the councils of the same, serving in various 
local capacities, and doing effective work as a member of the school board. 



300 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

His personal qualifications are of the practical kind ; he has push, determina- 
tion, and rare common sense, and is an effectual exponent of scientific farm- 
ing and harmonious country living. 



WILLIAM HIGGINS. 

Among those who have lifted themselves from small beginnings into 
prominence and success as general farmers and land-owners is William Hig- 
gins, whose farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Suisun township, Solano 
county, affords expression of his intelligent industry and progressiveness. 
Primarily he is interested in dairying on a large scale, but a portion of his 
land is devoted to fruit and grain raising. 

Mr. Higgins was fifteen years old when he felt County Limerick, Ireland, 
where he was born in 1835. For eight years he was variously employed in 
Massachusetts, principally as a boat hand, and in the fall of 1860 he came to 
California by way of Panama, bringing with him his wife, formerly Elizabeth 
Egan, whom he married August 19, 1860, and who also is a native of Ireland. 
The parents of Mrs. Higgins died in Ireland during the first years of the young 
couple's residence in this state, while Mr. Higgins' mother died several years 
previous to the passing of his father, Lawrence Higgins, in 1865, at the age 
of eighty-four years. William Higgins landed in San Francisco from 
Panama, and two months later came to Solano county, where he found employ- 
ment on a farm. Later he engaged in contract work of various kinds, and at 
the end of fifteen years had saved enough to purchase his present farm in 
Suisun township. He is interestingiy reminiscent of the early days of the 
locality and recalls having shot deer and other game at a time when the 
scarcity of his income made it essential for the maintenance of life. 

In political affiliations Mr. Higgins is a Democrat, but his vote is influ- 
enced largely by the character and fitness of the candidate. As road overseer 
for many years he had much to do towards the present fine condition of the 
public highways of the township, and as school trustee he has lent practical 
assistance to the establishment of a high grade of instruction. Mr. and Mrs. 
Higgins became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living : Law- 
rence, born in 1862, a farmer of Green valley, this state ; Minnie, born in 1864, 
wife of George Kenlock, a resident of Suisun ; Kate F.. born in 1866, wife of 
James Clayton, of Berkeley; Sarah, born in 1868, the wife of Daniel H. White, 
of Fairfield; William Higgins, Jr., born in 1871, and an employe of the Union 
Iron Works Company, of San Francisco ; and Josephine, the wife of Philip 
Winkleman. a farmer of Shasta county. John Robert Higgins, the sixth 
oldest of the children, born in 1873, was killed by a railroad train in Berkeley 
in 1905. and Eugene Higgins died in infancy. 



CHARLES HENRY NEITZEL. 

As assistant manager of the wholesale commission business of the Stewart 
Fruit Company, at Suisun, Charles Henry Neitzel enjoys merited prestige and 
authority as an expert in his line, and as a dependable promoter of the highest 
possible standards of horticulture. Both education and special training have 
fitted him for his work, as well as local pride engendered through almost life- 
long association with Suisun township. Inheriting the practical traits of 
Teutonic forefathers, he was born in Rockville, Solano county, November 14, 
1863. and received the common school education afforded in Suisun township. 
His earliest recollections center around his father's ranching enterprise, and a 
different kind of experience grew out of his apprenticeship to a blacksmith, 
which trade he subsequently combined with farming. Beginning with his 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 303 

thirty-seventh year he operated the home place in partnership with his brother, 
and was thus employed until actively engaging in the fruit business in his 
present capacity. 

The name of Neitzel first became known to the residents of Solano county 
through the arrival here in 1854 of Frank Egan Neitzel, father of Charles 
Henry, who was born in Germany, and immigrated to the United States at 
the agre of sixteen years. The elder Neitzel has justified the reputation of his 
countrymen at large for practical and thrifty endeavor, and though now 
approaching his eightieth year, maintains oversight of his ranch which for so 
many years has borne testimony to his industry. His wife, who is now 
seventy-nine years of age, was in maidenhood Johanna Higgins, and is a sister 
of William Higgins of Green valley, 

October 10, 1901, Charles Henry Neitzel was united in marriage to Cora 
Gordon, a native of Shasta county, this state, and of the union there are two 
children : Isabella, born November 24. 1902, and Catherine Louise, born 
January 24, 1908. Politically Mr. Neitzel is a Democrat. Agreeable and 
straightforward, having excellent business faculty and judgment, he takes a 
lively interest in the educational and general interests of the community. 



HON. REUBEN CLARK. 

So much of- Mr. Clark's life has been passed in California that he has 
little recollection of any other home. His earliest memory, however, is of a 
country home in Chickasaw county, Iowa, where he was born December 16, 
1855. the son of Abraham and Electa Jane (Snider) Clark, of whom a sketch 
will be found on another page. He lived in Iowa until about eight years of 
age, when the family crossed the plains to California, parents and children and 
household effects being conveyed in wagons drawn by horse teams. Pri- 
marily educated in the country schools of Chickasaw county, Iowa, after reach- 
ing the west Mr. Clark continued his studies and completed his education 
by taking a twelve-month course in Pierce Christian College. It is but just 
to say that he made the best use of his opportunities, and at the age of twenty 
years, when many youths were still in school, he was deep in the cares of 
business as manager of a twelve-thousand-acre ranch in Colusa county. This 
was the well-known Stovall ranch at Williams, which he plowed from the 
virgin soil, and upon which he remained for seventeen years, during this time 
gaining the reputation of raising more grain than any other man of his age. In 
garnering his grain he ran three combined harvesters, propelled by thirty-two 
mules. 

Since 1892 Mr. Clark has been located in the Berryessa valley engaged 
in farming and stock-raising, and it is safe to say that in the vicinity of 
Monticello, or in fact in Napa county, there are few ranchers more successful 
than is he. Persevering and energetic by nature and temperament, he knows 
no such word as fail, and while his experiences have not been unmarked by 
many trials and disappointments, his large vision and hopeful spirit have 
buoyed him on to success. He is now renting an estate of about twelve 
hundred acres, of which one thousand acres are pasture land, for the lessee 
is interested in stock-raising. He has several valuable stallions, forty-five 
head of work stock, one hundred and thirty-five horses and mules, and four 
hundred head of hogs. The old residence on the ranch was erected by Mr. 
Clark's father during the years 1880 and 1881, an immense structure contain- 
ing twenty-two rooms. A part of the old adobe house is also still standing. 

Mr. Clark's marriage in 1883 united him with a native daughter of the 
state. Miss Cordelia Stovall, and the following children were born to them : 
Elmer R., born February 28, 1884, and Foster, March 30, 1886. Shortly after 



304 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the birth of the second son the wife and mother died, on June 1, 1886. In 
1898 Mr. Clark was married to Miss Lulu Danner, of Colusa, and four children 
have been born of this marriage: Dorris V., Reuben Curtis, Agnes and 
Meredith B. The eldest of Mr. Clark's children, Dr. Elmer R. Clark, is an 
osteopathic physician, practicing at Oakdale, Stanislaus county. 

While a resident of Colusa county Mr. Clark joined the Masonic fra- 
ternity, becoming a charter member of Tuscan Lodge No. 261 at Williams, 
and he is also a member of Colusa Chapter, R. A. M., and of Colusa Com- 
mandery No. 24, K. T. Honors came to Mr. Clark in 1882, when he was 
elected a member of the legislature, representing Colusa and Tehama counties 
in the assembly, and serving in the session of 1883 and the extra session of 
1884. He was active in securing needed legislation for his district and was a 
member of several committees. As a mark of appreciation of his services his 
fellow-citizens endeavored to retain him as their representative in the legisla- 
ture, but he refused to accept the candidacy in 1884, and in 1886 he refused 
to be a candidate for the state senate, preferring private to public life. All 
his life he has been a stanch Democrat and has been a member of the Demo- 
cratic state central committee. Mr. Clark is one of the type of men of which 
the world has all too few. Under all circumstances he has proven master of 
himself and all who are brought in contact with him feel the impulse of his 
strong and purposeful mind. 



CHARLES THEODORE CLARK. 

The proprietor of "Folly Rocks" ranch, near Napa, Charles T. Clark was 
born in Ohio City, Ohio, December 14, 1837, a son of Castmor H. and Mary 
E. (Stockwell) Clark. The former was born in Vermont and his father, Harri- 
son Clark, was a native of New York state and a prominent contractor and 
builder for over sixty years in Rochester, where he died. C. H. Clark was 
reared in Rochester, N. Y., and also followed contracting and building. He 
later moved to Ohio, where he was married, and still later removed to Oak 
Creek, Milwaukee, Wis., which remained his home from 1841 until 1850, when 
he crossed the plains to California. Two years afterward he returned to 
Wisconsin and in 1853 brought his family by the Nicaragua route to San 
Francisco. He located on Broadway between Taylor and Jones streets and 
became one of the pioneer builders in San Francisco. In 1858 he purchased 
one thousand acres in Napa county, five miles from Napa, and located on 
what was called Napa de Arroyo. He improved the ranch and for many years 
carried on general agricultural pursuits with good success. Finally he sold 
out and retired to private life, d} r ing in Napa at the age of ninety-five years 
and seven months. His wife was a daughter of Leonard Stockwell and a 
native of New York state. Mr. Stockwell was drum major under General 
Scott in the war of 1812. He was a pioneer of Wisconsin of 1840, developing 
a farm at Oak Creek. He spent his last days in Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. 
Clark came of a very musical family and she was an accomplished vocalist 
and pianist. She died at Oak Creek. Of the four children born of this mar- 
riage three grew to maturity and two are now living. C. H. Clark married 
the second time, Mrs. Elenore Helsert Mount, a native of Toledo, Ohio; she 
died in Napa. Of this marriage three children are living. 

Charles Theodore Clark was the second child by his father's first marriage 
and was reared and educated in Wisconsin from the age of fourteen until 1853, 
when he accompanied his family to California and after locating in San Fran- 
cisco, attended the public schools there. He learned the builder's trade under 
his father's direction and in 1856 he first came to Napa county, permanently 
locating here in 1858. In 1860 he began contracting and building, which busi- 
ness he has since followed with the exception of the time spent in prospecting 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 305 

and mining in Butte, Tuolumne and Mono countries, Cal., and in Nevada. 
He built a beautiful home on a tract of three and one-half acres one and one- 
half miles from Napa, on West First street, a romantic place known as "Idle- 
wild" and improved with fruits. 

Mr. Clark was married in Napa to Miss Lucretia Hogle, a native of Jeffer- 
son City, Mo., and who came across the plains to California in 1853 with her 
parents. Of this union six children have been born : George P., a real estate 
dealer in Lancaster, Cal. ; Frank C, a physician in Los Angeles ; Edwin C, in 
the postal service in Aberdeen, Wash.; Robert A., a contractor and builder in 
Hoquiam, Wash.; Ella J. and Susie. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are both adherents 
to the doctrines of the Christian Church. Mr. Clark is a prohibitionist and 
has taken a very active part in advocating the platform of this political party. 
For fifty-five years he has been a resident of Napa county and during this 
period has taken an active part in civic affairs and has exerted his influence 
for the real betterment of the county. 



WILLIAM H. MORRISON. 

Born at Dundee. Monroe county, Mich., June 7, 1854, Mr. Morrison was 
only one year old when his father, Josiah C. Morrison, bade farewell to the 
family and started alone for the unknown but alluring west. Four years later, 
deciding to remain in California permanently, he sent to Michigan for the 
family, so that the son was a child of five years when he accompanied his 
mother via the Panama route to the Pacific coast. Landing at San Francisco 
they proceeded to Sierra county and the boy was sent to a public school at 
Downieville. When removal was made to San Francisco he attended the 
Lincoln grammar school, where he was one of the very first pupils. Ambitious 
to earn his own livelihood, he secured work as a newsboy with a leading San 
Francisco daily. The route over which he delivered the paper extended from 
Seconu street to the water front and the circulation at that time was only six 
hundred and fifty copies. 

During 1870 the family removed to Napa county and the father is still a 
resident of the county, where he has a high standing as an honored pioneer 
and energetic citizen, and where in the years of his activity he engaged 
extensively in the dairy business. When the son started out for himself he 
worked as a rancher and on two occasions he worked in Oregon, but in 1882, 
at the time of his marriage, he settled on the ranch in Solano county, where he 
still makes his home. The tract is one of the most fertile in the famed Suisun 
valley. A specialty is made of fruit and with the exception of twenty-five 
acres in grain the entire property aggregating one hundred and seventeen 
acres is under cultivation to fruit trees of the choicest varieties. Having found 
horticulture more profitable than stock-raising he has given little attention 
to the latter department of agriculture, but devotes his time principally to the 
care of the trees and the harvesting of the fruit. 

The marriage of W. H. Morrison united him with Miss Frances McEwen, 
a native of Ohio. Nine children were born to them, all still living with the 
exception of Florence, who died in infancy. The eldest member of the 
family, Emily C, is the wife of Albert Kerr. Three sons, W. J., C. E-, and 
D. B., are married and reside in the Suisun valley, where they are well known 
as representatives of the sturdy and energetic younger element of the citizen- 
ship. J. H., who. is still single, resides with his parents. Bessie E. is her 
mother's capable assistant, while the others. Gladys and Julian, are attending 
grammar school. A thorough believer in education, Mr. Morrison has will- 
ingly aided all movements for the upbuilding of the local schools and has 
served with efficiency as trustee of the same. Never has he turned a deaf 
ear to those in sorrow or sickness, but always he has been a helper and a 



306 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

thoughtful neighbor. A hard-working man and a quiet but public-spirited 
citizen, he belongs to that class whose citizenship has been indispensable to 
the betterment of the county and state. 

james f. Mclaughlin. 

The life whose varying experiences this chronicle briefly depicts began 
at Manchester, Hartford county, Conn., July 17, 1838. The family has been 
represented in the new world for a number of generations and has borne an 
honorable part in our national growth ever since the original emigrant 
crossed the ocean to brave the dangers of an unknown land. Tradition de- 
clares that the ancestry came from Scotland, but was forced to flee to Ireland 
at the time of the religious persecutions, which exiled many of the oldest 
clans of the kingdom. Michael McLaughlin was born November 10, 1810, 
and died in 1895, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Rose Fagen, 
passed away in 1888. Their son, James F., went with them into the city of 
Hartford during the year 1846 and there attended school for a brief period. 
After one year at Hartford the family removed to New Haven. When he 
left school at the age of fourteen he stood at the head of his class, and had 
acquired a fund of information sufficiently broad to enable him to later teach 
school with gratifying success. 

The first employment secured by Mr. McLaughlin was that of an ap- 
prentice to the clockmaker's trade under Chauncey Jerome, who established 
the first clock factory in the United States, and was the inventor of the first 
brass clock. At work in the same room with the young apprentice was Seth 
Thomas, who afterward became the most noted clockmaker in the entire 
world. During the autumn of 1854 P. T. Barnum, famous in circus history, 
formed a stock company with Chauncey Jerome and they manufactured 
ninety thousand clocks per month, building up a business of national im- 
portance. A dislike for factory work and a desire to see the great west led 
Mr. McLaughlin to leave the old home in 1855, at which time he became a 
pioneer of Wisconsin. During July of 1858 he went still further west and 
at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., entered the government service, being sent to 
Fort Smith in December of the same year. During the summers of 1859 
and 1860 he engaged in fighting the Indians and served under Major Sedg- 
wick and Captain Sturgis. While still working for the government he was 
imprisoned at Fort Smith and sentenced to be shot, but fortunately the sen- 
tence was changed to imprisonment at the very last moment of suspense. 
Upon being released from prison in August, 1863, he enlisted with the First 
United States Engineers, and remained in the army until March 18, 1866, 
when he received his final discharge and left the service with an enviable 
record for courage and faithfulness. During the fall of 1865 he helped to 
build two bridges across the Rio Grande river and from there he was sent to 
Mobile bay, where an explosion wrecked his ship and caused a heavy loss 

For some time after the war Mr. McLaughlin remained in Texas, but in 
1874 he returned to Wisconsin and there he continued to make his home for 
ten years, meanwhile helping to build the first bridge over the Wisconsin 
river. During 1884 he started for California, but en route stopped at Win- 
slow, Ariz., and worked at the carpenter's trade. Next he made brief so- 
journs in the Santa Clara valley of California and in Solano county, working 
as a carpenter in both localities as well as in other parts of the state. Later 
he worked at his trade in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., whence he returned 
to the east for a sojourn of four years and then came back to California to 
establish a permanent home, since which time he has lived in the Suisun 
valley. Politically he is a Democrat and cast his first presidential ballot for 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 309 

Stephen A. Douglas. For one-half ccntur\ or more lie has been identified 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for a long period he also has 
affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic. 



WILLIAM J. TORMFY. 

In tracing the family history of Vallejo's chief executive we find that 
generations of the name had flourished on the Emerald Isle and that the immi- 
grant to the new world was William Tormey, the father of William J. Born 
in Ireland in 1848. William Tormey came to the United States in 1867, and to 
California in 1868. Coming direct to Xapa county, he first found employment 
with his relatives. Tormey & Fagan, wealthy cattlemen and large land owners 
in Suscol. Subsequently he secured a position with A. J. Murphy in the 
grocery business in Vallejo. and in 1869. with Thomas Burke as a partner, 
he purchased Mr. Murphy's interest, and thereafter business was carried on 
under the name of Tormey & Burke, their store being located on Georgia 
street near the wharf. Some time later Mr. Tormey bought out his partner's 
interest in the business and ran it alone for several years, or until selling it 
out in 1878. Later he established himself in the ice manufacturing business, 
continuing this until 1883, when he removed to Sacramento, where he held a 
number of responsible positions under the secretary of state, T. L. Thompson. 
Returning to Vallejo. here he was again in public office, in 1887 being ap- 
pointed to the office of chief clerk in the steam engineering department at 
Mare Island navy yard, remaining there for two years. In 1889 he became 
proprietor of the Astor House, in addition to which he also conducted a profit- 
able wood and coal business, continuing this until his death in 1894. In the 
'70s he was city assessor of Vallejo for several terms and also served as a 
school director and was acting superintendent of schools for a number of 
years. In addition to the offices mentioned, he also at one time served as 
city trustee. His marriage in 1872 united him with Fannie E. Bromley, a 
native of Benicia. and the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Bromley, pioneer 
settlers in that city. She died in 1902. at the early age of forty-five years. 
Eight children were born of their marriage, as follows: William J., Fannie, 
Ella, Mary, Raymond. Rose, Genevieve and a son who died in infancy. 

The eldest child in the parental family. William J. Tormey, was born in 
Vallejo. June 15. 1875, and he obtained his education in the public schools here 
and in Sacramento Institute. Later he took a course in Heald's Business 
College, from which he graduated in 1894. It w r as while he was assisting his 
father in the management of the Astor House that his name came into promi- 
nence as the candidate on the Independent ticket for the office of city auditor 
and assessor, to which he was elected in 1902, a position in which he gave 
entire satisfaction, but which he resigned on April 15, 1903, to accept the 
appointment of city clerk to fill out the unexpired term of T. J. O'Hara, re- 
signed. In 1904 he was elected city clerk, and was his own successor in 1906 
by his re-election to the same office. In November of that year he was nomi- 
nated as the candidate for county auditor of Solano county on the Democratic 
ticket, and his election for a four-year term followed. Resigning the office of 
city clerk, he took his seat as county auditor in January, 1907, serving until 
April. 1908, when the affairs in the city clerk's office had become so involved 
that he was induced by the city trustees to again accept the city clerkship. 
which he did after resigning the office of county auditor. He took up the 
duties of city clerk and in 1910, under the new primary law. received the 
nomination of both parties and was duly elected and served acceptably until 
the new commission form of charter took effect, in May. 1911. and at the first 
primary under the new charter was a candidate for mayor of Vallejo. being 



310 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

elected to the office with a majority of nearly one thousand votes over the 
Socialist candidate. The people have every confidence in him and feel sure 
of his loyal support of the highest ideals that make for good government. He 
took the oath of office as mayor July 1, 1911, for a term of four years, and 
since then his time has been fully occupied with the management of the new 
system of city government. The following from the Vallejo Times indicates 
unmistakably the high opinion his fellow citizens have of him : "And 'Billy' 
Tormey, honest, capable, efficient, obliging 'Billy' Tormey, is the first mayor 
of Greater Vallejo. Not by a plurality, not by a scant majority, but by a vote 
of more than two to one, a majority so big and so grand that those of the 
opposition are surprised and dumbfounded. William J. Tormey, the candidate 
of all the people, the candidate of no class, of no clique, no organization or no 
set of men, was yesterday elected to the highest position of honor and trust 
within the gift of the electors of this great municipality, Vallejo by the Navy 
Yard." 

In San Francisco, in 1909, Mr. Tormey was married to Miss Agnes M. 
Higgins, a native of that city. In addition to his municipal duties, Mr. Tormey 
is interested in a number of enterprises, among them the Vallejo Building and 
Loan Association, of which he is vice-president. He is also a prominent figure 
in fraternal and social organizations, being a member of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks ; Vallejo Parlor No. 77, N. S. G. W., of which he is 
past president and is now treasurer; past dictator of Vallejo Lodge No. 468, 
Loyal Order of Moose; Knights of Columbus, Royal Arcanum, and the Samo- 
set Tribe, I.'O. R. M. 



THOMAS DICKSON. 

During the first half of the nineteenth century a young- Scotchman, 
WilHam Dickson, left the land of his nativity and the home of his progenitors 
to seek hoped-for fortune in the new world across the seas. Chance directed 
his steps to Canada and he settled in that fertile strip of country lying between 
lakes Erie and Huron, where he took up an unimproved tract of land and fol- 
lowed farming. In his new location he formed the acquaintance of a young 
Canadian girl, Jannet Larkin, who was born in 1826. Their son, Thomas, born 
at the home place in county Oxford, Canada, in 1851, was only three years of 
age when the father was taken from the family circle by death, in 1854. 
Afterward -the widow married again and eventually with her second husband 
came to California, where she died January 5, 1909, at the age of eighty-two 
years and two months. 

The public schools of Ontario afforded Thomas Dickson fair opportu- 
nities for acquiring- an education sufficient for the transaction of all business 
affairs. From early life he was familiar with farming and depended upon 
such work as a source of livelihood. Just before he left Canada for the 
United States, in 1878, he was married to Miss Jane Melrose, who was born in 
Perth, a county adjoining Oxford. Her parents were born, reared and married 
in Scotland. They crossed the ocean to Canada and settled in county Perth, 
where she was born and educated. The father made a trip to Scotland and 
died there. The wedding tour of the young couple consisted of a trip from 
the old Canadian home to California. With them came three brothers of Mr. 
Dickson, their mother and stepfather. 

After his arrival in this state Mr. Dickson and his wife lived with an uncle 
for a few months. Meanwhile he investigated conditions and property. 
Finally he bought three hundred acres in the Suisun valley four miles north 
of that city and here since 1879 he has made his home, meanwhile improving 
the property with needed buildings and engaging in the raising of grain and 
stock. As a farmer he is a believer in the maintenance of soil fertility and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 311 

considers it necessary for that purpose to keep an adequate supply of stock on 

the laiul. 

The eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Dickson is Margaret M., the wife of 
William C. Hale, a farmer in the Suisun valley. Mr. and Mrs. Hale are the 
parents of one child. The second daughter in the Dickson family is Agnes 
Elvie, a graduate of the Armejo high school and now a teacher in the grammar 
schools of that place. Ernest E. Dickson, educated in the local schools and the 
Polytechnic College at Oakland, is now assisting his father on the home place. 
Lester A. is a graduate of the Armejo high school. The children are natives 
i->i the valley and all have received good educational advantages, for Mr. 
Dickson is a stanch believer in education and has himself rendered effective 
service as a member fi the school board. Politically he is a Republican. 



JAMES C. WELLS. 

Tyler county. \Y. Va.. was the native home of James C. Wells, and De- 
cember, 1821. the date oi his birth. The family was a race of frontiersmen. 
Nature had endowed them with the qualities needed by all pioneers and they 
were happiest when carving out homes from the dense forests or breaking 
up the virgin soil o\ the vast prairies. The travels of the young Virginian 
began when he was ten years of age, his parents seeking a home in the then 
wilderness of Ohio, where he aided in bringing under cultivation a tract of 
raw land. Later on he took up agricultural pursuits for himself. During 
1855 he moved from Ohio to Iowa and settled near Marion, Linn county, 
where he remained for nine years. Meanwhile a purpose had been growing 
in his mind and a resolution to remove to the west finally deepened into 
action. 

\ start was made across the plains April 27, 1864, Mr. Wells bringing 
his wife and two children, and at the expiration of an eventful journey Vaca- 
ville was reached on the 14th of x\ugust. All along the way guards were 
stationed at night to protect the emigrants and the stock, but fortunately the 
Indians did not molest the party, although they annoyed the train just ahead 
of them as well as the one immediately behind. Stock was stolen and left 
on the north side of the Platte river, where it was retaken by soldiers 
of the standing army and returned to the rightful owners. The route took 
the emigrants through the rough country of the Black Hills and on to Salt 
Lake. Two of the party had gone west before and were of the greatest aid 
in giving suggestions as to directions of travel. On the 4th of July they 
camped near Salt Lake and were visited by Brigham Young and his family, 
as well as many of his people. Evidences of his power were apparent on 
every hand and the Gentiles were as deeply impressed as he could have de- 
sired. The expedition camped for a time at Donner lake, where the ill-fated 
Dormer party had endured indescribable sufferings from hunger and ex- 
posure. The later expedition, fortunately, had only the ordinary discomforts 
to endure and safely reached Virginia City, where the train was divided, a 
number going to Oregon, while others sought different points in California. 
With kindly feelings and sad farewells the party disbanded, never to meet 
a<jain. 

For two years Mr. Wells rented land near Yacavillc, after which he 
moved to Dixon and bought three hundred and twenty acres, paying $1400 
for the tract. A volunteer crop of wheat came up. which, on being harvested, 
produced fourteen hundred sacks. A severe windstorm in 1867 caused a 
heavy loss in grain and the next year the land was sold for $6,000 cash. Mr. 
Wells then coming to Elmira and buying one hundred and sixty acres for 

00. The farm is now owned by his widow, who was Accia Wells, a native 



312 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, March 4, 1851, and two children, 
a son and daughter, blessed their union. Bazleel died at the age of twenty- 
four, and Florence B. died when thirty-two years old. With the exception 
of ten acres in alfalfa the land is entirely in grain and is rented to desirable 
tenants, although Mrs. Wells, since the death of her husband in 1880, has 
personally superintended the property with skill and judgment. Well posted 
concerning political questions, she is as staunch in her advocacy of Republican 
principles as was Mr. Wells; also, like him, she has been active in the work 
of the Grange and is further identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. 



GEORGE WEBER. 

From the time of his birth, which occurred in Germany, October 14, 1850, 
until his emigration at the age of nineteen years, Mr. Weber remained an 
inmate of the home of his parents, Joseph and Catherine Weber, whose humble 
cottage sheltered twelve children. The majority of these remained in the 
old country, the only one besides George to come to the United States having 
been Morris, now a resident of Michigan. On coming to the United States, 
George Weber spent three years in Defiance county, Ohio, going from there 
to the Lake Superior region of Michigan, where he was employed in the iron 
mines. In 1875 he came as far west as Nevada, and two years later he came 
to California. Securing employment as a miner, he followed this for twenty- 
six years, during the greater part of that time working in the Cracker Hill 
mine, a hydraulic plant fitted out with the most improved machinery of that 
era, and worked to such advantage that on an average every thirty days from 
$1,500 to $3,000 was taken out by the owners. In the old river channel there 
was found a nugget worth $95. Another discovery made by Mr. Weber, as 
he walked along the old channel, was that of a honeycomb of petrified rock, 
and it attracted considerable attention throughout the state. 

In later years Mr. Weber gave up mining and took up agriculture in the 
Napa valley, where he has since remained, contented with the environment 
and satisfied with the results of his work. Shortly after his arrival he bought 
twenty-six acres of land near St. Helena. The most important feature of the 
little place is a vineyard of seven acres, from which in the year 1911 he har- 
vested forty tons of grapes of superior quality. The output of grapes is 
usually large and the prices excellent. The portion of his land not included 
in the vineyard is under cultivation to grain, principally oats, which yield large 
harvests per acre. Mr. Weber is a communicant of the Roman Catholic 
Church, and politically is a Republican. 



WILLIAM RADCLIFFE. 

One may boldly make the statement that there is no state in the Union 
claiming a more cosmopolitan population than does California, and to this 
may be added the statement that among this vast and varied population few 
indeed are those who hail from the Isle of Man. This distinction, however, 
belongs to Mr. Radcliffe, who was born on this island February 4, 1826, but 
his earliest recollections are not of his birthplace, but rather of Geauga county, 
Ohio, whither his parents removed when he was a child of thirteen months. 
When he was a lad of ten years the removal of the family home to Essex 
county, Canada, was a delightful and interesting experience which he often 
calls to mind. His education was begun in Ohio and completed in Canada. 

With a thorough knowledge of farming as conducted in Canada, Mr. 
Radcliffe came to California in 1875 and settled in Solano county seven miles 
north of Suisun, and the ranch which he then purchased has been his home 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 315 

ever since. This consists of one hundred and sixty acres of land well suited 
to the purposes to which it is devoted, fruit-raising being his specialty. Of 
the sixty acres under cultivation, twenty acres are in fruit, and it is his purpose 
to put the remainder oi the land into fruit as rapidly as possible. The land 
which is as vet not under cultivation is used as pasture land for his cattle, the 
raising of stock forming a part ^>i his ranch enterprise. 

While a resident o\ Canada. September 29, 1862, Mr. Radcliffe was united 
in marriage with Margaret Robertson, who was born near London. Canada, 
in 1842, and was therefore twenty years of age at the time of her marriage. 
lit children were horn to them, but only five are now living. The eldest 
>n these. Frederick Ross, is a resident of King City, Cal. ; Edith Anna, the 
wife of Elmer G. Morgan, is a resident of Lester, Wash.; Myra A., Mrs. 
Edward Hocking, died in Lester, Wash.; Milton A., who is farming the old 
home place, was married in Cloverdale to Maggie Camp, who died in 1897 
leaving one child. Florence Mabel, who is attending the Armejo high school; 
Victor is a blacksmith in Vacaville; Maud is a professional nurse and is super- 
intendent of the operating room in the City and County hospital in San Fran- 
cisco: a deep bereavement befell the family in 1895, when the youngest son, 
Cecil, was killed by the accidental explosion of a gun. Politically Mr. Rad- 
cliffe is a Democrat, but has not been active in public affairs. 



HENRY R. TIMM. 

Upon the establishment of the Northern Solano Bank at Dixon and the 
opening of its doors for business February 1, 1910, Henry R. Timm entered 
upon the duties of president. (This was afterward, January 1, 1912, changed 
to the First National Bank of Dixon.) A capital stock of $75,000 was sub- 
scribed by the stockholders and a modern building was erected for the head- 
quarters of the bank, an equipment being provided that surrounds the em- 
ployes of the institution with every needed facility for prompt and accurate 
work. In the administration of the financial affairs the president has the co- 
operation of the vice-president, R. E. L. Stephens, and the cashier, H. L. 
Bissell, as well as the following board of directors : R. E. L. Stephens, T- D. 
Grady. E. D. N. Lehe. J. J. Clark, W. J. Weyand, Robert Watson, W. R. 
Madden and H. L. Bissell. all prominent and honored residents of the com- 
munity. 

The Timm family is of Teutonic origin and dates its establishment in 
America from the arrival of Peter Timm in 1855, this emigrant having come 
from Holstein, Germany, wdiere he was born November 18, 1836, and where 
he had learned the trade of a cabinetmaker. Shortly after his arrival in this 
country he secured employment on a farm in Iowa, but in 1859 he left that 
state for California, making the trip with ox teams and wagons across the 
plains. For two years he mined at Placerville, next he engaged in farming 
and soon afterward turned his attention to cabinetmaking in San Mateo 
county. During 1864 he removed to a ranch five miles east of Dixon. Four 
years later he purchased a ranch o£ one hundred and sixty acres and moving 
to the new location he gave his attention to the development of the land. Until 
his death, which occurred December 17. 1909. he continued to reside at the 
old homestead. Meanwhile he was prominent as a farmer and citizen. For 
years he was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also 
served as an officer of the Society of Dixon Grangers No. 19. When the vil- 
lage of Dixon began to be built he aided in moving hither a large proportion 
of the houses in Silveyville and Maine Prairie. During 1872 and 1873 he 
served as county assessor of Solano county and during 1874-75 he was county 
tax collector. 

At the time of coming to the United States and of later seeking a liveli- 



316 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

hood in the remote west Peter Timm had not established domestic ties. It 
was during May of 1867 that he chose a wife and for the first time had a home 
of his own. The young lady whom he married. Miss Cecilia Beuck, was born 
in Germany on Christmas day of 1846 and came to this country during early 
life, settling with relatives in California. Born of the marriage were four 
children, namely: Laura A. of Dixon; Henry R. ; William D., of Idaho; and 
Louisa, Mrs. A. C. Holly, of Dixon. The first-named son graduated at the 
Leland Stanford University in 1893, with degree of A. B., and for the next two 
years served as principal of the Elmira high school, after which he held a 
position as assistant cashier with the Bank of Vacaville for three years and 
subsequently became a director in the Bank of Dixon, but resigned in 1909. 
His identification with the banking business by no means represents the 
limit of his activities. As a stockman he is widely known and in the dairy 
business he has built up a reputation extending throughout all of Northern 
California. He is extensively interested in cattle and sheep (of which at one 
time he had thousands of head), but of late years has concentrated his agricul- 
tural activities upon dairying, being proprietor of the Certified dairy, the 
largest of the kind in the entire state. The dairy consists of two hundred and 
sixty-five cows, exempt from tuberculosis and all disease, cared for by skilled 
workers and maintained largely by alfalfa hay raised on two hundred and 
fifty acres of meadow. The milk is shipped to San Francisco, Berkeley and 
Oakland, twenty-four hundred quart bottles daily. The milk is inspected by 
the milk commissioners and certified to as absolutely pure, which enables the 
proprietor to secure a higher price for the product than is paid to the pro- 
ducers of ordinary milk. He supplies the Pullman dining cars of the Southern 
Pacific at San Francisco. 

When new cows are added to the herd they are kept separate and no 
milk is saved until they are given the tuberculin test by a veterinary appointed 
by the milk commission. The condition of the large dairy barn is strictly 
sanitary. Cleanliness is observed in even the most unimportant details. Cows 
are cleaned with curry comb and brush before milking and the milkers wear 
clean white suits and caps. Silage is recognized as indispensable and two 
modern silos form a part of the equipment. The vicinity of Dixon is recog- 
nized as an important milk-producing section and no dairy in the locality has 
attained a higher rank or has done more to add to the local reputation for 
pure milk than has the Certified dairy, whose inception is due to the modern 
methods employed by Mr. Timm. He is one of the directors of the Alfalfa 
Land Company of Dixon, a company devoted to the dividing up of large 
tracts and selling to homeseekers, thus encouraging the immigration of citizens 
to Solano county. He is also a director and vice-president of the Solano 
Machinery Company, a company formed for the purpose of manufacturing and 
introducing a sanitary paper milk bottle, which has already been demonstrated 
a success. 

On December 21, 1911, Mr. Timm was married at Santa Cruz to Emma 
Jane Bowen, a native of Missouri. She graduated from the University of 
California in 1905 with the degree of A. B., and was a teacher in the Dixon 
high school. When at leisure from his duties in the bank and from other 
business activities Mr. Timm is always to be found energetically superintend- 
ing his dairy affairs and planning improvements that will add value to his 
already splendidly equipped establishment. In fraternal affairs he is con- 
nected with the Masons, belonging to Silveyville Lodge No. 201, F. & A. M., 
at Dixon, and has been a leader in the philanthroDic movements for which this 
order is noted. He is also a member of the Phi Kappa Psi. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 317 

I \MI".S MAYHOOD. 

\ native of Canada, James Mayhood was born in Napanee, Lennox 
county, in 1850, the son of John and Mar) (Harrison) Mayhood, who died at 
the age of sixty-one and eight} five years respectively. James Mayhood re- 
mained contentedly in his native home until nineteen years oi age, when, in 
the spring oi 1870, he came to California, for two years living in Cordelia, 
and then coming to the Montezuma Hills, which has been his home ever since. 
On the home farm in Canada he had received a good insight into agriculture 
and lie was able to apply this knowledge to conditions which he found in his 
new surroundings in the west. For a time he worked as a farm hand, later 
having charge oi ranches, which he rented, among these being the Hall ranch 
of six hundred and forty acres, which of late \ cars has been in charge of his 
son. Clyde C. In 18 c 'l. Mr. Mayhood bought three hundred and eighty-one 
acres of land, which is a part of his present home place. In 1 ( '02 he added an 
adjoining one hundred acres, now having four hundred and eighty <>ne acres, 
all of which is devoted to grain-raising and hay. as well as to Stock-raising, 
having over eleven hundred head of cattle. The ranch is located two miles 
west <>i Rio Vista and is known as the Mayhood ranch. It is equipped with 
all of the buildings to he found on a well-regulated ranch, including a com- 
modious, modern residence, large barn and outbuildings. 

In 1876 Mr. Mayhood was married at Lowville, \. Y., to Miss Emma 
Copley, a native of \ew York, and the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Phillips) 
Copley. Of the six children horn to them, four are living. The eldest of the 
children, .Yorris R., horn April 2'». 1877. died December 20. 1 ( )07; he was a 
graduate of Atkinson's Business College; he was married in 1006 to Annie C. 
Anderson, who since his death* has resided with her parents. Cora Mabel died 
in childhood; Clyde C. who was educated in Howe's Academy, Sacramento, 
is engaged in farming on the Hall ranch: he married Miss Edith Barnes, and 
they have two children. Bessie Leola, a graduate of Mills College, is now 
Mrs. Pezzaglia, of Rio Vista, and the mother of one child. Mabel Ernestine. 
Ernest I)., born June 23. 1890, educated in preparatory work at Rio Vista, 
later taking a course in the Polytechnic at Oakland, is now assisting his par- 
ents, lames Russell, horn March 14. 1895. is attending the Armijo high school 
at Fairfield. James Mayhood is a charter member of Rio Vista Lodge No. 
165. Knights of Pythias, and he and his wife are members of the Congrega- 
tional Church at Rio Vista. 



HEYRY CHARLES LUTLEY. 

A native of England. Henry C. Lutley was horn in Somersetshire in 
November. 1866, and by way of Yew York came to California, landing in 
San Francisco July 3. 1884. He at once entered the employ of Miller & Lux, 
well-known stock-raisers, with whom he remained for almost a year. He 
then went to Toombstone, Ariz., where he first engaged as a wood contractor, 
and later was engaged with his brother William in the freighting business. 
While in Arizona his brother Frederick was killed by Geronimo's hand, and 
our subject came near meeting the same fate at their hands. He remained 
in Arizona until 1887. when he returned to San Francisco. After a period of 
employment under the Stanford University authorities, he came to Napa 
county in 1888. and among others was employed by William Denning. 

Mr. Lutley married Miss Phoebe Denning, a native of Napa county, and 
six children were horn to them: Harry F... Robert Y.. Herbert I!.. Winifred 
F.. Bessie 11. and Ruth. The three older children are attending grammar 
school and show much proficiency in their academic pursuits. In Yapa valley 
Mr. and Mrs. Lutley have made for themselves a comfortable home. Mr. 



318 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Lutley farms one hundred and seventy acres, a part of the Maycamus Rancho, 
three acres of this being vineyard, two acres orchard, twenty acres alfalfa 
and pasture, and the balance in grain. Fifty head of horses and cattle and 
twenty head of hogs constitute the stock of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Lutley 
are turkey fanciers and have a very fine breed of Bronze turkeys. Fraternally, 
he is a member of the Odd Fellows, and politically is a Republican, and his 
religious support is given to the Episcopal Church, in which institution he 
was brought up in his native land. Popular and progressive, Mr. and Mrs. 
Lutley are becoming better known every day and they and their family have 
access to the best homes in the community in which they live. 



HENNING E. BERGH. D. V. S. 

One of the representative sons of Sweden has contributed to the citizen- 
ship of Suisun since 1909, in the person of Pfenning E. Bergh, a veterinary 
surgeon whose skill and ability in his profession have enabled him to' build 
up a large and profitable practice. He was born in Skane, Sweden, July 20, 
1883, the son of Olof Hansson Bergh, who was a man of considerable promi- 
nence in legislative affairs in his native country, being a member of the lower 
house of the Swedish congress. Henning Bergh was given good educational 
advantages, which included a course in the gymnasium, and after his school 
days were over he served two years in the Skane Hussar Regiment of the 
Swedish army. 

Following his service in the army Mr. Bergh became interested in the 
study of mechanical engineering, getting his training in a machinery manu- 
facturing plant in Landskrona. His proficiency in the business led to his 
promotion as traveling salesman for the company, an arrangement that was 
mutually agreeable and profitable, but which was terminated when Mr. Bergh 
determined to come to the United States at the request of the company. 
Going to Chicago, he was fortunate in securing a position with the McCor- 
mick Harvester Company, while in their employ diligently endeavoring to 
adjust himself in his line of business as conducted in this country. It was 
while he was in the employ of this company that he resolved to take up the 
study of veterinary surgery, and after the decision was made he lost no time 
in carrying out his plans. With this idea in view he came to San Francisco 
in March, 1904, and in the following year he entered the San Francisco Veterin- 
ary College, from which he graduated in 1909 with the degree of D. V. S. 
In April, 1909, he successfully passed the examination of the state board, and 
equipped with his diploma he was qualified to open an office and begin the 
practice of his profession. It is interesting to mention in passing that Avhile 
taking his course in college he procured the means for his tuition by working in 
the Palace hotel, and during the earthquake and fire he was able to be of untold 
value to the management, not the least of his accomplishments in this catas- 
trophe being the saving of jewelry belonging to Col. J. C. Kirkpatrick to the 
amount of $25,000. While the Palace hotel was occupying temporary quar- 
ters at the corner of Post and Leavenworth streets he was serving in the 
capacity of night clerk, twice during this time being instrumental in saving 
the hotel from fire with the aid of the fire department, his prompt discovery 
of the fires and alert handling of the same until the arrival of the department 
undoubtedly saving the building from total destruction. 

It was in August, 1909, that Dr. Bergh came to Suisun and opened an 
office for the practice of his profession. That his choice of a profession as 
well as his choice of a location was wise, has been demonstrated in the three 
years that he has made this city his home, and not only has he been favored 
from a professional standpoint, but he has also enjoyed life in a larger and 
fuller way in the accumulation of congenial friends and associates, who find 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIKS 321 

in him qualities of strength and manhood too rarely seen in this work a day 
world. 

In San Francisco Dr. Bergh was married to Miss Selma Mclin. a native 
of Oland, Sweden. Two children have been horn to them, Esther Svea and 
Henning Emil, Jr. He is a member of Odin Lodge No. 393, I. O. O. F., in 
San Francisco, and is also a member of the San Francisco Veterinary Medical 
Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association and the frater- 
nity of Lambda Xn. of San Francisco. 



HENRY PETERS. 

One of the most extensive and prosperous ranchers in the Sacramento 
valley of whom we have knowledge is Henry Peters, of Dixon, whose opera- 
tions are not confined to Solano county but extend into Yolo county. He 
bears the reputation of being the largest sheep breeder in the entire Sacra- 
mento valley, a reputation which is rightfully his, as a further perusal of his 
life sketch will prove. A native son of the state, he was born near Dixon, 
February 21, 1876, one of the five children comprising the family of G. Henry 
and Katherine (Scheel) Peters. (A sketch of G. Henry Peters will be found 
elsewhere in this volume.) 

Henry Peters was educated primarily in the public schools of Dixon, 
and he completed his scholastic training with a course in Heald's Business 
College in San Francisco, graduating therefrom in 1892. He then returned 
home and was given the superintendency of his father's ranch, a position for 
which he was well qualified, notwithstanding the large responsibility which it 
involved, and when his father died two years later he still continued the man- 
agement of the estate for five years. In the meantime the youngest son had 
attained his majority and the property was divided among the heirs. Follow- 
ing this Henry Peters carried on horticulture and farming near Vacaville for 
a number of years, or until 1900, when he began making a specialty of raising 
grain at Maine Prairie. In the following year he established the nucleus of 
the sheep industry that has since grown to such large proportions. Mr. 
Peters' home place comprises fourteen hundred and seventy-five acres, two 
and a half miles east of Binghampton, which when he located upon it was 
virgin soil, and its present state of development is therefore due to his own 
personal efforts. Besides erecting a commodious residence and three large 
barns he has fenced the entire acreage. The land included in the homestead, 
however, is only a fraction of the acreage that is under the control of Mr. 
Peters, the land which he rents for grain raising and grazing including nine- 
teen thousand nine hundred and forty acres. Of this fourteen hundred and 
forty acres are in grain, as follows: eight hundred acres of the G. S. Woods 
tract and six hundred and forty acres of the Cutter Paige tract, both of these 
properties adjoining the home ranch. The eighteen thousand five hundred 
acres which he leases for grazing purposes are as follows: forty-one hundred 
and twenty acres of the J. X. Garnett land in Yolo county; twenty-five hun- 
dred acres in Solano county belonging to the same estate; fourteen hundred 
and forty acres of the Carmichael tract in Yolo county; eight hundred and 
eight yacres of the R. Mason Smith land in Yolo county, adjoining the Garnett 
place: six hundred and forty acres of the McLaughlin Company land in Solano 
county: nineteen hundred and twenty acres of the Winters Development 
Company's land in Yolo county; three thousand acres of the J. H. Peterson 
tract in Yolo county : and four thousand acres of the Sweitzer tract in Yolo 
county. Altogether the acreage under his control includes twenty-one thou- 
sand four hundred and fifteen acres, probably the largest tract under the con- 
trol of one individual in the Sacramento valley. Mr. Peters plows his land 

IT 



322 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

with steam traction engine and the same motive power is used with his com- 
bined harvester in gathering the crops. Mr. Peters makes a specialty of 
raising the Merino and Shropshire strains of sheep, from ten to twenty 
thousand head constituting his herd. During the summer and fall he is 
obliged to lease considerable land on Ryer Island over and above that already 
mentioned to properly care for his large herds, in the care of which he employs 
from fifteen to twenty-five hands. Mr. Peters makes a specialty of mutton 
sheep, breeding for size and wool. He well merits the distinction of being 
the largest sheep raiser in the Sacramento valley and throughout this section 
of the state he is a recognized authority on the sheep industry, and is a valued 
member of the Pacific Coast Breeders' Association. 

Mr. Peters' marriage united him with Miss Bertha Wolfe, a native of 
Silveyville ,and they have one child, Henry Elwood. Fraternally Mr. Peters 
is well known. He was made a Mason in Silveyville Lodge No. 201, F. & A. 
M., at Dixon, is also a member of Dixon Chapter No. 48, R. A. M., Vacaville 
Commandery No. 38, K. T. ; Islam Temple, N. M. S., of San Francisco,' and 
with his wife is a member of the Eastern Star Lodge at Dixon. He is also 
a member of Vallejo Lodge No. 559. B. P. O. E., Vacaville Lodge, I. O. O. F., 
and Franklin Lodge, K. P.. of Vacaville. In his political views Mr. Peters is 
a stanch Republican. 



JOHN D. MAIER. 

The city of Vallejo is fortunate in the possession of one who embodies so 
many admirable traits of citizenship as does John D. Maier, who is a native 
son of the state, and who has been a resident of Solano county since he was 
seven years of age. Born in Oroville, Butte county, April 26, 1859, he is a son 
of John D. Maier, who was born in Germany, and who as a young man left 
the Fatherland in the early '50s for the land of golden opportunity. Coming 
direct to California, he was attracted to Butte county on account of the mining 
outlook there, and he continued to follow this calling there for a number of 
years, or until coming to Solano county in 1866. In the home he established 
in Vallejo his earth life came to a close. 

John D. Maier was a lad of seven years when his parents removed from 
his birthplace to Vallejo, and in the public schools of this place he received a 
good grounding in the essentials of learning. To this foundation he has con- 
tinued to add by observation and reading of good literature and today he is 
intelligently informed on all of the important subjects with which the world 
at large is concerned. When his school days were over he was ambitious to 
engage in business and thus begin his independent career, and in accepting 
the position as street sprinkler in Vallejo he undertook a business which he 
was destined to follow for twenty years. At that time the sprinkling of the 
streets Avas done by private contract with the property owners. After giving 
up this business Mr. Maier was employed for a number of years in the Mare 
Island navy yard in the capacity of boilermaker. 

During a portion of the time Mr. Maier was engaged in filling the sprink- 
ling contract in Vallejo he was employed in the winters in the survey of the 
water system from Green Valley. Not only was the work interesting in itself, 
but the knowledge and experience later became a financial asset, when, in 
1908, he was offered the position of assistant superintendent of the Vallejo 
water works, and care-taker at the head of the water works in Green Valley. 
In this responsible position he has the care of four miles of watershed, which 
he watches jealously to prevent trespassing or the pollution of the water. His 
duties also include the supervision of both lakes in the Wildhorse valley, as 
well as the pipe line to Cordelia, and the line from Green Valley falls to 
Vallejo. Those who have seen Green Valley falls are loud in their praise of 
the beauty which the spot presents. The pure sparkling water supplied to the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD X \PA COUNTIES 323 

residents of Vallejo rolls over a cliff aboul one hundred feet high, rising above 
which arc basalt cliffs hundreds of feel in height, all of which combines to 
make the source of the waterfall seem like a huge howl. The sides of the 
cliffs are lined with trees, shruhs and ferns, all adding to the witchery of the 

place, which is conceded to be one >>i the beauty spots of California. It is a 
sight which would well repay many miKs of travel, and the citizens of Vallejo 
are not only to be congratulated upon the possession of such a beauty spot in 
their midst, but also upon the abundance and purity ^i the water which they 
enjoy. Mr. Maier has occupied his present position with the water company 
since April 1. 1908, and that he is the right man in the right place goes without 
saying, judging from the satisfaction which is accorded his services. 

Mr. Maier's home at No. 932 Capitol street. Vallejo, is presided over by 
his wife, whom he married in San Rafael as Miss Mamie E. Pincombe, who 
was born in Vallejo. They have one child. Edna. By right of birth in the 
state. Mr. Maier is eligible to the order of Native Sons of the Golden West, 
and he is proud oi the fact that he assisted in the organization of Vallejo 
Parlor No. 77. which has been in active operation since March 6. 1886, and 
which he has served as president. Politically he is an independent Republican. 
At one time Mr. Maier was a member of the old hook and ladder company in 
Vallejo, and for one term was treasurer of the fire delegation. Personally 
Mr. Maier is a man who enjoys the respect and admiration of his fellow citi- 
zens win* are appreciative of his ability in a public capacity, and also of his 
splendid traits of character. 



HORACE GREELEY BELL. 

Born in San Francisco,. July 16, 1860. Horace G. Bell is the son of 
Abraham and Anna (Blackburn) Bell. The former, a native of Boston, 
Mass.. came to California in the early '50s, and followed his trade of a con- 
tracting plasterer in San Francisco, where he died in 1867 at the age of fifty- 
five. I lis wife was born in the North of Ireland, and died in Petaluma in 
1902, aged eighty-four years. After the death of her husband she reared her 
son to manhood's estate and gave him the best education and advantages 
that were possible. In 1869 she moved to Petaluma. where Horace G. was 
reared: his education was obtained in the public schools of that city. At the 
age of nineteen he was employed by David Walls at Haystack Landing, 
below Petaluma. and it was while thus engaged that he became imbued with 
the desire to follow the life of a sailor. One year later, 1880, he secured a 
place on board the steamer Pilot, Captain Graves, and soon became mate and 
was aboard her when she blew up on Petaluma creek, above Lakeville, May 
25. 1883. eight of the passengers and one of the crew being killed. The 
Herald was chartered in her stead and he was employed in the same capacity, 
under Capt. Nathaniel C. Gould, until the latter had completed the steamer 
Gold. On this new vessel he became first mate and later was made pilot. 
In 1886 he became master of the steamer Zinfandel, Capt. X. H. Wulff, owner, 
and ran her between Xapa and San Francisco for the following eleven years 
when he resigned. Following this he was master of different vessels about 
the bay until he was employed as master of the Hercules by the DuPont 
Powder Co., plying between Hercules and San Francisco for the following 
three years. In l'^ll he entered the employ of the Xapa Transportation 
Company as master of the St. Helena, and is making regular runs between 
Xapa and the metropolis. 

The marriage of Mr. Pell occurred in San Francisco, and united him 
with Miss Mary A. Graham, a native of New York state. They became the 
parent- of two children: Randall, engaged in the poultry business on his 
father's ranch in Cedar Grove Park in Petaluma: and Sophia. Mrs. T. Hoi- 



324 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

land, living in San Francisco. Mrs. Bell died in San Francisco, September 5, 
1910. Mr. Bell was made a Mason in Amity Lodge No. 370, F. & A. M., San 
Francisco; he is a member of the Masters' and Pilots' Association No. 40 of 
the same city. Captain Bell is well and favorably known in shipping and 
business circles on San Francisco bay and its tributaries, and by his kindly 
smile has won and retained many friends. 



CHARLES F. BROCKHOFF. 

Standing among the foremost of the younger generation of Napa county's 
prosperous citizens is Charles F. Brockhoff, a resident of St. Helena. He was 
born in Napa county, June 6, 1880, the son of Charles H. and Emma (Hillens) 
Brockhoff, natives of Germany; the former crossed the plains with an ox-team 
train in 1861, coming via Denver. On this trip they experienced a number 
of skirmishes with the Indians, in one of which a man was killed and a number 
of cattle stampeded. Via Virginia City, Nev., Mr. Brockhoff went to Oregon, 
and, locating in Jacksonville, worked for four years in the brewery business. 
From there he went to San Francisco in 1865 and entered into several com- 
mercial enterprises that proved successful. Now a resident of Alameda, he 
owns a thirty-five-acre orchard and vineyard and fifteen acres of pasture and 
timber near St. Helena, which his son manages. The parental family num- 
bered six children, those besides Charles F. being William A., Emil M., 
Emma, Sophie and Minnie. William married Laura Thoman and has three 
children; Emma married Herman Brinzer and resides in Yreka ; Minnie is the 
wife of Justin Werle and has two children. 

Charles F. Brockhoff remained with his parents until he was seventeen 
years of age, when he went to San Francisco and obtained employment with 
a well-known firm, with which he remained for five years. Coming to Napa 
valley at the end of that time, he has since had the management of his father's 
property near St. Helena. His marriage united him with Miss Gertrude 
Rowson, a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Brockhoff have made many 
friends in Napa county. 



AMBROSE FRANCIS SCOTT. 

One of the early settlers of Solano county was Walter Scott, who was 
born in Pine Plains, Dutchess county, N. Y., in 1846, and came to California 
via Panama in the early '60s. He first engaged in the cattle business, and 
later took up ranching on property which he purchased in Solano county. 
Here his wife, who was a native of Ireland, passed away in 1884, and here also 
he died in October, 1909. 

The son of Walter Scott, Ambrose Francis Scott, was born in Maine 
Prairie, Solano county, in 1872, and received his education in the public 
school. His first employment was on a ranch, and at the age of eighteen 
he began working in a dairy. Having a liking for the sea, however, when 
twenty-five years old he embarked on a sailing vessel and ultimately ran a 
schooner of his own for three years with great success. About eight months 
after giving up the sea-faring life he moved to town and was elected city 
marshal, discharging the duties of this position for two years, after which he 
accepted a position with the telephone company, and for the last five years 
has had full charge of the Power Company's plant. In addition to this he 
holds a position with the Electric Company and is superintendent of the 
Water Company and the fire department, and for five years he was in charge 
of the ways at Rio Vista. 

In 1904 Mr. Scott married Mrs. Emma Lewis, a native of Sweden, whose 
parents are now living in Monterey county, Cal. By her first marriage she had 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 327 

one daughter, Viola, attending the academy a1 Rio Vista. Of her tnarri 
with Mr. Scotl two children have been born, Francis Lucina and Julian 
Bernard. 

Politically Mr. Scott is a Republican. He is a member of River View 
Lodge No. 165, K. of 1'.. of Rio \ ista, and al one time was president of the 
Order of Native Sons. Civic righteousness, equity and principles oi morality 
are Mr. Scott's watchwords, for he earnestly desires the advancement oi the 
community in which he resides. 



WILLIAM EGBERT SMITH. 

The life of W. Egbert Smith began in Finesville, Warren county. N. J., 
December 13. 1836. and closed in Napa, Cal.. May 6, 18* >S. the span of his life 
covering sixty-two years and being tilled with activities of various kinds, 
always directed toward progress both for himself and for his fellow-men. I [e 
was ambitious as a lad. not content to gain merely surface knowledge, but 
desirous of acquiring a broad and thorough education. In his school work 
he was diligent and faithful and on completing the curriculum afforded by 
the grammar schools of his native place he took a course in the Collegiate 
Institute at Charlotteville. X. Y.. and prepared himself to follow the profession 
of a teacher. He taught school in the east until 1865, when he removed to 
Savannah. Mo., where he engaged in the manufacture of stoneware. Three 
years later he accepted the position of principal in the city schools and after 
serving in that capacity for two years he moved to Deer Lodge, Mont., to 
accept a similar position in that city. There he became imbued with the 
mining spirit of that district and in the summer of 1875 he went to Butte 
City and spent some time prospecting for mineral lodes in the Summit Valley 
district. After locating and recording The Banker, Clear Grit, Oro Butte, 
Silver Smith, Jersey Blue and other properties, now patented mines, he began 
development on- The Banker lode, producing silver ore of a high grade, and 
in the fall of the same year built an arastra for the reduction of his ores; this 
was the first arastra built in Montana. In 1876 he became associated in the 
ownership of mines with Harry B. Kessler and the partners were very success- 
ful in their mining enterprises. One of the earliest successful efforts in the 
reduction of silver ore in the Summit Valley district was made by the arastra 
owned and operated by Smith and Kessler of Yankee Doodle Gulch. Their 
arastra was run by water power day and night, winter and summer, without 
cessation, for five years, commencing in 1876. The water was taken from 
the creek in a covered ditch, only five hundred feet long, to a fifteen-foot 
overshot water wheel under cover, and never froze, even in that extremely 
cold climate, so that work never had to be suspended on account of the tem- 
perature at any time during the period mentioned. The daily capacity of the 
mill was one and one-half tons of crude ore. The net profit was about $20,000 
annually. On the death of D. Anson Ford, the postmaster at Butte City, in 
December. 1878, Mr. Smith accepted that position and in the spring of 1879 
was appointed to the office by President Hayes and re-appointed by President 
Arthur in 1883. 

Mr. Smith's marriage occurred May 9, 1883, uniting him with Miss Rose 
M. Roff. a native of Xewark. X. J., the ceremony taking place in that city, 
where Miss Roff was visiting her uncle. II. Ailing. She was the daughter of 
George and Abby M. (Ball) Roff. of New Jersey, her father being a cousin 
of George Ward of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of one 
son, Egbert A., who was educated at Stanford University, and is at present 
in charge of a ranch two and a half miles northwest of Napa, which is named 
Rosemont, as a compliment to Mrs. Smith. Egbert A. Smith was married in 
Berkeley. Cal.. June 2. l'»10, to Miss Anna Holmes of Kellogg, Sonoma 
county: they have one child. Anna Dalrie. 



328 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Politically Mr. Smith was a Republican, and being a public-spirited man 
and well equipped for public service, it was but natural that he should have 
served his country in an official capacity. For two years he held the office of 
territorial superintendent of public instruction of Montana, to which position 
he was appointed by Gov. B. F. Potts in 18/9. 

Mr. Smith came to Napa in 1887 and established his home on Napa 
creek, northwest of the city of Napa. His first purchase was a property of 
fifty acres, but he later added to this until he had in all one hundred and 
seventy-five acres. At present there are one hundred acres in orchard, as 
follows : Twenty in walnuts, fifty in prunes, ten acres in apples and peaches, 
and twenty acres in almonds. The fertility of the soil and the excellent care 
which is given the orchard, are indicated by the fact that from five acres of 
peaches fifty-five tons of fruit were taken, in addition to that wasted. Re- 
cently twenty-five acres have been planted to cherries. Mr. Smith planted 
one hundred acres of trees on the place and otherwise did much to develop 
the property and place it in its present splendid condition. 

Mr. Smith was a strong temperance man, and advocated teaching the 
American youth total abstinence, believing that to be the most successful 
manner in which to combat the evil of intemperance. When Frances E. 
Willard first visited Montana he introduced her to the public and he and his 
wife entertained her at their home. Mr. Smith was a man of considerable 
literary and intellectual attainments, being an authority on educational mat- 
ters, and also a fluent speaker, so that he was enabled to voice his opinions 
in a manner that gave them weight with his hearers. He was a firm sup- 
porter of church schools. Being engaged in agricultural pursuits he took an 
active interest in farmers' organizations. He was president of the Farmers' 
Club, in which he gave practical and material help in the reading of a paper 
on "Frost and Its Prevention," and in various other ways assisted the club 
in its work. He was withal a useful citizen, a broad-minded man who was 
talented in many ways and who was always eager to have others benefit be- 
cause of his ability. 



ALRIK HAMMAR. 

Naval service covering more than a quarter-century has given Mr. Ham- 
mar the advantages of travel in various parts of the world and the opportuni- 
ties afforded by an intimate knowledge of the different nationalities. Of the 
entire time of his identification with the navy fourteen years were spent at 
sea and it was his privilege during 1898 to be stationed on board the Olympia 
when Admiral Dewey made his famous charge upon Manila. Other engage- 
ments of the Spanish-American war were participated in by him and since 
his removal to Vallejo he has been prominently identified with Lawton Camp 
No. 1, Spanish War Veterans, of which he now acts as surgeon. During the 
period of his service at sea he was honored with election as commander of 
the Army and Navy Union on the U. S. S. Yorktown, and in that responsible 
position proved himself an ideal leader. 

For his life-work Mr. Hammar was fortunate in securing the best of 
educational preparation. Born at Kalmar, Sweden, in 1863, he received his 
primary education in the schools of his native land and later matriculated in 
the University of Lund, Sweden, where he studied with assiduous devotion 
and commendable success. Going from there to Germany he studied success- 
ively in the Universities of Greiswald and Heidelberg and enjoyed exceptional 
advantages in those ancient and famous institutions. Striving for still further 
intellectual advancement, after he came to the United States in 1884 he 
studied for one year in Columbia University, leaving that institution in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD WI'A COUNTIES 329 

February <>t' 1885 to outer the United States naval service as an apothecary. 
In that capacity he continued until September 15, 1898, when he was ap 
pointed pharmacist For twelve years he served under an assignment at the 
China station. 

The first association oi Mr. I laminar with California came in 1899, when 
lie was appointed on duty at the medical supply department at Mare Island 
navy yard and arrived at his new station on the 15th of December, thai year. 
For a considerable time he continued in the position, but eventually ill health 
forced his temporary retirement, and Ma\ 8, 1905, he was sent to Fori Bayard, 
Xew Mexico, for treatment. Two years later, having recovered his health, 
he returned to Vallejo and immediately was ordered to duty at the naval 
hospital at I. as Animas. Colo., and assisted in the completion of that famous 
institution, after which he returned to Mare Island. March 14, 1910. Re- 
suming his former duties in the medical supply department, he still remains 
in that capacity and shows the fidelity, energy and accuracy characteristic of 
him in ever}' association of life. 

In addition to his commendable success in the government service Mr. 
Hammar has risen to considerable prominence in the Masonic order. For 
years he was identified with Naval Lodge Xo. S7, 1". & A. M., of Vallejo, and 
Naval Chapter Xo. 34. R. A. M.. also of Vallejo, in which latter he is past 
high priest. Naval Commandery Xo. 10, K. T.. of Vallejo. has the benefit of 
his efficient labors as past commander. During the Masonic conclave held 
in San Francisco in l n 04 he was at the head of the Naval Commandery of 
Vallejo and no spectacle connected with the pageant was more imposing than 
the display made by this branch of the order. For some years he has been a 
member oi Islam Temple, A. A. O. X. M. S.. at San Francisco. At this writ- 
ing he acts as patron oi Silver Star Chapter Xo. 3, Eastern Star of California, 
ami gives to the organization the benefit of his varied experience in all details 
connected with Masonic observances. He is also a prominent member of the 
Vallejo lodge o\ Elks. 

Mr. Hammar's marriage, solemnized in 1905, united him with Miss Lillian 
M. Bond, who was born, reared and educated in Vallejo, Cal., being a graduate 
of Irma Seminary. She is the only daughter of Jonathan and Mary G. (Clark) 
Bond, who came from Xew Hampshire to Vallejo in 1862. Mrs. Hammar's 
only brother. Dr. F. T. Bond, has been a prominent physician and health 
officer of Vallejo for over ten years. Mr. and Mrs. Hammar are the parents 
of a daughter. Kalmar. who was born in Silver City, Xew Mexico. Hammar's 
Xaval Pharmacy is one of the most modern, creditable and beautifully fur- 
nished drug stores in Vallejo, and is located at X T o. 414 Georgia street. Mr. 
Hammar has not lost his fondness for the water, but retains his love for all 
forms of pleasure that take him again to the ocean, the lakes or the rivers. 
When the Vallejo Yacht and Boating Club was organized he took an active 
part in it- inception and for some time afterward he served as a member of 
the board of directors. By the people of Vallejo he is well known and highly 
honored. Hi- attainments are recognized by a large circle of acquaintances, 
all of whom unite in bearing testimony to his strength of character and breadth 
of mmd. 



CONRAD RUMP. 

The story of the life of Conrad Rump covers a comparatively short period 
thus far. but nevertheless it furnishes interesting reading for old and young 
alike. A native of Germany, he was born in Lueneburg, Hanover, April 21, 

1873, and was brought up in the city of Hanover, attending the public schools 
and there laying a good foundation for his later life. At fourteen year- of 
age his learning from text-book- was completed and his education in the 



330 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



world of experience began. At this youthful age he apprenticed himself to 
the carriage builders' trade in Hanover, continuing this for three and a half 
years, when he was equipped to do journeyman work and applied himself to 
this in Germany and Holland for a number of years thereafter. The year 1892 
found him among the immigrants who landed on our shores, but instead of 
remaining in the east he made his way to Wisconsin, and in the northern 
part of that state he found ample opportunity to apply his knowledge of the 
carriage-maker's trade. Subsequently he went to Milwaukee and followed 
his trade, but the same spirit of unrest that had brought him to the United 
States was again aroused within him and in April, 1894, he set out for the 
far west and in due time arrived in the metropolis of the Pacific coast, San 
Francisco. There, as in Wisconsin, he found no difficulty in applying his 
trade, but nevertheless he did not remain there long, for about four months 
later, August 22, 1894, he made his advent in Vallejo. Work was apparently 
awaiting him in the carriage manufacturing plant of G. B. Kennedy, for he 
immediately took a position there and during the two years he was connected 
with the business at that time he had full charge of the carriage works. 

October of 1896 found Mr. Rump on board steamer bound for South 
America, a trip which he undertook with no fear, for thus far experience had 
proven that wherever he might go he need have no anxiety about securing 
work at his trade. This proved to be the rule in Guatemala, Valparaiso and 
Santiago, in all of which places he was able to apply his trade. From the 
last-mentioned city he set out on a trip over the Andes mountains, making 
his way through this mountain fastness on foot through the Upsalata Pass. 
He and his companions followed the trail to Argentine Republic, and in the 
province of Mendoza Mr. Rump remained for a time, presumably to replenish 
his purse, for it is recorded that he found work at his trade there as he also 
did in Buenos Ayres, whither he later went. In the latter port he embarked 
on a vessel bound for London, England, and later re-embarked for the port of 
New York. After a short visit in Milwaukee, Wis., he returned to California 
in 1898, satisfied with his experiences abroad, but better satisfied than ever 
before to resume his duties and obligations in the golden west. For the first 
three months after his return to the state he was employed in Oroville, after 
which he came once more to Vallejo and resumed his position with G. B. 
Kennedy. After remaining two years more with his old employer he felt 
justified in undertaking the management of a plant of his own, and on the 
corner of Marin and Carolina streets he established a carriage and blacksmith 
works that was a source of profit for a number of years. Having outgrown 
these quarters, in 1902 he removed to his present location, erecting carriage 
and blacksmith shops suitable for his enlarged business. As an outgrowth 
of his original business and in order to keep up with the demands of the times, 
he erected a brick garage in 1910 at the corner of Marin and Capitol streets. 
Not only is he prepared to manufacture and repair wagons and carriages of 
all kinds, as well as blacksmithing, but he is equipped to do automobile repair- 
ing and is agent for many of the best-known makers of horseless carriages and 
trucks. In his repository may be seen a full line of Studebaker, Studebaker 
& Garford, E. M. F. and Flanders cars, United States Motor Company's lines, 
Maxwell and Columbia cars ; also the Haynes and International motor wagons, 
besides a full line of the best makes of carriages and wagons, agricultural 
implements, traction engines and road machinery. In 1908 Mr. Rump incor- 
porated his business under the name of Vallejo Carriage Works, with himself 
as general manager and secretary, Theo. Rump, president, and David Jeffers, 
vice-president. 

From the foregoing account of Mr. Rump's activities it would be but 
reasonable to suppose that his time and energies would be exhausted, but not 
so; he is also interested in horticulture and farming, and owns an apple orchard 







3 



<* 



HISTORY OF SOI WO VND NAPA COUNTIES 333 

adjoining Napa which is a credil to himself and to the community. Another 
interest which commands his attention is the growing of eucalyptus trees for 
commercial purposes, and as president of the Vallejo Eucalyptus Company 
he has been instrumental in accomplishing much along tins line. The com- 
pany has a tract of one hundred and eighty lour acre-- near Napa Junction set 
out to this rapid growing tree, and in a few years it i- expected large returns 
will result from the undertaking. 

In San PranciSCO Mr. Rump was married to .\liv- Mary Rittlcr. a native 
of Munich. Germany, and two children, \ era and Jack, have been born to 
them. Mr. Rump was a member of the board of freeholders that framed the 
new city charter, a forward movement in which he was greatly interested and 
one in which his influence and co-operation were appreciated. Fraternally 
he is a member oi the Odd Fellows order, being past grand of his lodge; is 

identified with the Knights ^i the Maccabees, the [J. P. C. E. and the 
Herman Son-, of which he is past president, and he is trustee of the Golden 
State Lodge, I. O. O. F.. and treasurer of the Golden State Mall Association. 
Politically Mr. Rump is a Socialist, and on the ticket of this party he was at 
one time candidate for the senate and assembly. In addition to the affiliations 
above mentioned he is also a member of the Merchants' Association and the 
Solano Automobile Club, in both of which organizations he is a valued and 
influential assistant, as he is indeed in whatever project he lends the weight of 
his influence. 



WILLIAM GOOSSKX. 

Of German descent. William Goossen was born in Green valley township, 
Solano county, in 1858. his parents being the first German settlers in the 
Suisun valley, and the father was the first Republican voter in this township. 
At his death Mr. Goossen owned three hundred and five acres of land, on 
which his widow lives, now in her eighty-sixth year. 

After an education in the public schools William Goossen began working 
on a farm and also in the fruit business. When he was only fourteen years 
old he started out on his own account, gradually fitting himself for the greater 
responsibilities of life. His first independent venture was on a rented orchard, 
and after following horticulture until 1898. he then bought one hundred and 
ninety-one acres of land adjoining Cordelia, to which he has since added by 
purchase, until he now has four hundred and twenty-eight acres of as fine 
land as one could wish for. the whole being devoted to grain raising and 
pasture. Besides raising horses, cattle and hogs for the market, he permits 
the hunting of game on his premises, maintaining a hunting club for this 
purpose. His property is traversed by the Pacific power line and is steadily 
increasing in value. 

Mr. Goossen's marriage. November 12. 1892. united him with Miss Lizzie 
Dunker. a native of Germany, who on coming to this country first settled in 
Germantown. Glenn county, Cal.. and the same year came to Cordelia. The 
eldest of their five children. William, born in 1893, was educated in the public 
schools, besides taking a course in Heald's College, and a course in mechanics; 
Freddie, born in 1896, also had a public school education ; Marguerite, born in 
1897. is a graduate of the school in Green valley; and Emma, born in 1899. 
and Walter in 1902. are both in school. 

William Goossen is a man of prominence in his locality, and besides being 
fish and game commissioner, has for the past two years been roadmaster. 
As was his father before him. he i- a Republican, belongs to the Good 
Templar-, and with his wife is a member of the German Lutheran Church. 
Mr. Goossen has just completed a fine residence in Cordelia, where he resides 
with his family. He has risen to hi- present position because of his genial 



334 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

personality and his readiness to work hard for the attainment of any specific 
end. Civic righteousness is his joy, and every measure for the advancement 
of the community in which he lives receives his unqualified endorsement and 
assistance. 



HON. ABRAHAM JAY BUCKLES. 

The name of Buckles needs no introduction to the people of Solano 
county, for the strong and admirable traits of character of Judge Buckles are 
rooted in the history of the county and state and in the legal profession, of 
which he is a brilliant member; his name is a synonym for probity and justice. 
The lineage of the family is traced to Virginia, where the great-grandfather 
of Judge Buckles fought in the defense of the colonies against the Mother 
Country. The spirit of daring and enterprise which had brought this immi- 
grant to these shores was bequeathed to his descendants, his son settling as 
a pioneer in Ohio, where he reared his family. Among the children was 
Thomas Newton Buckles, who was born near Dayton, Ohio, but who in later 
life settled in the adjoining state of Indiana and in Delaware county con- 
tentedly tilled the soil until the attractions of California drew him to the west. 
Crossing the plains in 1852, he carried on mining for a number of years, but 
finally settled down to the labor of former years, and on a farm near Dixon, 
Solano county, he rounded out a long and eventful life. In young manhood 
he had married Rachel Graham, she also being a native of Ohio, and the 
daughter of Porter Graham, who was born in New York, his wife being a 
native of Ireland. Mrs. Rachel Buckles died in Indiana, having become the 
mother of five children, only two of whom are now living. The eldest of the 
family, Francis M., was in the Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and 
lost his life in Nashville, Tenn., while in service. 

Next to the oldest of the children in the parental family, Abraham Jay 
Buckles was born near Muncie, Ind., August 2, 1846. His boyhood and youth 
were passed in the vicinity of his birth, and such school privileges as the 
locality offered he took advantage of. These were meagre, however, and as 
circumstances made it necessary for him to assume the responsibilities of his 
own maintenance at an early age, it is only justice to say that he is largely 
self-educated. He was a lad of fifteen years when the tocsin of war called 
able-bodied men to the defense of the country, and in June, 1861, he was 
among the number who responded to Lincoln's first call for three-year men, 
being attached to Company E, Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Mus- 
tered in at Indianapolis, his regiment became a part of the Army of the Poto- 
mac, and as a member of the Iron Brigade he took part in the second Battle 
of Bull Run. In that engagement he was shot through the thigh and was 
confined in the hospital for three months, after which he again offered his 
services and took part in the first and second battles of Fredericksburg, Chan- 
cellorsville and Gettysburg, being attached to the color guard. It was his 
ambition to be the color bearer of his regiment and for that reason stationed 
himself on the left so that he would be next to the bearer and ready to take 
the colors in case the color bearer was injured. The bearer was wounded in 
the morning, and young Buckles promptly picked up the colors, which he 
proudly carried until the afternoon of the same day, when he, too, was 
wounded, having received a shot through the right shoulder. Handing the 
flag to his comrade next in line, he was taken from the field and was confined 
to the hospital for several months. His anxiety to be in the field of action 
once more secured his release before his wound was entirely healed, but he 
was able to resume his old post as color bearer and was serving in this capacity 
in the Battle of the Wilderness, when he was once more disabled, this time 
being shot through the body. As before, in spite of his intense suffering, he 



HISTORY OFSOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 335 

did not allow the colors to disappear, handing the flag to young Devilbuss, 

who lost his life soon afterward. \t the Battle of the \\ ilderness Hie regiment 

became scattered in the rush through the woods, and inasmuch as he could 

no field officer, Color Bearer Buckles led the charge himself, the nun 

mptly following, and in the conflict Mr. Buckles received what was thought 
to be a mortal wound, being shot through the body. In spite of the fad thai 
he badly wounded as to be given up for dead, he managed to make 

lu> the rear, when the ambulance came up and he was taken to the 

temporary hospital. The examining surgeon pronounced his case hopeless 
and would not even probe the wound, the same being true of his treatment 
in the held hospital, to which he was later removed. Finally, when orders were 

ted to remove the inmates to Fredericksburg, Buckles sent for the physician 
and begged not to be left behind. The doetor replied that his orders were 
strict ami as he had been given up to die, could not be removed. He remon- 
that the physicians had said two days before that he would die and 
that he found himself no worse, and Anally obtained the promise that if he 
could stand when the ambulance came he would be removed t>> Fredericksburg 
and receive proper care. To make the promise good, Buckles Stood, with the 
aid of Mick- for crutches, and was taken to the hospital, and a- soon as his 
wounds were given attention he began to recover. lie was able to rejoin his 

iment before the Battle of Petersburg, having been promoted and com- 
missioned second lieutenant. During all this time, however, his wound was 
still open and remained so until early in 1870. While on skirmish duty, March 
; . he was again wounded, this time in the right leg. which necessitated 
amputation -even inches from the body. Mis honorable discharge followed 
two months later. May 15. 1865, after the close of the war. He was awarded 
a medal of honor by congress for meritorious conduct upon the battlefield of 
the Wilderness. May 5. 1864. lie returned to his home in Indiana, battle 
scarred and disabled, ami as yet a mere boy in years, not nineteen years old. 
After his return he attended school in Mtmcie for nine months and obtained 
a certificate to teach. In the meantime he had made up his mind to prepare 
for the legal profession and for a time continued teaching and studying law. 
In the spring of 1875 lie was admitted to the bar and immediately thereafter 
can; ilifornia and located in Dixon, Solano county. Opening an office 

for the practice of his profession, the recognition of his exceptional ability 
and justice in the handling of legal complications was apparent from the first, 
and was the forerunner of a large and influential clientele. Substantial recog- 
nition of his ability came to him in 187'>. when he was elected district attorney 
county under the new constitution, and at the close of his first term 
he was re-elected, serving altogether over five years. In 1884 he received 
the nomination for the office of superior judge and as the successful candidate 
he took the office in January, 1885, and for over twenty years thereafter he 
held the office continuously. In April. 1605. he was appointed by Governor 
Pardee from the superior bench as one of the judges of tin- appellate court 
for the third district, and after the close of his term he again took up the 
law. at this time locating in Fairfield. As on former occasions he 
I in building up a commendable practice, but he was n"t long 
allowed t" confine his attention to private practice. Judgl Devlin, who had 
I superior judge in l'>08. held the office jusl one month and twenty 
day- when pressure of private business made it necessary for him to resign, 
whereupon lletl appointed Judge Buckles to fin the unexpired 

term 

fudge Buckles' marriage, December 5. 1.H65. united him with Mi^s Louisa 
B. Conn, who was born in Mum ie. Ind. Two children were born to them, 
Addie Jessie. Mr-. I'.. F. Cassidayof Vallejo, and Lola I'... Mrs. George Donald 
Sacramento. Judge Buckles keeps in touch with his comrades of war 



336 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

days through membership in Gen. Sol Meredith Post No. 176, G. A. R., at 
Fairfield. He is a prominent figure in Grand Army circles, and in 1890 was 
department commander of California and Nevada. He is also a member of 
Suisun Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F. ; Suisun Lodge No. Ill, K. P., of which 
organization he is past grand chancellor of California, and Vallejo Lodge No. 
559, B. P. O. E. He is a member of the California Commandery of the mili- 
tary order of the Loyal Legion. It would be superfluous to add further com- 
ment in praise of the life and accomplishments of Judge Buckles than is por- 
trayed in the account of his war and legal record. He is a man of irreproach- 
able character, tenacious and loyal to every cause that he espouses, and all 
who know him love and honor him as a man among men, one whom it is a 
privilege to call friend. 



JAMES A. KEYS. 

Many of the fine old families of the south enjoying affluence before the 
war, found themselves almost depleted of worldly goods after the close of 
the Civil war, and naturally turned to the far west to recuperate lost fortunes. 
Among those who came to sunny California was James A. Keys of the Suisun 
Lumher Company of Suisun, Cal. He was born just at the close of the war, 
in December, 1865, in Montgomery county, Tenn. Being left an orphan he 
determined to seek opportunities in the new country on the Pacific coast, 
and in 1882 he came to Solano county. He became a pupil in the public 
school at Denverton, near Suisun, which was to become the scene of his 
manhood's activities. With that thirsting desire for education which char- 
acterizes the true Tennesseean, he was not satisfied with what a country 
school afforded him, so he entered St. Mary's College at San Francisco. 
After his graduation at that college he returned to Denverton, where he found 
employment in the general store of Dr. S. K. Nurse. A year later he engaged 
in the lumher business, which has held his attention for twenty-two years. 
From its small beginnings the Suisun Lumber Company has gradually ex- 
tended its business until it is a big factor in the community, and Mr. Keys, 
as its head, and still a young man, may be pointed out as an illustration of 
the ultimate success which rewards determination and hard work. 

Mr. Keys was one of the organizers of the old Solano County Bank, which 
was nationalized in January, 1912, as the First National Bank of Suisun, and 
has been a director since its organization. He also had great faith in the 
agricultural resources of the county, as is demonstrated by his ownership of 
ranches to the extent of five hundred acres east of Suisun, where he is en- 
gaged in raising grain. In addition to his other interests he is vice-president 
and manager of the Rochester Oil Company, which, while exploiting for oil 
on the Freitas lease, struck a large flow of natural gas. This was found in 
commercial quantities and has been piped to Suisun, Fairfield and Cement, 
supplying the citizens with gas for cooking and lighting. 

Mr. Keys has always been an active adherent to Democratic principles 
and for many years has been a member of the county, state and central com- 
mittees, and ever since being a voter has been a delegate to county and state 
conventions. In 1900 he was chosen delegate to the national Democratic 
convention at Kansas City, Mo., where William J. Bryan was nominated. 
In 1904 he was again a delegate to the national Democratic convention at 
St. Louis at which Alton B. Parker was nominated, he also being a member 
of the committee on credentials, and he took an active part in the results and 
deliberations of that body. Elected treasurer and tax collector of Solano 
county in 1894, he was re-elected to the same office in 1898. At the close of 
this term he again proved his popularity as a public office holder by being 
elected sheriff of the county in 1902, in which capacity he served one term. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AM) NAPA COUNTIES 339 

Mr. Keys lias not neglected the social side of life, being a member oi \ allejo 
Lodge, B. P. O. E. 

In 1889, Mr. Keys was married to Miss Laura E. Goodwin, and to them 
were horn five children: Marguerite. Genevieve, Emetine, Madeline and 
I.ueile. After the death oi the mother of these children lie married, in 1 ( W. 
Miss Agnes Crimin. 



HON. JACKSON F AY BROWN. 

The opportunities that Solano county offers to energetic men find no 
hotter illustration than in the life of -Hon. Jackson Fay Brown, who was one 
oi the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers in this section of the state. 
The homestead on which he lived for many years is a model of its kind. In 
vvs; he erected a residence containing eighteen rooms and equipped with 
every modern convenience. ' The place is built upon a rise and a fine view of 
the country for miles and miles around can be obtained. When Mr. Brown 
came here first there were no trees and the place was uncultivated, and it now 
presents a very different spectacle and indicates the vast amount of work- 
entailed in placing it in its present condition. There are fruit trees and a 
vineyard in a high state of cultivation, as well as an abundance of water for 
irrigation. At the time of his death Mr. Brown owned three thousand acres 
of good land (having given to his children as much more), and the largest 
residence in the agricultural district of the county. 

Mr. Brown was horn in Chittenden county, Vt., October 7, 1835, a son 
of Reed and Electa (Fay) Brown, representatives of substantial old families 
of Xew England. During his boyhood he worked on the farm and attended 
the district schools, and at the age of twenty-one he decided to seek his fortune 
in the far west. Accordingly, in 1857, he came from the Green Mountain 
state via the Isthmus to California, and being familiar with the dairying 
business, he sought employment in that industry. For fifteen months he 
worked on a dairy near Petaluma, Sonoma county, receiving $40 per month 
for his services. On account of physical disorders he was obliged to seek 
another location, and. going to Marin county, he continued to work as a dairy 
employee for two years. With the money he thus saved he bought twenty- 
five head of cattle, paying S60 per head for six cows and $40 each for the 
balance. In the year 1861 Mr. Brown came to Solano county and bought a 
quarter section of land where his son Arthur J. now resides. At the time of 
the original purchase there were only two settlers in the vicinity. In the 
redwoods of Marin county he split timbers, posts and shakes, which he brought 
in boats to Maine Prairie Landing, from there hauling it to his claim and 
building a 12x14 house. About a year later he brought another consignment 
and built a new house 16x24. He originally started in the dairy business, 
and from this he branched out into general farming and stock-raising on a 
large scale. The butter from his dairy was shipped to San Francisco by 
water, and in the latter place it commanded the highest market prices. During 
those first years it was a constant struggle for Mr. Brown to make the 
advances he desired to make. Water was pumped by hand and in other ways 
manual labor had to be used where, in these days, machinery does the work. 
He remained in the dairy business for thirteen years, meanwhile caring for 
his ranch land, plowing and sowing barley and oats, for the latter in early 
days receiving three cents per pound. For some time he devoted most of his 
energies to wheat raising, but later made a specialty of barley. As he pros- 
pered he added to his property until his possessions aggregated three thousand 
acres, the land being largely used for the pasturage of his stock, for he owned 
about five thousand head of sheep and two hundred hogs, as well as a large 
number of cattle, horses and mules. 



340 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Politically Mr. Brown was a Republican ; he served for many years as 
county supervisor, filling that office with great credit to himself and his con- 
stituents; for three years he held the office of deputy county assessor, and in 
1888 was nominated for the assembly, to which he was duly elected and served 
the session of 1889. After coming to Solano county he was married November 
13, 1862. to Miss Eliza Hopkins, who was born in Cambridge, Vt. Her father 
was Hiram Hopkins, a native of Vermont, who spent his last days with his 
daughter, Mrs. Brown, dying at the age of eighty-one years, three months 
and twenty-one days. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of eight children, 
three of whom died in infancy. Those living are Arthur J., Homer G., Lillie 
May, Lulu Irene and Clayton H. Mr. Brown's death occurred April 23, 1910, 
the widow and children mourning the loss of a kind husband and father, and 
the community a citizen who had its welfare at heart. 



CHARLES ASHWELL. 

The experiences of a long life of intelligent activity have brought to 
Charles Ashwell in advancing years many memories that bring pleasure to 
his hours of ease. The city of Vallejo, as he recalls its appearance at the 
time of his arrival in 1876, was a small hamlet insignificant in commercial 
importance and unpromising as to future development. Then, as now, the 
climate proved a valuable asset in attracting newcomers, and other induce- 
ments brought a steady influx of settlers to identify themselves with the 
growing community, so that the foundation of a permanent civic prosperity 
was laid in the early clays of material upbuilding. While plying his trade at 
the Mare Island navy yard he has found leisure for participation in the local 
movements of importance, and has proved public-spirited in his devotion to 
his adopted city. 

The Ashwell family comes of English lineage. The first to migrate to 
the shores of America was George, who settled in Canada and remained 
there until his death. After he had come to the new world he married a 
young Canadian girl, Mary Springer, who survived him, dying in Canada in 
1905. Two sons are living at this time, one of whom, Daniel, remains in 
Canada and makes his home in London. Charles Ashwell, who was born 
in London, Canada, September 18, 1844, was reared on the old homestead 
near London until at the age of eighteen he crossed into Michigan, where, 
in Lexington, Sanilac county, he served an apprenticeship to the trade of a 
cabinet-maker. While working at his trade in Michigan he married. June 9, 
1869, Miss Lydia Goodall, a native of Canada, and a woman of gentle dis- 
position and fine mind. Her death, which occurred at Vallejo in 1893, was 
mourned by a large circle of friends. In all the relationships of life she was 
mild and gentle. No harsh judgment fell from her lips. No word of unkind- 
ness from her ever bruised the heart of a fellow-being. As a mother she was 
wise and loving, and the two children who survive her (one having pre- 
viously died) hold her memory in the deepest affection. The son, Charles 
Irving, has been connected with the postal department at Vallejo for a number 
of years. The daughter, Ray, Mrs. Charles C. Bowman, makes Vallejo her 
home. 

Some years since Mr. Ashwell relinquished his work at the Mare Island 
navy yard and entered upon a period of leisurely enjoyment of his comfortable 
home in Vallejo, doing little work except such as is suited to his advancing 
years and congenial to his tastes. He still retains considerable stock in the 
Pacific Fruit Canning and Evaporating Company, which has a large plant 
at Newcastle and its main office in San Francisco. Other investments return 
him a neat income and give to life's afternoon the material comforts of which 



HISTORY OF SOLAN* I AND NAPA COUNTIES 341 

he is so deserving. For a long time he ha^ been actively connected with 
Naval Lodge No. 87, F. & A. Si., at Vallejo. While ho has never cared for 
official honors and has not been a candidate for any position at an) time, he 
nevertheless is loyal to the welfare of the city, solicitous for its growth, 
devoted to its progress and a contributor i" enterprises for the general up- 
building. 

CHARLES GLOS. 

( >t" all of the residents in Nana county perhaps none has entered more 
fully into the hardships and privations of frontier existence than have Charles 
(d<>- and his self-sacrificing, helpful wife, to whose early experiences in the 
region there befell the trials >>\ pioneering. Notwithstanding their hardships 
they look back upon that time with pleasure, remembering only its joys and 
pleasures, forgetting its pains and perils. Indeed, their affection for their 
mountain home became so intense that only the educational needs of their 
growing family induced them to return to the valley. 

Born in Bavaria, Germany. May 10. 1858, Charles Glos received a fair 
education in the excellent schools of his native land. When a mere lad he 
bade farewell to family and friend- as he departed from the old country. On 
the 15th >>i May. 1874. he landed in New York City, whence he crossed the 
continent to San Francisco and secured employment as a clerk. Ultimately 
he acquired the management <>f a meat market on Montgomery and Market 
streets. While living in that city he married Miss Annie- M. Ureitch. a native 

rermany. During 1885 they came to Napa county and took up a homestead 
• •f one hundred and fifty-one acres on the mountain side, reached by a trail 
-<■ winding and so filled with underbrush that Mrs. Glos held a flag aloft so 
that her husband could keep her in sight. For one-half year they lived in a 
tent <et in the midst of brush and timber, and meanwhile they built a rude 
cabin, using shakes for a roof. It was impossible to obtain floor boards, so 
Mr-. ( rlos carried sand for two miles and used it instead of the needed boards. 

The location of the little cabin was on the west side of the mountain 
eighl mile- from Calistoga. In order to carry produce they built three miles 
of nad at a cost of S2.000. They were offered 82,500 if they would relinquish 
their right to the claim, but. acting on legal advice, they refused the offer. 
Their house and barn cost $800. and other improvements were made as their 
limited means permitted. Panthers abounded, also wild cats, foxes and coons. 
On •>ne occasion Mrs. Glos killed three rattlesnakes. Deer and bear often fell 
beneath the trusty rifle of Mr. Glos. and in one evening he killed seven skunks. 
while he also had to his credit the killing of many wild hogs and wild goats. 
In that lonely place Mr-. Glos and the children frequently remained alone for 
weeks at a time, yet never were they molested and seldom did they feel the 
least fear. As the land was brought under cultivation and a vineyard of four- 
teen acres had come into bearing, while trees gave an abundance of fruit in 
season, the family became greatly attached to their mountain home and their 
feeling of security was strengthened when nine families, one after another, 
moved into the neighborhood. However, there was a lack of educational 
advantages. Their oldest daughter. Louisa M.. was sent to a convent school 
in San Francisco and. after an attendance of two years, was graduated with 
honors. During 1001 the family removed to St. Helena in order that the 
children might attend school, and pleasurable as were their sensations in the 
new home purchased there. Mrs. Glos went as she bade a last farewell to the 
beloved place that for -' > many years had been their home. 

The Glos family originally comprised ten children, of whom the following 
attained mature years: Charles J., who married Mabel Stice. and ha- one 
son: Fdward J.; Lester I".: Louisa M.. Mr-. I'. F. Dado, who has two children ; 



342 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Elsie M. and Virginia M., who remain with their parents on the farm. After 
four years in St. Helena the family bought thirteen acres in Napa valley, 
moved to the new purchase and sent their younger children to the Rutherford 
district school. Their property, purchased at a cost of more than $4,000, 
has been greatly improved under their supervision. The small cottage has 
been enlarged, a barn has been built and a large number of fruit trees have 
been planted, besides which three acres have been brought into alfalfa. The 
family hold membership with the Roman Catholic Church, and fraternally 
Mr. Glos affiliates with the Woodmen of the World. Though interested in 
public affairs, he is not a partisan and maintains an independence of views in 
politics. For almost five years he was a member of Battery C, Second Artil- 
lery, California National Guard, and in every respect he has proved loyal to 
the country of his adoption. 



PATRICK DINEEN. 

Among the Irish residents of California we herewith present the name of 
Patrick Dineen, who was born in Ireland, March 17, 1846, and descended from 
an humble but old and honorable family of the Emerald Isle. Unable to secure 
even a common-school education on account of the family poverty and dis- 
couraged by prospects as a farmer there, he left Ireland in 1871, crossed the 
ocean to the United States and during 1872 landed at Vallejo, his present 
place of residence. At that time the old horse-car road, the first street railroad 
to enter Vallejo, was in process of construction, and he secured employment 
as a laborer in grading the Main street cut. Next he worked on Mare Island 
for Charles Murphy, a contractor, who had been given a contract to build the 
first modern dry dock on the island. The young Irishman's work was in the 
excavation of dirt, and with the aid of a team of five mules he ploughed a hole 
forty-five feet deep. From there he went to the hydraulic mines at Smartville, 
Yuba county, and the Pictolas mine in the same locality. 

After a brief interval of employment with a threshing machine crew on 
Sherman Island in the Sacramento river, Mr. Dineen became an employe of 
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and utilized his knowledge of civil 
engineering and surveying in his labors in resurveying the railroad fences 
from Vallejo to Knights Landing. Later he worked as a section foreman in 
the San Joaquin valley for a time, returning to South Vallejo July 9, 1876, 
and shortly afterward embarking in the liquor business, which he still con- 
ducts. In the interests of South Vallejo he has been a tireless worker and 
his efforts in that direction have earned him the title of "Mayor of South 
Vallejo." To his determined efforts was due the connection of the two towns 
with sidewalks, a measure that aroused much opposition in the town council, 
but was successful nevertheless. 

For twenty years Mr. Dineen served as treasurer of the South Vallejo 
fire department. Through his efforts the steam engine, the Yellow Jacket, 
was installed in South Vallejo, and this engine, lately remodeled, is now in 
splendid working condition, as fit for prompt response to fire alarms as when 
first secured for that purpose. For two terms he served as a member of the 
board of trustees of Vallejo and for a similar period he acted as president of 
the board of health. During 1883 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Katherine O'Brien, a native of Ireland. They are the parents of four children. 
The eldest, Timothy P., is a machinist at the Mare Island navy yard ; he 
married Miss Anna Reidy of San Francisco, and has one son, Ignatius. James, 
the second son, is with his father. Marie E., the only daughter, is a young 
lady of excellent education; and Vincent P., the youngest son, graduated from 
the Vallejo high school in 1910, and graduated from the commercial depart- 
ment in 1911. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 345 

WILLIAM MORS]-. FISHER. 

The value of horticulture as a profit producing adjunct t<> the varied 
activities of the farmers of Napa county has been proved in so many instances 
that the experience of William Morse Fisher is needed less to prove that 
point than to depict his success in developing the old home place where he 
was horn and reared. To an unusual degree prosperity has rewarded his 
efforts. This result may be attributed to his energy, determination and 
intelligent application to whatever duty is hefore him. Early in life he became 
convinced that the soil and climate ^\ Napa county were suited to the 
production of fruit, particularly oi prunes, which accordingly he has made 
his specialty. His orchard of one hundred and fifteen acres comprises prunes 
almost wholly and recently lie planted twenty acres in a new prune orchard. 
From his old prune orchard the average yield is five tons of green fruit to 
the acre, but during the season of 1910 he took one hundred and twenty tons 
from fifteen acres, which stands listed among the record yields of the state. 

Born in 1865 on the farm where he now lives, William Morse Fisher is a 
sou of the late William A. and Sarah (Atwood) Fisher, and is a grandson of 
John and Elizabeth Fisher, descendants of ancient Scotch families. His 
father was born in Rosshire, Scotland, March 13, 1820. and at the age of ten 
years accompanied his parents to Upper Canada, where he grew to manhood 
upon a farm and latter took up agricultural pursuits on his own behalf. 
During the year 1850 he left Canada and went to New York, where he boarded 
a vessel hound for California and, after a voyage lasting a little more than 
three months, he arrived in San Francisco during September of the same year. 
For twelve months or more he worked at the gold mines, after which for a 
season he farmed near Marysville. 

From January of 1853 William A. Fisher was identified with the history 
of the Napa valley. Immediately after his arrival he bought a tract of raw 
land, but this he sold the following year. For twelve months he engaged in 
the purchase and shipping of grain at Napa. At the end of that time he 
removed to a farm he had previously purchased, the same comprising a tract 
of three hundred and fifty acres situated two miles northwest of Napa on the 
St. Helena road. The former owner had been C. Fry and the land was devoted 
to the raising of stock and farm products. During 1864 the new owner 
brought a bride to the country home and the young couple began house- 
keeping in the little farm house, where the following year their eldest child, 
William Morse, was born. The father remained there until his death in 1898, 
meanwhile engaging in general farming and taking a warm interest in all 
movements for the uplifting of the community. Principles of sound policy 
were advanced by him. From the organization of the Republican party he 
aided and sustained its local work. In the co-operative movement for the 
advancement of all interests connected with agriculture, he intelligently per- 
formed his part and to general progressive projects he contributed his quota. 
In the list of the pioneers of the county his name justly occupies a prominent 
place 

After studying for some years in the schools of Napa county, William 
Morse Fi-her was sent by his father to the old Canadian country and there 
he had the privilege of attending a large college in Toronto. Since his return 
to California he has remained at the old home ranch, and has devoted his 
attention to fruit-growing and shipping. During the year 1904 he erected at 
Union Station, near his home, a large packing plant with every equipment 
necessary and with all the modern machinery for the drying and packing of 
fruit. In addition to the fruit raised in his own orchards he buys largely from 
other growers and usually ships from fifty to seventy-five cars of fruit per 
annum. Such is the care used in the drying and packing that his brands of 
18 



346 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

prunes bring the very highest market prices in the eastern cities, a fact that 
furnishes abundant testimony as to his skill in the industry. With his wife, 
who was Miss Anna Behlow, a native of San Francisco, he has a cozy country 
home, brightened by the presence of their daughter, Florence, a well-educated 
young lady, and their son, William D. 



HON. JAMES McCUDDEN. 

Whatever of success may have rewarded the resourceful activities of 
James McCudden and whatever of prominence he attained in the public 
affairs of his county, such success and such prominence may be attributed 
to the resolute perseverance which he exhibited in every association of life 
and to the keen intelligence which guided his investments in the city of his 
adoption. Always he regretted his lack of early advantages, but he had the 
compensation of self-reliance and independence developed through the stern 
struggles of youth. Born in 1837 in County Fermanagh, Ireland, into the 
home of Michael and Catherine (Smith) McCudden, both natives of Ireland, 
he began the struggle for a livelihood at an early age. but the necessity for 
self-support did not prevent the development of a robust constitution and 
stalwart physique. While a mere boy he determined to come to the United 
States, but the carrying out of his plan was not possible until he was sixteen 
years of age. After he had crossed the ocean he secured employment in the 
city of New York in 1853, and for a few years was employed in a wholesale 
crockery store, beginning as an office boy and working up to the position of 
expert china packer. About 1857 he came to California. The expenses of the 
trip had been so heavy that he arrived in the west almost penniless, a condition 
that his industry soon changed to one of increasing prosperity. 

After having saved a small capital through his frugal economy, Mr. 
McCudden in 1861 opened the Union Hotel at Vallejo. and in a short time he 
added to his duties those of agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company 
in his home town, a position that he held until his death. August 12, 1902. 
The hotel business he finally abandoned and in 1874 he established the busi- 
ness that still is conducted by some of his heirs. The yard at first was used 
only for coal, but in 1876 he put in a large stock of lumber and later he opened 
a meat market. While progressing in the fields of commercial enterprise, he 
was no less active in local projects and in the councils of the Democratic 
party. For several terms he served as city trustee and for some time acted as 
president of the city council. The high estimation in which he was held by 
others found abundant expression in his long retention as county supervisor 
and in his election to the California state senate by a flattering majority. As 
senator he was able to secure legislation of direct interest to the people of 
Solano county. 

October 14, 1861, Mr. McCudden married Veronica Horn, who was born 
in Bavaria, Germany, and came to California about 1857. Two years later 
her father, Matthew .Horn, came to this state, accompanied by his wife and 
other members of the family. From the time of her marriage until her death, 
which occurred March 25, 1906, she remained a resident of Vallejo, where 
she reared her children and assisted her husband in the building up of a 
beautiful homestead. Their family consisted of eight children, six now living, 
namely: Mary A., wife of Webster Edson, of Sacramento; James H., who 
died December 21, 1896, at the age of thirty-one years; Genevieve, wife of 
Walter Bollard, of Sacramento; Thomas and Leo, both of whom are married 
and reside in Vallejo; and Miss Katherine, who remains at the old homestead. 
The home, which she still occupies, is one of the most beautiful in the locality. 
When the site was purchased years ago by Mr. McCudden he filled in a part 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 347 

of the water front for a lawn, which he adorned with shade trees and broad 
walks. Rowers in profusion add to the beauty of the place and the bay may 
be seen through fascinating vistas of foliage. 



CHARLES BENJAMIN DEMING. 

In this era of activity, when a restless desire for new scenes leads people 
from one point to another, it is refreshing to come in contact with one of those 
honored pioneers who. through long identification with one spot, bestows upon 
his old homestead an affection that cannot be measured by dollars and cents. 
Such a pioneer is Charles B. Deming, one of the oldest surviving settlers of 
Solano county, and the possessor of a unique record in that he has resided 
on the same farm for fifty-six years, or since the year 1855. Originally sum- 
moned here by the request of his father that lu take charge of the land, he 
reluctantly gave up the mining interests that filled his days with variety and 
a fascinating charm. The country was lonely; settlers were few; of improve- 
ments there were few or none ; little there was to attract a young man fond 
of life and enjoying the pleasures of intercourse with others. Yet as the 
years passed by he found that his love for the place constantly increased. To 
this place he brought his bride after he had kept bachelor's hall for a long 
period. Here his children were reared and trained for lives of usefulness. 
Mere, with characteristic energy, he planted the first orchard for miles around. 
The venture, critically inspected by others, finally won the commendation of 
all who witnessed the large harvests of fruit gathered and sold. At this writ- 
ing he has ninety acres, about one-half of which is in fruit and nuts, a specialty 
being made of the almond. All of the trees on the place were planted, pruned 
and developed by the present owner, who has transformed an unattractive 
tract of land into an abode of beauty as well as a source of profit. Mr. Deming 
planted a row of cypress trees which have grown very large, hence he has 
given the [dace the name of Cypress Hill. 

Born in the city of Xew York. March 29, 1837, Charles B. Deming is a 
son of Capt. John and Clarissa (Hillard) Deming, natives of Preston, Conn., 
the father born January 9, 1792, and the mother January 29 of the same year. 
Their marriage was solemnized in their native city September 11, 1817, and 
resulted in the birth of six children, namely: Ann L., who was born July 10, 
1821. and died July 21. 1857; John F., who was born July 9, 1823, and died 
in Oakland in 1904; Edward, who was born March 18, 1826, and died March 
1. 1X52; Clarissa J., who was born June 19, 1829, and died June 23, 1830; 
Charles, born October 29. 1832. and deceased November 30, 1833; and Charles 
Benjamin, whose name introduces this article. The father went to sea at the 
age of sixteen years in 1808 and rose so rapidly that at the age of twenty-one 
he commanded a vessel. For a long period he continued to follow the sea, 
his last ocean voyage being on the United States government ship Iowa, 
which brought General Riley and his troops to California and cast anchor at 
Monterey early in 1849. From that place the captain proceeded to Benicia 
and bought a large tract of wild land, but this he put into the care of his sons, 
while he himself engaged as a pilot between Benicia. Vallejo and San Fran- 
cisco. His wife had died in Xew York City, December 18, 1846, and his demise 
occurred in 1861. Their son. the late John F. Deming, came to California 
during June of 1849 and for a few months engaged in mining on the north fork 
of the American river. During December of 1849 he came to Sacramento and 
opened a general store on K street, but the great flood of 1850 caused him to 

p.ll of his property. Returning to Xew York City in 1852 he there married 
Mehetabel Gerow. who accompanied him to California the following year. 
For a time he was employed as bookkeeper at the Mare Island navy yard, but 
resigned in 1855 and went back east. Upon his return in 1856 he settled at 



348 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the home ranch near Benicia, where he resided until he sold his interest and 
located in Oakland. Surviving him are two children, Clara and Henry B. 

While engaged in mining in Meadow valley, Plumas county, Charles B. 
Deming received a summons from his father to go to Benicia and take charge 
of a ranch which had been purchased prior to that time. In answer to the 
request he took up his abode on the estate and here he has since remained, 
devoting himself with assiduous care to the management of the property, 
which now belongs to himself and is exceedingly valuable. To this place in 
1868 he brought his wife, Mrs. Anna (Jackson) Corwin, born in Washington- 
ville, Orange county, N. Y., and died at the homestead Cypress Hill, near 
Glencove, leaving three children, Charles Edward, Minnie and Frances, the 
last-named being the wife of George Munroe, of Vallejo. The two former 
reside with their father, aiding him in the management of the place. 



CHRISTIAN STEURY. 

Born in Switzerland, June 15, 1859, Christian Steury came to the United 
States in 1877 as an emigrant on a French steamer sailing from Havre. On 
his arrival in the new world he worked in a hotel and earned the money 
necessary to defray his expenses as far as Omaha. There for a time he 
worked on a dairy ranch. With his earnings he bought a horse, saddle and 
blanket, and then, in company with four other young emigrants, he started 
across the plains horseback for California. The usual route was followed 
along the North Platte, on to Salt Lake, thence across the sink of the Hum- 
boldt into California, where the party disbanded at Cascade. Securing em- 
ployment in the mines he worked for eighteen hours a day until he had earned 
$20. Already he had experienced many troubles since immigrating to the 
new world and further unpleasant experiences awaited him. While there he 
was sent to clean out the pipe that was the outlet to the lake that supplied 
the railroad company and mine with water. He completed the task, but took 
such a cold it resulted in a paralysis that lasted for many months. He was 
then sent to Sacramento and put in a hospital, but it was not until a year 
later that he regained the use of his limbs. Meanwhile his $20, his horse and 
saddle were stolen, and he was left with practically nothing, feeble in health 
and unable to endure sustained labor. 

Seeking light employment Mr. Steury went to Oakland and secured work 
in a brewery, where he remained for six months, his task being the care of 
the malt. Next he went to a dairy ranch as a laborer and in 1881 he came to 
Napa county, where he now resides near St. Helena. At this writing he 
leases two hundred acres for $1,000 per year and engages in the raising of 
grain; also has a vineyard of sixteen acres. Four work horses are kept on 
the farm and twelve cows form a dairy of great value to the net profits of the 
place. In former years he milked as many as forty-five head of cows and 
such was his energy that he spent the entire night at the task of milking, 
while during the day he hauled rock to be used in the construction of the 
largest wine cellar in the world. He now owns twenty acres three miles 
south of St. Helena, all in alfalfa. During the year 1892, sometime after he 
had located on his present ranch in Napa county and after he had experienced 
many previous hardships in his travels through the country, he was horned 
by a cow in the eye and lost the sight in it. About the year 1899 his team 
ran away and threw him from the wagon, breaking his thigh in such a manner 
that he was left permanently lame. When working on a barn about the year 
1904 he sustained a fall in which two ribs were broken and his head quite 
seriously injured. 

The marriage of Mr. Steury united him with Miss Mary Thomann, who 
was born in Switzerland and accompanied her mother and sister to the 





Xf <^CZjJZj 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 351 

United State-, settling in Napa county. The} arc the parent- of four children: 
Christian I'.. Rosa A.. Lilla M. and Emma A., the youngest still at home with 
her parent-. Christian F. is with the Southern Pacific Railroad. Rosa A. 
i- the wife of Frederick Schurtz and the mother of three sons. Frederick, 
Clifford and Leslie. Lilla M. is the wife of Henry Gilbert, and the mother of 
one child, Vivian A., the family living in San Francisco. The family hold 
membership with the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Steury has given to its 
missionary enterprises as his means justified. Politically, he is a Republican. 
For twenty years or more he has Keen identified with the local lodge of 
Druids, and still keeps posted concerning its activities and charities. 



JOHN STEPHEN MAYES. 

The life history of John Stephen Mayes, now deceased, who was one of 

the pioneers oi Solano county. Cal., is familiar to all in this section of the 
state, and although he had followed ranching pursuits in the vicinity of Dixon 
for more than half a century, to the very end he maintained an active interest 
in business affairs and commercial industries. He was born in Princeton. 
Ind.. March 16, 1829, a son of John and Isabel (McCormick) Mayes. His 
parents moved to Missouri when he was a child, and it was in that state that 
he grew to manhood, being reared on a farm. In 1850 he was lured to the 
it by the mining prospects, and leaving his home he crossed the intervening 
country to California, where, for two and one-half years, he followed pros- 
pecting and mining along the American river and other sections of the state. 
However, he met with but little success, and having to borrow money to come 
to California, he had to work hard in order to pay this back from his first 
earnings. Although not successful in his mining operations, Mr. Mayes, was 
favorably impressed with the country and with the future of the western 
state, and he felt confident in those early days that California would eventually 
become a farming country. In the course of his travels he met Eli Emerson, 
who told him of the vast plains stretching away to the west of Sacramento, 
where nature produced abundant supplies. In 1856 he came to Solano county 
and in this section all his interests were centered. He selected a quarter 
section of land and preempted the same, plowing forty acres of it and sowing 
barley. His next move was to build a board house, measuring 14x16 feet. 
In this way. by having things very primitive, he obtained a start on the land 
and laid the foundation for the building of his fortune. After fencing his land 
he added stock and fruit raising to his industries. He met with many dis- 
couragements, and during the dry spell in 1857-58-59, when barley yielded 
only from seven to ten bushels per acre, he still persisted and won success. 
He later built a fine residence on his land. 

From a small beginning Mr. Mayes became a large land owner and 
successful farmer. Among his extensive possessions was a tract of twelve 
hundred acres in one piece, also four hundred and eighty acres in another, 
adjoining Dixon on the west. His farms were well stocked with cattle, horses, 
-beep and hogs in large number-. 

Mr. Mayes was twice married, first to Frances H. Hood, a native of Iowa, 
and a daughter of Monroe Hood, who came to California in 1864 and settled 
in Solano county, where he died. Mrs. Frances Mayes died in Dixon in 1883. 
In September. 1884. Mr. Mayes was married to Miss Anna Dunham, a native 
of Missouri. Two children blessed this union, John S. and Roy D. The 
former fell from a horse and was accidentally killed when he was ten years 
old. The latter is the representative of his father. Mr. Mayes passed away 
in June. 1907. I lis personality was pleasing and his rugged, open hearted 
manner made him a welcome visitor in any gathering. Behind his unassuming 
quietness was hidden all the courteous grace and true dignity of the thorough 
gentleman. 



352 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

MADISON SPEAR. 

To Madison Spear, now deceased, belongs the distinction of having 
planted the first grafted apple trees in California. One of the trees he planted, 
now forty-four years old, is bearing today and may be seen in the old garden 
at St. Helena, Napa county. The annals tell us that Mr. Spear was born in 
New York state in May, 1815. In 1847 he set out on the trip across the plains 
with an ox-team train, nine months being consumed before he reached his 
journey's end. The party met the now famous Whitcomb party just the day 
before they were killed, on the Oregon trail. The Indians did not bother 
them and, with the exception of one man killed and one drowned, the party 
remained intact. When the Spear party reached the head of the Columbia 
river, they built boats, cutting the wood from the forests for this purpose, 
and these they sent over the rapids, having loaded them with their goods 
and some of the party that had fallen sick. Then they commenced to tow 
the boats down the river. From a party they met coming up river they pur- 
chased some provisions, paying as much as $50 for a sack of flour. They 
had a wedding, a funeral and a birth on the trip. Rev. Asa White, father of 
Mrs. Spear and captain Of the train, performed the wedding ceremony. 

On arriving in California, Mr. and Mrs. Madison Spear first went to San 
Jose Mission, remaining there for a few months, and later on located on 
Humboldt Bay. One of the men crossing the plains in the Spear train 
brought with him some eastern fruit trees, a small nursery in fact, and from 
him Mr. Spear succeeded in getting a few hundred of the apple trees, and 
these he set out in 1851. In addition to planting these trees on Humboldt 
Ray he also planted some of them in his own garden in St. Helena, Napa 
county, about 1867. Later Mr. Spear went to Sonoma county and then came 
back to Napa county, locating in the Hitchcock canyon, where he ran a grist 
mill for two years. One of the treasures of the family today is the chest of 
carpenter's tools that the ancestor brought across the plains with him in 
1847, it being in the possession of the son on the old home place in St. Helena. 
Mr. Spear died November 21, 1891, after having lived a useful life and striving, 
to the best of his ability, to live the principle of the golden rule. 

In February, 1836, Mr. Spear was married to Miss Jane White, a native 
of Pennsylvania, and the following children were born to them : Asa, now 
of Oakland ; Etta, Mrs. Kisler, deceased ; Mary, Mrs. Sewall ; Hattie, Mrs. 
Haskins, and Edwin C. Spear of St. Helena. 

Edwin C. Spear was born in 1860 near Healdsburg, Sonoma county, and 
in youth attended the public schools. Later he assisted his father in the care 
of the ranch at St. Helena, and after his father's demise he became possessor 
of the place and now carries it on. The ranch is well cared for and presents 
a pleasing sight to the traveler. It is twenty-five acres in extent, and culti- 
vated to prunes, berries and alfalfa. In 1894 Mr. Spear married Miss Laura 
Bishop, a native of Calistoga, Cal., and they have one son, Roy. 

Rev. Asa White, the father of Mrs. Jane Spear, was a Methodist Epis- 
copal minister in Illinois before coming to California. On his arrival he 
founded and organized the first congregation of the Methodist Episcopal 
denomination in California, and assisted in raising the money to build the 
first church of that denomination in San Francisco, known as the Taylor 
Street Church. It is interesting to chronicle that in his zeal for its success 
he went into the saloons and gambling places and the men gathered there 
listened to his request and donated generously. In Humboldt Bay he also 
started a congregation, besides organizing and building the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church at Kelseyville, in which he labored until he retired from the 
ministry. His last days were passed in his home in St. Helena, adjoining the 
ranch of his son-in-law, Madison Spear, and there he died. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 353 

NIELS CHRIST] \N ANDERSON. 

\ native of Denmark, Niels Christian Anderson was horn in Odcnse, 
Fyen, April 16, 1851. His boyhood was passed in attending the public schools 
of his birthplace and also in working on a farm, and in spite of the fact that 
at the age oi fifteen years he was able to d>> a man's work he received only 
$4.20 per month. When he was twenty years old he determined to come to 
the United States, setting OUl alone, and in tine time he came to Sonoma 
county. Cal. As his health was poor for about two years he was content that 
he was aide to drive a team, for which he received $1 a day. and he continued 
this employment until 1876. 

Mr. Anderson's marriage in Rio Vista. October 8. 1876. united him with 
Miss Annie Christine Thorhaven, who was horn in Sleswick, when it was 
under the Danish flag. To this union there were horn nine children, all native 
sons and daughters. Louise Anderson, educated at the public school and at 
Mt. St. Gertrude's Academy of Rio Vista, now resides in Rio Vista; she 
is the wife of James Calahan and they have three children ; Andrew Niels 
married Minnie Nagle, and is now employed with the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road at Sacramento, where they reside with their child; William Randolph 
married Georgia Campbell of Rio Vista, and with his wife and one child lives 
at home with his parents; Holger Walter married Miss Rosie Bennett, and 
now has charge of one of his father's ranches on Sherman Island, where he 
resides with his wife and child; Niels Christian, who married Nell McClaren, 
has charge of another of his father's ranches on Sherman Island; Edward 
Albert, educated in the public school, took a course in Hill's Business College 
at Sacramento, and is now employed as the foreman of the testing room in 
the Sampson Iron Works at Stockton, Cal. ; Annie Christine, educated at Mt. 
St. Gertrude's Academy in Rio Vista, is the widow of Xorris R. Mayhood, 
who died December 20, 1907. and she now resides with her parents; Clarence 
Clayton, who was educated in the public school and took a term in Hill's 
Business College in Sacramento, now resides with his parents ; Iva Leora 
Anderson, educated in the preparatory school in Rio Vista, later attending 
Mills College. Oakland, is now at home with her parents. 

After his marriage. Mr. Anderson first rented tule land, and erected his 
own buildings thereon. During the first three years floods devastated the 
property, and caused him to lose $3,000. He then rented some high land, but 
after a good season at the end of the second year, a fire consumed his hay in 
the Toland warehouse, which was not insured. Not deterred by this second 
disaster, Mr. Anderson then rented four hundred acres, which he worked 
for a number of years. He and his brothers then rented three thousand acres 
for seven years. In 1900 he bought five hundred and ninety-five acres of land, 
four years later three hundred acres more, still later ninety acres, in 1906 
another one hundred and fifty-six acres and in 1911 bought seventy-five acres 
more; at this time his holdings amount to thirteen hundred and fifty acres. 
Seven hundred acres of this land are on Sherman Island and devoted to the 
raising of beans, onions, potatoes and alfalfa. In 1910 the crops from this 
portion of his estate netted $35,000. beans alone bringing $30,000. The six 
hundred acres of his estate at home are planted to grain, as well as being 
devoted to the raising of stock for the market. He also breeds and raises 
full blooded horses, at the head of which is Louis, a full-blooded imported 
Norman from France, a beautiful black, twenty-one hundred and sixty pounds, 
purchased for $4,000, and which is the finest horse in the county. Mr. Ander- 
son also breeds and raises sheep for the market. His ranch is located four 
miles west of Rio Vista and is well improved with modern conveniences. 

Politically. Mr. Anderson is a Republican. He held the position of school 
trustee for the Toland district for many years. He came to this country with- 



354 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



out a dollar, and in thirty-eight years, in the face of great reverses, has 
amassed more than $125,000. He is a member of Rio Vista Lodge No. 165, 
F. & A. M., and himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church 
at Rio Vista. 



O. E. CLARK. 

The same characteristics that enabled Mr. Clark to give to his country 
efficient, patriotic service during the entire period of the Civil war afterward 
assisted him in the attainment of a gratifying degree of personal success in 
business. Life presented meager opportunities to him in the years of boy- 
hood. Destiny had reserved for him a deep bereavement in the loss of a de- 
voted father at a time when his helpful guidance was most keenly needed. 
The family had been residents of Erie county, N. Y., and his birth occurred 
there in 1844, but four years later the father took wife and children to Michi- 
gan, hoping to better his condition in a new, undeveloped agricultural region. 
Establishing a frontier home in Kent county, he had started to gain a foothold 
as a farmer when death ended his labors in 1856, leaving the family with little 
means in a new country. The widow returned to New York with the children, 
but in 1861 brought them again to Michigan, and about the same time the son, 
O. E., enlisted as a member of the First Michigan Regiment of Engineers and 
Mechanics, attached to the army of the Cumberland. It was the duty of the 
regiment to build forts, railroads and bridges, but toward the close of the war 
the men were placed under the command of General Sherman and made the 
famous march to the sea, later participating in the grand review of troops at 
Washington. 

The young soldier returned to his Michigan home with honors deservedly 
won, and a record for efficiency unusual for one whose majority had been at- 
tained only at the expiration of the war. Securing employment in his home 
county he took up the task of earning a livelihood and submerged the thrilling 
experiences of war beneath the quiet avocations of peace. Although fairly 
successful he was not satisfied in Michigan and during 1879 he sought the 
opportunities of the West. His first location was at Leadville. Colo., where 
he engaged in the lumber business, also in surveying and in mining. From 
Colorado he came to California in 1890 and settled in Napa, where he had 
charge of building the electric light plant for the Thompson-Houston Electric 
Light Company. On the completion of the plant he was made its manager, a 
position that he filled with marked ability from the first. 

Transferred by the Thompson-Houston Company to the road as a travel- 
ing salesman, Mr. Clark made his headquarters at Oakland from 1892 until 
the fall of 1897, when he was sent back to Napa by the company to fill the 
position of manager of the electric light works. During the following year the 
plant changed hands. The Napa Gas & Electric Light Company was organized 
and he was retained as manager by the new owners. The Pacific Gas & Elec- 
tric Company took over the plant in 1901, retaining him as manager, which 
position he continues to fill. Through all the changes in ownership he has 
been called on to remain in the same position, a fact that testifies abundantly 
as to the value put on his services and the general recognition of his thorough 
equipment for this line of work. For twelve years or more he has been identi- 
fied with the Pacific Coast Gas Association, an organization whose membership 
comprises representatives of all the gas companies west of the Rocky moun- 
tains. 

While still a resident of Michigan, Mr. Clark married Miss Vera M. Hyde, 
a native of New York, and at the time of their marriage in 1869 a resident of 
Rockford, Mich., where she had received an excellent education. Their union 
was blessed with one son, Ray D., born in Michigan in 1872. Coming to Napa 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES .^7 

strangers, Mr. and Mrs. ilark soon won the friendship of people of culture and 
refinement and have continued to be leaders <>f thought in their community. 
In addition to his business affairs. Mr. (."lark has hern active in several fra- 
ternities, including the blue lodge "\ Masonry, the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. 



REV. JAMES MITCHELL. 

\ native ^i Ireland. Rev. James Mitchell was horn in County Down, 
April 6, 1841. After attending the common schools of his native place he 
prepared for college at the Belfast Royal Academy, and then entered Queen's 
College. Belfast, where he took a degree that placed him in a position to 
advance in his chosen calling. Graduating with the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts in 1866, he then passed one year in the Theological College. Belfast, 
going from there to Magee College. Londonderry, where he took a two-year 
course. This, together with the year he spent in Assembly Hall. Belfast, gave 
him a splendid theological education. In 1869 he was ordained pastor of the 
Presbyterian Church at Curran. County Deny. For four years he was actively 
engaged in preaching the gospel and attending to a pastorate in that county 
before he joined the tide of emigration that had set westward from his home 
land. It was in 1873 that he came to America as a home missionary, whose 
specific duty it was to assist in the upbuilding of the smaller and weaker 
churches of his faith. In connection with this work in May, 1873, he came 
direct to Calistoga. Xapa county. Cal.. where he took charge of a new church 
that was heavily in debt at the time of his advent. By his able and masterful 
ability he was successful in clearing a debt of SI. 800 in one year. 

In connection with his work at Calistoga Mr. Mitchell also held services 
at St. Helena, and in May. 1874, he organized the St. Helena Presbyterian 
Church with sixteen members. The congregation now numbers one hundred 
and the church is free from debt. For twenty years Mr. Mitchell served both 
churches, but of late has given all of his time to St. Helena. The church 
property at this place is valued at S8.000. and in addition to the main audi- 
torium there is a finely appointed Sunday school room, where social gatherings 
are held during the week. There is no parsonage connected with the church, 
but Mr. Mitchell owns his own house on Crane avenue, besides which he also 
has a thirteen-acre prune orchard. At the time he purchased this latter property 
it was a hay field, but by indomitable energy he has improved it, planting the 
prune orchard and shade trees, besides building a residence, all of which has 
greatly increased the value of the property. 

Mr. Mitchell's marriage in 1883 united him with Sophie M. Alstrom. the 
daughter of S. Alstrom. an early settler of St. Helena. He it was who buiit 
the White Sulphur Springs, that ultimately became one of the fashionable 
resorts of California. Two sons were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. 
Mitchell : John A., a civil engineer with the Southern Pacific Railroad at 
Oakland, Cal.. and James H., a graduate of the University of California and 
now a post graduate in architecture. Fraternally Mr. Mitchell is a Mason, 
being a member of the St. Helena blue lodge and chapter. He is a man that 
takes great pleasure in hunting and fishing and he has spent some leisure 
time with his two sons in the mountains near his home. 

Mr. Mitchell has a very strong hold on the people of St. Helena, where 
his influence is greatly felt, and he is universally called by outsiders to officiate 
at marriage^ as well as funerals. When the synod met in Berkeley he was 
unanimously elected moderator of the synod of California, the highest office 
in the gift of the clergy of the Presbyterian Church in the state. 



358 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

JAMES L. MILES. 

Although Mr. Miles passed from the scene of life's activities many years 
ago, the impress which his noble, upright life made upon the community in 
which he lived for so many years, is still felt and reference is often made to 
the t ; me when he lived and labored among his fellow-citizens in Suisun valley. 
A native of the south, he was born in Davidson county, Tenn., near Nashville, 
March 3, 1822, the son of parents who followed farming for a livelihood. The 
son remained on the farm where he was born until he was about sixteen years 
of age, when his ambition to earn wages led him to accept a rather menial 
position on a steamboat plying the Cumberland river. His desire to get ahead 
in the world made him faithful to any task assigned him and as a result he 
was honored with advancement and during the twelve years that he followed 
river boating he worked in various capacities on a number of boats, during the 
last five years being engaged as pilot. 

While discharging his duties in this latter capacity, news reached him 
of the finding of gold in California, and thereafter he knew no peace of mind 
until he was on his way to the Eldorado. April 5, 1850, was the day that 
marked the beginning of his long journey to the west, crossing the plains with 
ox teams, and August 20 he arrived at Hangtown, now Placerville, one hun- 
dred and thirty-seven days being consumed in covering the distance from the 
Missouri river. His mining experience was of the average rather than of 
the exceptional order, a few weeks of the miner's life sufficing to prove to him 
that his efforts did not lie in that direction. From Placerville he went to 
Sacramento, looking about in the hope of finding employment, but as none 
was forthcoming he came to Solano county and arrived in Suisun Valley 
October 21, 1850, depleted in strength and in finances as well. He was grati- 
fied to find work awaiting him at $4 a day and by saving his earnings he was 
able to lay by a neat sum for future use. In 1851 he settled on what was 
thought to be government land in the valley and began farming, making a 
specialty of raising potatoes. In July, 1852, he made the first shipment of 
produce from Suisun on the steamer Ann Sophia, Josiah Wing being the 
owner and captain. Following a short visit to his old home in Tennessee in 
1857, Mr. Miles returned to the land on which he had previously settled in 
the Suisun Valley. Instead of being government land as he had supposed, 
it proved to be a part of the Suisun grant claimed and held by a Mr. Ritchie. 
Those who had in good faith purchased land in the grant came together in 
their common grievance and in the name of the citizens' league undertook to 
protect the title to their farms, Mr. Miles being a prominent member and one 
of the officers of the league. A long and stubborn fight for justice ensued, 
but the case was decided in favor of Mr. Ritchie and the disappointed settlers 
were compelled to seek locations elsewhere. In December, 1858, Mr. Miles 
went to the Montezuma hills and for a time lived near Morse's Landing, two 
years later removing to a location six miles north of Rio Vista. Eight years 
later he sold that ranch and in October of 1869 returned to Suisun valley, in 
July of the following year purchasing the ranch of ninety acres on which he 
passed the remainder of his life. 

On December 18, 1851, James L. Miles was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary J. Quentien, who at her death, in 1866, left an only daughter, Mary, also 
deceased. In 1877 Mr. Miles married Mrs. Melinda Angelina McKinley, a 
native of Arkansas and the daughter of Edward and Mary (Gregory) Samuels, 
natives of Alabama. From Arkansas Mr. and Mrs. Samuels removed to Cali- 
fornia in 1854, crossing the plains overland with horses and oxen, their 
daughter. Mrs. Miles, then being only two years of age. Mr. Samuels settled 
on a farm in the upper Suisun valley, and was accidentally killed by a horse 
when fifty years of age. By her first marriage Mrs. Miles had three children : 
Samuel McKinley, of Point Richmond, Cal. ; Elizabeth J., the wife of R. Clay- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 359 

ton, of Xapa; and Alice Lee. Mrs. William Reams, of Gordon Valley. One 
daughter, Gussie. Mrs. lloxie, of Sacramento, was born of the second marriage. 

The citizens of Suisun were drawn together in common sorrow on July 30, 
1 ( >00. when it became known that James L. Miles was no more. Their grief 
was keener from the fact that he was cut off while in the enjoyment of good 
health, the result of an accident. The buggy in which he was driving to 
Suisun was struck at the cannery crossing by a west bound Pacific Express 
train and Mr. Miles was killed instantly. He was mourned as a good citizen 
and neighbor and as a thoroughly honest man, one who was worthy of the 
respect which lie enjoyed during his residence of half a century in Solano 
county. 

Closely following upon the sudden death of her husband. Mrs. Miles was 
called upon to mourn the loss of other relatives. In April, 1901, her mother, 
Mrs. Mary Samuels, died at the age of seventy-one years, five months and 
sixteen days. In November of the same year a niece was killed by being 
thrown from a horse: she was Jessie L. Wiley, aged eleven years, three 
months and fifteen days. A sister of Mrs. Miles. Mrs. Amanda E. Wiley, 
and the mother of the child just mentioned, died in February, 1903. Since 
the death of her husband Mrs. Miles has resided upon her ranch of two hun- 
dred acres seven miles northwest of Suisun. where she superintends the 
orchards and keeps the ranch up to a high standard. Her orchard consists of 
prunes, apricots and almonds, and the land not in orchard is devoted to the 
raising of grain, hay and as pasturage for stock. While the care of her ranch 
occupies the most of her time, she is not unmindful of those less fortunately 
situated than herself and is well liked b} r every one. 



FRANK WOLFSKILL. 

The privilege of traveling to other parts of the world, nothwithstanding 
the fact that he has enjoyed a residence in California during the greater part 
of his life, has been accorded to Frank Wolfskill. one of the well-known fruit- 
growers of Solano county and a representative of a family honored in action 
and leaders in pioneer development. Personally he has no knowledge of 
California as a frontier region. His earliest memories cluster around scenes 
of refinement, a high civilization and the uplifting influences of a keen general 
intelligence. Born in October of 1873, he entered into the advantages ren- 
dered possible by the efforts of the early settlers and received the educational 
advantages for which the state long has been noted. 

After having remained at home until 1897. Mr. Wolfskill then took a trip 
north which lasted three months. Next he started from Seattle for the 
Argentina and enjoyed a prolonged experience in ocean travel. Following 
his return to San Francisco he settled in the old home enrivonment and has 
since leased and operated a fruit farm. The tract comprises forty-nine and 
one-half acres, of which twenty acres are in fruit and the balance in crops or 
pasture. During the season of 1910 sixty tons of apricots were harvested 
from the farm and the crop brought the highest market prices owing to the 
superior quality of the fruit. 

Mr. Wolfskill married Miss Myrtle Cooper, a resident of Solano county. 
With his wife, who has efficiently served as associate matron, he has been 
active in the work of the Eastern Star. The blue lodge and commandery of 
the Masonic Order also number him among their members. Independent in 
his pohtical views, he has never given allegiance to any party nor has he ever 
been a candidate for office. In his possession are a number of interesting 
articles sent him by his fathe-. Edward Wolfskill, who is now located at Angel 
Island in San Francisco harbor. During the period of his service in the 
Philippine Islands as quartermaster's clerk he was stationed principally at 



360 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Mindanao, from which island he sent his son an assortment of woods native 
to the place, including a block of black ebony wood that had been in the 
possession of one single Spanish family for three hundred years. He also 
sent a rifle, a cocoanut raincoat such as the natives wear, and five panels from 
the old Spanish fortress, Fort Zamboanga. This grim and formidable struc- 
ture, which cast its frowning gaze over the Basilan Strait and the great ocean 
beyond, was commenced by the Spaniards in 1635, but was not completed 
until 1730. From that time it was in constant use as a soldiers' barracks until 
the occupancy of the islands by the American troops in 1898, when the old 
building was torn down. 



EARL GRAY WILSON. 

There are many to whom electricity is an uncanny spirit, mysterious and 
unknown. Others, however, possess a natural bent toward the science and 
are never more interested than when solving the problems incident to its use. 
To the latter class belongs Mr. Wilson, a young electrician residing in Napa, 
and known throughout this part of the state as a scientist of promise as well 
as a practical worker of experience and keen judgment. From youthful years 
he has been interested in electricity and has given to it the unreserved strength 
of his intellect, the result being that he has grasped its technicalities with 
unerring skill. Much of his electrical work has been done in Napa, but he has 
been called elsewhere to fill important contracts and always he has discharged 
his obligations with accuracy and skill, proving himself to be a master of his 
occupation. 

Born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., September 1, 1880, Mr. Wilson has 
been a resident of California since 1889, and received his grammar-school edu- 
cation principally in Trinity county, this state. His father, Friend W. Wilson, 
a California pioneer of the early '50s, became identified with Napa in that 
early day and helped in the building of the old Goodman and Revere houses. 
Later he went to Vallejo and was employed at the Mare Island navy yard. 
After several trips to New York state he eventually became a resident of 
Trinity county and there he made his home until his demise. By trade he was 
a millwright. In his work he was always reliable, energetic and painstaking. 
Like all pioneers, he was devoted to the land of his adoption and with unceasing 
pride he watched the early development of his adopted state, contributing to 
its progress by his own manly endeavors. 

The first position secured by Earl G Wilson after he had learned the 
electrician's business was in the electrical department of the mines in Trinity 
county. Later he worked for the Pacific States Telephone Company in San 
Francisco, Auburn and Sacramento. Next he entered the employ of the Pa- 
cific Gas & Electric Light Company as an electrician in their plants succes- 
sively in Oakland, Woodland and Napa, being with the company in this city 
for four years. During 1907 he embarked in the electrical business for him- 
self. The beginning was small. The equipment filled a small room in his home 
and there he had his office. Gradually the business has increased until now he 
owns a finely equipped plant on Main street and has been given the contract 
for all recent public buildings and private homes in Napa. In addition he has 
installed some of the equipment at the state experimental farm at Davisville, 
Yolo county, installed several private farmers' telephone lines outside of his 
home city, also installed a Program clock in the Napa high school, and has 
had charge of contracts for electricity in buildings in Vallejo and St. Helena. 
Recently he completed an important contract on the Hagen ranch east of 
Napa for Mr. Hestahl, and another recent contract was that for the lighting of 
the Spreckels stock farm near Napa. 

Notwithstanding a devotion to his chosen occupation that has precluded 










'C'&isuC'Cajcjs jr /tyz o^e^C *^6£ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIKS 363 

participation in political movements, Mr. Wilson has found the leisure to grai 

ifv his inclinations toward fraternal activities. Various lodges of Napa have 
the benefit of his energetic identification. Included among these may be men- 
tioned the Independent Onlerof Odd Fellows, Benevolent and Protective Or- 
der oi Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and he is also connected as an honorary 
member with the Pythian Sisters. In this part of the state he is well known as 
an expert electrician, who commands a broad knowledge of his chosen occu- 
pation and exhibits in his work the enthusiasm of the young combined with 
the tact, conservatism and caution of age and long experience. 



LINDSEY POWELL MARSHALL. 

The name of Marshall is well known to the residents of Solano county 
ami vicinity, for here the family has lived for a number of years and has been 
identified with all that is highest and best in community advancement. A 
native of Missouri, Lindsey 1'. Marshall was horn in Booneville. January 7, 
1843, the son iA Lindsey P. Marshal!. Sr. The father was the descendant of 
an old Virginia family, members of which later moved to Kentucky, and in 
Stanford, that state, his birth occurred in 1800. In 1850 he first came to 
California across the plains, and as stated in the history of Montezuma, be- 
came the oossessor of the Montezuma ranch. He continued the ownership of 
this property until his death, although he was engaged in farming near 
Benicia. He passed away at Rio Vista January 11, 1884. In maidenhood 
his wife was Sallie M. Knox, a native of Virginia, and in 1820 she moved to 
Missouri. In 1856 she came to California and joined her husband, and her 
death occurred in Oakland in 1894. when she was eighty-four years old. 

The year 1856 found Lindsey P. Marshall crossing the plains with other 
members of the family, their party being piloted by his oldest brother, John. 
The family first resided in Benicia, where Lindsey attended school, and in 
1861 he graduated from St. Augustine College. He then took up the study 
of law in the office of Haggin & Tevis of San Francisco, and in 1867 was 
admitted to the bar. Opening an office for the practice of his profession, he 
continued to practice until ill-health obliged him to give up further work in his 
profession, and it was this circumstance that induced him to locate upon his 
ranch in 1875. The old Montezuma ranch as it is known has been in posses- 
sion of the Marshall family for many years, and on this ranch was erected the 
fir^t house in Montezuma township. In its present improved condition the 
ranch represents much labor, for the owner is a man who believes in employ- 
ing modern implements and methods in order to bring about the best possible 
results. 



FREDERICK L. HUSMANN. 

The opening years of the twentieth century have witnessed the aroused 
interest of the government in movements for agricultural and horticultural ex- 
pansion. Formerly, to the detriment of the country's vast acreage, the na- 
tional executives held aloof, leaving each land owner to work out his problems 
by expensive experiments. Xow a unity of purpose is recognized and those 
who have the responsibility of developing the soil realize that back of them 
is the government support, which, if necessary, will take form in practical 
helpfulness. Modern methods have been adopted. Xew offices have been 
created and men of wide knowledge have risen to fill them, giving their best 
talents to the promotion of the specialties for which they have been engaged. 
A comparatively new position, and one whose importance cannot be over- 
estimated, is that of viticultural superintendent of the United States depart- 



364 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ment of agriculture, and since 1907 the occupant of this position in California 
has been F. L. Husmann, a man possessing a thorough knowledge of vines and 
grapes. Eminently qualified for the position by natural endowments and wide 
experience, he already has achieved commendable success in fostering and 
promoting the welfare of vineyards throughout the state. The best methods 
of pruning are thoroughly understood by him, as are also the most effective 
plans for conquering disease among the vines and increasing the output per 
acre. 

Born at Hermann, Gasconade county, Mo., December 18, 1868, Frederick 
L. Husmann is a son of George and Louisa (Kielmann) Husmann, who came 
to California during 1881 and settled in Napa county. The father took up land 
and developed a ranch, the management of which afterward was assumed by 
the two sons, George C. and F. L. Fruit was made a specialty and the raising 
of grapes interested father and sons in particular. Through long experience 
they became experts in the industry, and for years they were considered the 
best-posted men in the county in all details connected with grape culture. 
During the spring of 1903, F. L. Husmann was called to superintend the 
pruning of the vineyard of the Italian Vineyard Company, a tract of five thou- 
sand acres in Cucamonga, San Bernardino county, which has the distinction 
of being the largest vineyard in the world. During March of 1904 the Mount 
Diablo Vineyard Company engaged him to take charge of their vineyard in 
Contra Costa county, and he remained with them until the Italian Vineyard 
Company persuaded him to return to assume the management of their vast 
properties. Meanwhile he had attracted wide attention by his successful work 
in vineyards, and during the spring of 1907 his ability was recognized by his 
appointment as viticultural superintendent of the twelve government experi- 
mental stations in different parts of California. The work is new and was 
inaugurated by the government somewhat in the nature of an experiment, but 
its success has proved its value as a permanent enterprise. 

All who have formed the acquaintance of Mr. Husmann in an official 
capacity recognize his adaptability for his present position and believe in him 
as a horticulturist with a bright future in his chosen sphere. What the future 
may hold for him is of course unknown, but judging from the past it may be 
said that all honors will be worthily bestowed, all responsibilities will be faith- 
fully discharged and all horticultural advances will be developed by modern 
methods of work. In the midst of his busy life and many personal duties, Mr. 
Husmann finds leisure for participation in public affairs and has served with 
characteristic enthusiasm as a member of the Republican county central com- 
mittee of Napa county. While his work takes him to different parts of the 
state he continues to reside at Napa, where he is prominent politically, socially 
and fraternally, holding an influential place among the lodge members of the 
Masons and the Knights of Pythias. 



TIMOTHY N. MOUNT. 

It may be stated as an unquestioned fact that few men in Northern Cali- 
fornia are more familiar with land values or more conversant with the possi- 
bilities of land development than is T. N. Mount, who for many years has 
been extensively engaged in the real estate business at Napa, and meanwhile 
has had charge of the subdivision of various large properties into lots or small 
tracts. His long period of residence in Napa has familiarized him with local 
conditions, while habits of close observation have enabled him to grasp realty 
possibilities in their minutest details. Narrowness of views is prevented by 
his membership in the National Union of Real Estate Men of the United 
States and by his systematic study of conditions as they exist over the entire 
country. Aside from his interest in his home town from the standpoint of a 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 365 

realty agent, he is deeply interested in its civic, educational and moral devel- 
opment and as a loyal citizen lias contributed constantly to its material up- 
building. 

Born in Toledo. Ohio, August 12. 1846, T. \. Mount dates his residence 
in California from June 16, 1853, when he was brought hither by the Panama 
route accompanying members >>i the family, the vessel casting anchor in the 
harbor ^i San Francisco. Ever since May 7, 1857, he has made his home in 
Napa, of which city he is not only a pioneer, but also a prominent citizen. 
During boyhood he attended the old Polk Street school, where years after- 
ward ids children also received their grammar-school educations. It was also 
his privilege to attend the Napa College. For a time after leaving college he 
lived on a ranch ^\ six hundred and forty acres in Brown's valley. On his 
return to Xapa he served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade with 
A. W. Norton, and afterward secured employment as foreman and bookkeeper 
<.^i the laekson Lumber Company. Four subsequent years were devoted to 
agricultural pursuits with a specialty of the dairy business. At the first elec- 
tion after the adoption of the new constitution of California he was elected 
constable of Xapa township and for three years he filled this position. 

Identification with the real estate business began with Mr. Mount's asso- 
ciation with J. H. Boke, and the partnership continued until the death of Mr. 
Boke in 1905, since which time the firm of Mount & Son has engaged in busi- 
ness, the junior partner being John X. Mount, a progressive young man. whose 
entire life has been passed in this city. The subdivision business has engaged 
much of Mr. Mount's time and attention. As far back as 1883 he subdivided 
seven hundred acres, constituting the Coombs tract at Coombsville. three miles 
northeast of Xapa. During 1885 Coombsville Xo. 2. a tract of seven hundred 
acre-, was put on the market and later another tract was subdivided known 
Coombsville Xo. 3. Mr. Mount subdivided the Fly tract of seven hundred 
acres in 1886 and also put on the market three hundred and fifty acres, form- 
ing the Parsons tract, situated three and one-half miles west of Napa on the 
Sonoma road. The Rhodes tract was cut into town lots in 1890, and later 
the Ficthaler tract in the city limits was subdivided into lots. The present firm 
put on the market the Pellet home tract of twenty-eight acres, situated near 
St. Helena, dividing the same into small properties. Their latest subdivision 
is known as the old Estee ranch or "Hedgeside Farm." comprising five hun- 
dred and ninety-six acres, located three and one-half miles north of Napa. 
This large estate was platted into lots varying in size from ten to fifty acres. 
Avenues were laid out. in order that every lot might have access to the 
county road. 

Besides the large realty enterprises of the firm they represent a number 
of first-class insurance companies, notably the Hanover Fire Insurance Com- 
pany, the Union of London, the London Assurance, and the Prussian National 
Insurance Company. Mr. Mount having been agent for the last named for 
thirty years. During 1871 Mr. Mount was married to Miss Emma V. Jenkins, 
a native of Wisconsin. They have three children living: John N. ; Mabel S., 
wife of E. B. Deakin, of Vacaville ; and Edythe E., Mrs. G. B. Maxwell, of 
Xapa. Fraternally Mr. Mount is a member of Fidelity Lodge No. 23, K. of P., 
in which he has passed through all the chairs and for fifteen successive years 
has held the office of master of finances. He has been identified with the 
Xapa Building and Loan Association ever since its organization, being one of 
the original stockholder-. 

LEONARD J. MOWERS. 

The first thirty years of the life of Mr. Mowers are closely associated with 
his home town in Kansas He was born in Silver Lake. Shawnee county, in 
1866. and received his education in the public schools of that city. He then 



366 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

began to prepare himself for his place in life and up to the age of thirty he was 
employed in his native town and its neighborhood, forming habits of thrift and 
industry, which stood him in such good stead when he came to California. He 
came to this state in 1896, and after remaining a short time in San Francisco, 
came to Vaca valley, Solano county, and was employed at horticulture. As 
opportunity offered he made some good investments, and today he owns two 
hundred and twenty-three acres of fine land about two and a half miles north 
of Vacaville, his shipping point. His orchard of one hundred and twenty acres 
is principally in plums, peaches, pears, cherries and grapes. 

The parents of our subject, Jerome and Louisa (Johnson) Mowers, were 
born respectively in New York state and Illinois, and were pioneers of the 
Kaw valley, Kan. They now reside in Silver Lake, Kan. Mr. Mowers is 
a Democrat and for several years has held office as school trustee of Pena dis- 
trict. Fraternally he belongs to Vacaville Encampment, I. O. O. F., and he 
also belongs to the Woodmen of the World. He is well known in these orders 
as one who does all he can to promote the welfare of the members and adher- 
ents of the organizations to which he belongs. 

In 1900 Mr. Mowers married Mrs. Tina (Rutherford) Wentworth, a native 
of Kansas City, Kan., whose parents came to Vacaville and here died. The 
only child of this union, Delbert Austin, was born in 1905. By her first mar- 
riage Mrs. Mowers had two children, Mabel, Mrs. Chamberlain, of Vacaville, 
and Helena, of San Francisco. A stanch believer in the power of the Golden 
Rule to alleviate half of the ills in the world today, Mr. Mowers acts on this 
principle in the support of measures for the upbuilding of the community or 
county. 



CHARLES S. MILLER. 

A native son of the state, Charles S. Miller, was born at Two Rock, 
Sonoma county, February 26, 1858, the son of Carlyle Smith Miller, who was 
born in Erie county, Pa., February 10, 1828. When he was about five years 
old he removed to Michigan with his parents and later went to Iowa. A still 
later removal took him to Illinois, residing there until 1846, when with his 
parents he crossed the plains with ox teams and made location in Oregon. 
Coming to California in 1849 Mr. Miller followed mining for a time, coming to 
Sonoma county after this experience and making location at Sebastopol. 
After farming for a time he engaged in dealing in cattle, driving them to the 
mines. Returning to the east in 1857, he was married in Galena, 111., to Miss 
Sarah Farley, a native of County Monaghan, Ireland, born October 29, 1829. 
Coming to the United States, she settled in Illinois and taught school in 
Galena. The wedding journey of Mr. and Mrs. Miller consisted of a trip 
overland and on October 18, 1857, they arrived in Sonoma, and later they 
settled in Two Rock valley. In 1860 they removed to Marshalls, Marin 
county, where Mr. Miller was engaged in the dairy business until 1873. In 
that year, on account of better school privileges, he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of land adjoining Petaluma and there he resided until his 
death, in 1907. His wife had died in 1904. They were the parents of seven 
children, all of whom are living. 

The eldest of the children in the parental family, Charles S. Miller, was 
reared on the coast until 1873, when he went to Petaluma with his parents and 
was there educated in the public and high schools, graduating in 1881. After 
his graduation he worked on the home place until his removal to Napa county 
in 1883, when he bought a grain and hay ranch of two hundred acres on the 
Sonoma road, seven miles west of Napa. Napa county has been his home ever 
since, and in the raising of grain he has- been especially successful, besides 
which he also raises sufficient stock for his own needs. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 369 

War Petaluma, November 18, 1890, Mr. Miller was married to Miss 
Martha E. Benson, who was horn in Appanoose county, Iowa, the daughter 
of losiah Heath and Mary 1. i \ Yale) Benson. The latter crossed the plains 
with their five children by the overland trail about 1863, locating near Peta 
lntna. where Mr. Benson followed Farming until his death. Altogether seven 
children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Benson, and Mrs. Miller was the fifth in 
order ^i birth. She graduated from the Petal Uffi a high school in 1880. after 
which she attended Washington College, thereafter teaching in Sonoma county 
until her marriage. To this union two children were horn. Gladys 1>., who 
died in July 1910, at the age of thirteen, and Verna Ruth, who is the delighl 
of their home. Mr. Miller has always been a friend of education and has 
served many years as a member >n the board of school trustees of Carneros 
district. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have many friends in Napa county and vicinity. 
He is a man who is ever ready to d^ all in his power for the upbuilding of his 
home county. 



CAPT. GEORGE CECIL GARDNER. 

( me "i the well and favorably known young business men of Xapa county, 
rge C. Gardner was born in the county, in the Soscol valley, June 21, 1884. 
a son of George Frank and Dora L. (Hill) Gardner. (For a more detailed 
account ^\ the family, see the sketch of G. F. Gardner on another page of 
this work, i G. C. Gardner was educated in the public schools of Napa and 
to better equip himself for a business career he attended the Napa Business 
College. Completing his course he accepted a position with Deweese & Gard- 
ner, searchers >A records and abstractors in Xapa. In 1904 he was engaged 
as a bookkeeper for one year with F. S. Noves Lumber Co. From 1905 until 
1010 he was engaged in the retail tobacco business, meeting" with good suc- 
In 1 ( >09 he purchased the Fashion Stables and embarked in the livery 
business and for one year he was interested in both the tobacco and livery 
business, but the latter was increasing and he disposed of the former to give 
his entire time and attention to developing and building up a business second 
to none in the county. His stables are located on First, near Main street, and 
here he is ever ready to serve all who come to him. Besides the livery busi- 
ness he has the contract for carrying the United States mail, and conducts a 
sta^e line to Monticello, making daily trips. 

Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Matilda Anderlina. who was born in 
San Francisco, and a daughter. Dorothy Matilda, was born August 31. 1911. 
In fraternal affairs he is prominent and is president of the Napa Order of 
Eagles ; past grand of the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows of Napa, and 
past chief patriarch of Live Oak Encampment, and a member of Napa Canton. 
To preserve the memory of the pioneers and to promote the well-being of the 
country he holds membership in Napa Parlor, N. S. G. \Y. He has been very 
prominent in the National Guard, in which he etdisted June 13. 1901, as a 
member of Company II. Fifth Regiment Infantry; he was elected first lieu- 
tenant October 4. 1904. and March 2?. 1905. was elected captain of his com- 
pany, and had command of the company in San Francisco during the earth- 
quake and fire of 1906. In May. 1907, the company was reorganized and be- 
came Company H. Second Infantry, N. G. C. Mr. Gardner continued as 
captain until March 11. 1908. when he resigned from the service. Llowever, 
he re-enlisted as a private in May of that same year and in October was 
elected second lieutenant. After he had completed a ten years' service with 
the military of the state he resigned in July of PHI. During his connection 
with the National Guard he assisted in advancing its welfare and maintaining 
a model company. In business circle> he is well known and. having spent 

19 



370 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

his entire life in the county, has had opportunity to become interested in its 
progress. He is prominent in lodge and social matters and has been a con- 
tributor to those movements that have had for their end the betterment of 
the general condition of the county at large. He has never cared for official 
honors, but prefers to give his undivided attention to his increasing business, 
and in his treatment of his patrons he is kind and courteous. In the estimation 
of those who know him best and of the friends he counts by the score, there is 
a bright future ahead for him. With his wife he enjoys the confidence and 
esteem of all who know them. 



WILLIAM PETER ANDERSEN. 

It would be almost impossible to mention any occupation in which one 
might engage, that if conducted on fair and square lines would, not only 
redound to the well-being of those engaged therein, but also to the entire 
community in which the business is located. This statement is applicable to 
the Andersen brothers, William Peter and Jacob Christian, who as bakers in 
the town of Fairfield are supplying their patrons with the best of everything 
usually made and sold in a first-class, up-to-date bakery. 

Although both of the brothers are native sons of California, they are the 
sons of foreign born parents, Mitchell and Maren (Torp) Andersen, both 
natives of Denmark, the former born February 19, 1833. He is now deceased, 
passing away in Solano county May 28. 1902, but the wife and mother is still 
living in Fairfield, now in her seventy-sixth year. The early home of the 
parents in California was on Roberts Island, Solano county, and there it was 
that William Peter Andersen was born in April, 1865, being the first white 
child born on the island. Jacob C. was born in the same place in 1867. The 
family lived on the island until the eldest son was about four years old, when, 
in 1869, they came to the mainland and in 1872 they took up their residence 
in Suisun. With the approach of young manhood when the question of future 
usefulness and activity had to be thought of and settled, William P. Andersen 
drifted into the bakery business, and in San Francisco both himself and his 
brother learned the trade of baker. From 1888 until 1895 they followed their 
trade in that city and in the year last mentioned they opened a bakery in 
Suisun. In 1901 they built their present place on Union avenue, in Fairfield, 
where they have a business house 40x70 feet, two stories in height. 

William P. Andersen has never formed domestic ties, neither has he ever 
held public office of any kind, however he is not a recluse nor indifferent to 
the well-being of his native county and state. On the other hand, he is ever 
on the alert to do what lies in his power to advance the interests of both, which 
he deems the privilege and duty of every native son. Fraternally he is asso- 
ciated with Rincon Parlor, N. S. G. W., and with the Ancient Order of For- 
esters, while politically he is a Republican. 



LORENZ THOMSEN. 

Born under the Danish flag, at Abenrade, Sleswick-Holstein, Lorenz 
Thomsen began life November 26, 1850. He was reared on his father's farm 
and was educated in public schools. Going to Denmark in 1870, he remained 
there for three years, and in 1873 embarked for the United States. After a 
brief stay in New York he went to New Jersey, remaining for about twelve 
months, when he came to California. From San Francisco he came to Solano 
county and near Collinsville was employed on a farm for about three years. 
Subsequently he went to Contra Costa county and still later to Napa county, 
remaining in the latter from 1877 to 1893. During that time he engaged in 






HISTORY OF SOLANO U*D NAPA COUNTIES 371 

various lines of business, for eleven years being engaged in the livery busi- 
ness. Mr. Thomsen had purchased properly in Napa county, but an excellent 
opportunity offering, he traded this For land in Vaca valley. Solano count). 
To this he subsequently added fifty acres, and today his holdings consist of 
one hundred and four acres of good land, of which seventy five are in fruit. 
This is of such nature that it is profitable for either home use or can be shipped 
to eastern markets. As an indication o\ the untiring industry of this man we 
note that he only had thirty-five acres of fruit trees planted when he hecame 
the possessor of his present property. Since that time he has added to the 
value of his land in every way and today is one of the most successful horti- 
culturists oi Vacaville. From a young man without means excepting his 
hands and stout heart he has risen to an enviable position in his neighborhood 
and has demonstrated that perseverance and hard work bring their own re- 
ward. The Twin Teaks ranch nestles in the English hills four and a half 
miles north of Vacaville, and is one of the valuable orchards of the valley. 
The fruits to which it is set embrace plums, pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, 
figs and grapes. A- a student of horticulture Mr. Thomsen has become thor- 
oughly posted in the raising of fruits, and is also informed regarding soil 
values. The ranch is equipped with suitable buildings, and modern con 
veniences for the handling and marketing of fruit. In 1901 he took up his 
residence in Vacaville and from here he superintends his ranch. 

In 1885 Mr. Thomsen married Miss Ella Errington, who was born near 
Prescott, Dundas "county, Canada, the daughter of John and Harriet E. (Ser- 

I Errington, oi English and German descent, respectively. Mrs. Thomsen 
came to California in 1869. traveling on one of the first trains to cross the 
continent, (ler mother died in 1894. and her father two years later. Mrs. 
Thomsen holds membership in the Presbyterian Church and in Rebekah 
Lodge No. 80, of Vacaville. They have one child, Harry Lorenzo, who was 
born in Napa City September 25. 1887. and educated in the Vacaville grammar 
and high schools. He makes his home with his parents and has charge of 
the ranch. He has the distinction of being the youngest member of Vacaville 
Lodge No. 83. I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican, and in religion he is 
a Lutheran. 



CHRISTOPHER SCHAFFER. 

As indicated by the name, Mr. Schaffer comes from Teutonic ancestry, 
belonging to that sturdy stock of German heritage early planted in the eastern 
colonies and long identified with the national upbuilding. The substantial 
characteristics of the family find evidence in his own modest but noteworthy 
success, achieved in spite of lack of educational advantages and notwithstand- 
ing the loss of his father by death when he was a child of only four years. 
With untiring self-sacrifice the mother kept the little family together until 
each was able, in turn, to start out to earn a livelihood in the world and now, 
at the age of eighty-six years, she is enjoying in her Pennsylvania home the 
comforts justly won by long and arduous toil. In her family there were six 
children, namely: John; Christopher; Charles, who married Ida Scott and 
had a family of four children; Lucy, Mrs. John Pensinger, the mother of seven 
children; Kate. Mrs. Martin Murray, who has four children; and Elizabeth, 
Mrs. John Porter, who is the mother of three sons. 

At the age of less than eighteen years Christopher Schaffer left the home 
where he was born in March of 1859 and where his early days had passed un- 
eventfully. Crossing the continent by train he settled in Marin county, se- 
cured employment and remained there for a considerable period. While living 
in that county he married Mi^s Ella Dillon, daughter of George and Matilda 
("Walters I Dillon. }\er father came to America from Scotland in young man- 



372 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

hood and made a brief sojourn in Massachusetts, whence in the early 50's he 
crossed the plains to California. In the same expedition was the young lady, 
a native of Massachusetts, who became his wife. For years they lived in 
Marin county. Their family consisted of the following children : William, 
who married and had one child ; John ; George, who chose as his wife Miss 
Marv Irvin, and became the father of one child ; Jerome ; Joseph, deceased ; 
Fannie, Mrs. Charles Reed, the mother of four children ; Catherine, Mrs. Joseph 
Keiser, who has two children ; Anna, Mrs. Edward Gallagher, who has four 
children ; and Ella, Mrs. Christopher Schaffer, the mother of two sons, Charles 
and George. The elder son, Charles Schaffer, now living at Oxnard, this state, 
married Amelia Micher, and has a son, William C. The younger son. George, 
married Miss L. Harris, and lives in Rutherford. 

Removing from Marin county to Bird's Landing, Solano county, Mr. 
Schaffer engaged in butchering for fourteen years and meanwhile built up an 
important meat business, notwithstanding the limited population of the local- 
ity. When he came to the Napa valley in 1903 he bought fifty-three acres, 
on which there was a vineyard of sixteen acres, with an average production 
of forty-five tons of grapes. Twenty acres of the farm are in alfalfa, forming 
a very valuable crop. The balance is in grain. About eighteen head of 
horses and cattle are kept on the place and at this writing there are also twenty 
head of hogs, it being the owner's custom to add to his annual income by the 
regular fattening of a few head of swine. In Napa county he is well known 
and highly esteemed by the business men. His interest in local progress has 
been steady and unwavering, but he takes no part in politics aside from casting 
a Republican ballot at the general elections. 



WILLIAM W. JOHNSON. 

One of the contented and satisfied citizens of Vacaville is William W. 
Johnson, who since 1905 has efficiently held the position of foreman of the 
F. B. Chandler Lumber Company's planing mill. His earliest recollections 
are of a home in Wisconsin, for he is a native of that state, his birth occurring 
in LaCrosse January 1. 1860. His father, Alfred Johnson, was a native of Il- 
linois, where he carried on farming, as he did also in the vicinity of LaCrosse, 
Wis., and in Nashua, Iowa, where his last clays were passed. In LaCrosse, 
Wis., he married Gertrude Kennedy, a native of that city, and there their two 
children were born, only one of whom is now living, and there also her earth 
life came to a close. 

William W. Johnson was a young boy when the family home was trans- 
ferred from his birthplace in Wisconsin to Nashua, Iowa, and there he was 
privileged to attend the public schools. His early training as a farmer's son 
had made him familiar with the life of the agriculturist, and as it did not appeal 
to him especially, he determined to learn a trade. Choice was made of the 
carpenter's trade and at the age of eighteen he began an apprenticeship in 
Austin, Minn, that lasted four years. It was from there in 1885 that he came 
to California equipped with a working knowledge of his trade, and in Benicia, 
where he first located, he found no difficulty in finding work in his line, and 
ultimately became foreman of the planing mill at that place. As an evidence 
of mutual satisfaction to employed and employer, it may be said that he 
continued in this position for twenty years, or until 1905, in which year he 
came to Vacaville and entered upon his present duties, as foreman of the 
F. B. Chandler Lumber Company's planing mill. Here as in his former posi- 
tion, his services are appreciated by his superiors, a just tribute to his con- 
scientious labors. 

In Dixon, Cal., Mr. Johnson was married in 1889 to Miss Frances Blair, a 
native of that city and the daughter of James Blair, who came to California 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\'l> NAPA COUNTIES 375 

around the Horn and settled as a pioneer in Solano county. Seven children 
have been born of the faarriage of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, as follows: Ger- 
trude, Viola, Mildred, William, Agnes, Alfred and Harold. Besides giving his 

children such advantages as have been within his moans, he has also accumu- 
lated some property, the most of which is in Benicia. He is identified with a 

number of fraternal organizations, his name being in the list of members ot the 
local orders ^i the Independent Order >>i Foresters, Druids and Independent 
( >r.br of Red Men. 



PERRY ANDERSON. 

Xear Odense. on the Island <<i 1'yen. "The Garden ^i Denmark," Perry 
Anderson was born on November 22, 1856. Besides acquiring knowledge in 
the schools iii his native country, he also became familiar with farming as 
conducted there, and it was this knowledge that was his chief asset wdien, at 
the age ^i seventeen, he came to the United States with his brother Peter. 
He came to Rio Vista. Cal., in 1874, ami for a time was employed on farms, 
during this time becoming familiar with agriculture as conducted in the west. 
Later he put this experience to use on land which he rented. In 1899 he 
bought seven hundred acres of land, to which four years later he added by 
the purchase <*i three hundred and thirty acres adjoining, owning in all over 
one thousand acres. Besides this he rents eleven hundred acres, which makes 
a total of twenty-one hundred acres under his cultivation. The ranch is 
located one mile from Rio Vista and is improved with a large, modern resi- 
dence, several barns, toolshed, garage and blacksmith shop. On the property 
which he owns he makes a specialty of grain raising, wheat being his spe- 
cialty, and on the remainder of the land he makes a specialty of raising sheep, 
horses, cattle and mules for the market. To operate his ranch requires about 
fifty head of horses and mules, although he has many more. He harvests his 
crops with a combined harvester. 

In 1883 Mr. Anderson married in Rio Vista Miss Anna Smith, a native of 
Sleswig. Denmark, and whose parents came to the United States, passing 
their last days in Rio Vista. Cal. Thirteen children w^ere born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Anderson, but of the number two are deceased. Those living are as 
follows: Tillie. Flsie. Martha. Eva. Jesse. Esther. Henry, Albert, Annita. 
Walter and Gordon. All are natives of California and all have been educated 
in the schools of Rio Vista. Tillie attended high school at Berkeley; Elsie 
attended the high school in San Francisco: Jesse supplemented his school 
training by attending business college in Sacramento; Martha was educated 
in St. Gertrude's Academy at Rio Vista ; Eva received her training at Mills' 
College. Oakland: Esther is also attending St. Gertrude's Academy ; Henry 
and Albert received high school educations. Tillie is now the wife of Clay 
Barnes and reside- in Collinsville : and Elsie is the wife of Tom McCormack 
and reside- in San Francisco. 

Fraternally Mr. Anderson is a member of Yallejo Lodge Xo. 559, B. P. 
O. E.. and also of Rio Vista Lodge No. 165. Knights of Pythias. Politically 
he is a Republican. Both himself and wife are adherents of the Lutheran faith. 
They are both very much interested in the building up of the community 
educationally and socially, and are always ready to give of their time and 
means to the support of all public enterprises. 



DANIEL II. FOREE. 

The descendant of Huguenot ancestry. Daniel H. Foree was born in 
Solano county in 1860. His father. Thomas Lynn Force, was born in Shelby 
county, Ky.. in 1832, and at the age of eighteen years he set out, with a com 



376 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

pany, across the plains. The trip occupied six months and was fraught with 
many dangers and much hardship. On arriving in California Mr. Foree set- 
tled in Benicia for a while. In 1858 he was married to our subject's mother, 
a native of Mississippi, who was born in 1839, and came to California in 1853. 
Thus the immediate ancestors of Daniel H. Foree were actively identified with 
the upbuilding of this country in the early days. The father and mother of 
Mr. Foree are both dead, the former passing away in 1902 and the latter in 
1904. 

Daniel H. Foree was a student in the public schools of his district until 
he was twenty-one years old, when he went on the ranch of his father and 
assisted in the many duties pertaining thereto. Being naturally adapted to 
the vocation of teacher he decided to follow this profession and at the age of 
twenty-two he commenced doing the work that has occupied his attention 
during the major portion of his life. He remained in his native county until 
1895, then accepted a position in San Luis Obispo county, and was engaged 
in teaching in this county at the time of his resignation in 1905. In that year 
he returned to Solano county and has since resided here. 

In 1898 Mr. Foree was married to Miss Flora E. Stewart, a native of Cal- 
ifornia, born in San Luis Obispo county, and to this union four children were 
born: Helen Bernice, born in 1901; Thomas Lynn, born in 1903; Stanley 
Stewart, born in 1905, and Amelia Dorothy, born in 1906. Mrs. Foree's 
parents are both living in San Luis Obispo county. In 1905 Mr. Foree bought 
two hundred and ten acres of land, located about two miles southeast of Vaca- 
ville, where he cultivates all kinds of fruits and raises different varieties of 
grain. He also raises stock for the market. Although not a member of any 
order, he is well known to all because of his kindly attitude toward all social 
problems and his willingness to assist in the betterment of his fellows. Mr. 
and Mrs. Foree enjoy the fellowship of many friends who wish them well. 



james j. Mcdonald. 

The highest intellectual, moral and material excellence of which Vallejo 
may boast is happily reflected in the life of one of her most honored and 
popular citizens, James J. McDonald. Versatility and absolute thoroughness 
in whatever he undertakes may in a word depict the character of the man, 
and are without doubt the basic reasons for his wonderful success both in 
public and private undertakings. By common consent he is credited with 
being one of the best coroners in the history of Solano county, and his livery 
stable and undertaking parlors at No. 216 Virginia street have no superior 
in point of equipment and service rendered in Vallejo. Residents of the town 
in 1894 call to mind his modest undertaking as a liveryman at what was 
known as the old Brownlie stand on lower Virginia street, and also recall his 
steady advance in business, until in 1898 he was compelled to seek larger 
quarters. It was then that he purchased the old Callender stable at No. 216 
Virginia street, the same location which he occupies today. In the meantime, 
however, he has entirely revolutionized the old quarters by the erection of a 
two-story building 50x130 feet, which is occupied by the livery, and in 1911 
he completed the new Mission style residence and undertaking parlors at No. 
228 Virginia street. 

Mr. McDonald's earliest recollections are of a home in the Emerald Isle, 
his birth occurring in Queens county, Ireland, May 27, 1858, on the farm of 
his parents, Joseph and Catherine (Toole) McDonald. When he was eighteen 
years old he immigrated to the United States, landing in New York in May, 
1877. He then came to Solano county, Cal., and after working as a farm hand 
for a time he went to eastern Oregon and purchased a ranch which he culti- 
vated for eight years and which he still owns. Giving up the personal man- 



II1STORN OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 377 

agement of the ranch in L894, Mr. McDonald returned to Vallejo the same 
year and established himself in the livery business on a modesl scale as pre 

viously described. In 1S 1| S he was honored by election to the office of county 
coroner, and SO satisfactory were his services in this capacity that he was made 
his own successor in the year 1902. Other honors came to him in 1906 when 
he was elected to the office of sheriff of Solano county, and his re-election at 
the close of his first term, in 1910, speaks more forcibly than can words of 
the regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens. During his first term, 
in 190/, the new jail at Fairfield was erected: this institution is held to be 
one of the best in California, being modern and sanitary and equipped with 
all *•>( the latest inventions and conveniences possible of application in an insti- 
tution of this character. 

In 1889 Mr. McDonald was married to Adelia Devlin, a native of Solano 
county, and the daughter of John Devlin. Four children have been born of 
this marriage: Aloysius J., Francis I., Justine E. and Cyril J. Politically Mr. 
McDonald is a supporter oi Democratic principles and fraternally he is a 
member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen 
of the World, the Foresters of America, and the Independent Order of For- 
esters. Personally Mr. McDonald is a man of pleasing characteristics, courte- 
ous, kindly and sympathetic, qualities which have won for him a host of 
friends as well as a successful business patronage. 



HEXRY H. HARRIS. 

Xapa county numbers among her most conspicuous citizens many men 
who cast their lot with the pioneer interests of the community. Among this 
class none have been more actively identified with the development of the 
resources of the county than Henry H. Harris, who is now located on his ranch 
of one thousand acres, one and a half miles east of Rutherford. In addition 
to its cultivation and improvement he superintends his other ranch, formerly 
owned by Harvey Porterfield, comprising three hundred and eighty-six acres, 
on the Sonoma road, five miles from Xapa, his principal interest there being 
a dairy supplied by forty-five cows. 

Henry H. Harris was born near Memphis, Scotland county, Mo., April 
24. 1838. a son of Presley F. Harris, the latter a native of Kentucky, where 
he was reared on a farm. In 1833 he removed to Missouri, taking his family 
with him. he having married Mary J. Mize in Kentucky. In addition to 
farming he was employed as a carpenter in Missouri, where he remained until 
April 1. 1853. when he joined the tide of emigration, setting toward the 
west. They traveled by ox-teams in a train composed of fifteen wagons, 
reaching Xapa valley September 24, 1853. Mr. Harris then purchased a land 
grant located near Yountville, remaining, however, but a short time, when 
he removed to Oregon. After three years' residence there he returned to 
Napa county, and later removed to Contra Costa county, where, at the age 
of sixty-five years, he died in 1872. 

With the exception of two years spent in Oregon in mining, Henry H. 
Harris has been a resident of Xapa county since coming west with his father 
in 1853 at the age of fifteen years. He has followed the example of his father 
since becoming independent, devoting his time to the cultivation of fruit and 
the various interests of a ranch. He purchased his present property in the 
fall of 1870. and the home place now consists of one thousand acres of hill 
and tillable land. This is said to be the finest prune land in the valley and 
Mr. Harris attests to this statement. He has fifty acres in prunes, and a 
portion of this commenced to produce fruit to the extent of six tons to the 
acre when the trees were only five years old. The same orchard has produced 
as high as eleven tons to the acre. In 1003 Mr. Harris disposed of $3000 



378 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

worth of prunes and in 1911 the prune crop sold for $11,000. For the product 
of his vineyard, which comprises forty acres, he built a stone cellar 60x104 
feet, three stories high, with a capacity of two hundred thousand gallons. 
.The driveway to his home is lined with black walnut trees which he planted 
in 1875. He has met with gratifying success in his efforts and has accumu- 
lated a valuable property and one that adds to the general value of land 
throughout the community. 

The marriage of Mr. Harris united him with Lurinda Stice, also a native 
of Scotland county, Mo., and to them was born one daughter, Minnie M., 
They have also taken into their family and reared three orphan boys, giving 
freely of their time and means to those less fortunate than their own child. 
In his political convictions Mr. Harris is a Democrat, and as an active and 
wide-awake citizen, interested in the welfare of the entire community, he has 
been selected at various times to occupy public office. In 1884 he was elected 
sheriff of Napa county on the Democratic ticket, in a Republican county of 
seven hundred nominal majority. His popularity was attested by his re- 
election in 1886. He has also acted as supervisor for six years, from 1878 
to 1884, serving as chairman of the board for two years. He was made a 
Mason in St. Helena Lodge No. 67, F. & A. M. In 1894 he was appointed 
by Governor James H. Budd a member of the board of managers of the Napa 
State Hospital and on the organization of the board was elected chairman, 
serving the entire term of four years in that capacity, and being interested in 
the upbuilding of the hospital, until today it is one of the leading institutions 
of the kind in the United States. He has always been greatly interested in 
the building up of Napa county and has ever been ready to give of his time 
and means to aid others and to forward those measures that have for their 
trend the advancement, betterment and moral uplift of the community. 



ABRAHAM CLARK. 

Contrary to the old adage, "A rolling stone gathers no. moss," Abraham 
Clark, born in Buckinghamshire, England, with indomitable will power and 
a determination to succeed, mastered one situation after another that would 
have spelled failure to many. He was the son of Abraham and Henrietta 
(Falkner) Clark, born in June, 1820. Believing that there were more oppor- 
tunities for success in America than England, they set sail for this country, 
landing in Oneida county, N. Y., where they remained for one and one-half 
years, and then went to Frankfort, Herkimer county, where they remained 
till 1835, then emigrating to Huron county, Ohio. From 1836 to 1842, they 
lived in Crawford county, then returned to Huron county, where they re- 
mained for four years. For six years thereafter they farmed in Wyandotte 
county, then moving to Spring Grove, Green county. Wis., and a year later 
going to Chickasaw county, Iowa, where Abraham Clark had the distinction 
of being the first man to turn the sod in that county. He remained there for 
ten years, and then with his family came across the plains, a five-month 
journey finally bringing them to Napa county, Cal. Mr. Clark's sole capital 
was S2.50, and he mortgaged his team for wheat, feed and seed, and rented 
the farm that is now owned by Fly brothers. One year later he rented the 
Davis place in Sonoma county, and here had the misfortune to lose every- 
thing he had made the previous year. Undaunted by his failure, however, and 
$1000 in debt, he still struggled on. In 1866 he located in Berryessa valley, 
remaining there four years, when he rented a thousand acres in Colusa county 
and carried on agriculture successfully for two years. With the means he had 
been able to accumulate he returned to Berryessa and purchased a homestead 
of seven hundred and twenty acres, to which he added from time to time until 




>B| ^N 








HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 381 

he bad thirteen thousand acres in the valley, in 1880-81 he built a palatial 
residence, in which he passed his remaining years, dying March () . 1891. I lis 
w ife died in l l '0°. 

Mr. Clark was married, November 5, 1845, to Electa Jane Snider, who 
was born in Cayuga county, N. Y.. January 28, 1820, the daughter of Jacob 
and Lena (Daugherty) Snider. Six children were born to them: Alonzo 
Curtis, born in Wyandotte county, Ohio. February 15, 1848, was married in 
May. 1877, to May Y. Stafford; Norman, born February 27, 1854, lives in 
Napa: Reuben was horn in Chickasaw county, [owa, December 16, 1855; 
Amanda J., born in Chickasaw county, [owa, June 29, 1858, is the widow of 
lohn Anderson. >.A Napa valley; Henrietta, also born in Chickasaw county. 
November 4. 1860, is the wife of J. \Y. Hani-, of Napa; and Alice, horn in 
Berryessa valley, May 17. 1867, became Mrs. G. McKnizea, and died in Rer- 
rvessa. leaving three children. 

Vbraham Clark was gifted with a remarkable memory and his stories of 
pioneer days were replete with vivid touches of pathos and human interest. 
Through the many years o\ struggle and privation, encouraged by the counsel 
and sympathy of his courageous wife, he strove dauntlessly on till he reached 
his goal. His ranch i^i thirteen thousand acres of productive land, under the 
management of his sons, bespeaks the thrift and character of their parents. 
He was a Democrat of the old school. Napa county may well be proud of 
this tine example of good citizenship and the sterling qualities that led to his 
great achievements have won the respect and admiration of the entire com- 
munity who now mourn his loss. 



JOHN HOLLENBECK. 

The experiences of John Hollenbeck are not limited to the narrow confines 
Solano county: indeed, memory carries him back to other days and other 
states. He was born in Xew York, August 2. 1834, and at the age of ten 
years moved with his parents to near Geneva Lake, Walworth county, Wis. 
That was the home of the family for ten years, during which time the son 
received his education in the public schools, and also became familiar with 
farming as conducted in that section of country. With the knowledge and 
experience obtained up to this time he set out for the west in 1854. when he 
was twenty years of age. The journey by ox-train from Wisconsin to Cali- 
fornia consumed six months and was not devoid of troublesome experiences, 
for the Indians attacked them and one of the party was killed at their hands. 
A halt was made at Council Bluffs, then only a small trading post, and from 
there to Salt Lake City occupied almost three months. At the latter place 
the party ran out of provisions and had to subsist on boiled wheat three times 
a day until they arrived in California. On reaching his destination Mr. 
Hollenbeck worked out as a farm hand at Courtland. In 1864 he was enabled 
to mike his first purchase of land, ami today he owns more than three hundred 
acres of rich land "ii Ryer Island. His firsl crop was a yield of onions from 
two acre- that netted him S2.000 in 1864. and to this start he gives credil for 
his splendid success. He still raises onions, besides beans, potatoes, alfalfa. 
grain and hay. There is also a fine section of the ranch reserved as range for 
the horse- and cattle which the owner raises. 

Mr. Hollenbeck'- first marriage occurred in 1864 and united him with 
Miss Mary Mehan. a native of Ireland. Of the seven children born of thi- 
marriage, five are living, a- follow-: James, part owner and captain of the 
dredger Grand Island; Mary Elizabeth, Mr-. Hampton, of Ryer island; John. 
engineer on the dredger Grand Island: and George I. and Daniel I*'., both 
farmer- on the island. September 17. 1878, the mother of these children died, 
and in 1880 Mr. Hollenbeck married Mi-- Mary Bird, a native of Boston, 



382 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Mass., and the four children born of this marriage are Lizzie K., Mrs. Kelley, 
of Ryer Island ; Gertrude, Albert H. and Ethel, the three last mentioned still 
at home. 

Mr. Hollenbeck was one of the prime movers in organizing Ryer Island 
as a reclamation district. The whole island is now enclosed by a dike and 
about twelve thousand acres are approximately sixteen feet high, assuring 
almost perfect safety from floods, as it is now several feet higher than any 
flood. Politically Mr. Hollenbeck is a Republican. For the past thirty years 
he has held the position of clerk of the school board of Ryer district, his long 
retention in office proving his efficiency as a business man and his general 
attitude toward things educational. 

Mr. Hollenbeck has all those characteristics of his parents, who were 
natives of New York, that have made their memory revered in the home town. 
Kind and generous, every good cause finds him ready to help, and every 
opponent finds in him a man "worthy of his steel." He has not only won, but 
has also retained the esteem of his fellow-townsmen, because of his integrity 
of purpose and great desire to better conditions of his locality. 



JOHN J. DOWNEY. 

Born in Ireland, at the age of twenty-eight Patrick Downey left his na- 
tive land and came to the United States. He remained in New York for 
several years, and then becoming interested in mining, he spent five years 
in Idaho. In 1868 he came to San Francisco and engaged in general con- 
tracting for a while and then came to Yountville, Napa county, in 1871. 
Here he remained until he died, July 28, 1910. He farmed one hundred and 
seventy acres of land, of which only about seventy acres could be placed 
under cultivation, and of this fifteen acres were devoted to vineyard and the 
balance to pasture and hay. Patrick Downey married Ellen O'Sullivan, and 
the following children were born to them : Katherine ; Patrick S., of Oakland ; 
John J., of this review ; James C. ; Timothy D., and Agnes M. 

John J. Downey was born in Yountville in 1878, and was educated in 
the public schools of his district. Early in life he developed a liking for the 
cultivation of the soil and farmed with fair success on rented land, but for 
the past ten years he has been foreman of the Chase ranch, which was form- 
erly the old Grigsby place, near Yountville. The farm contains four hundred 
and twenty-five acres, of which eighty acres are in vineyard and six acres in 
orchard. The balance is used for hay, grain and pasture land. The appear- 
ance of the place speaks volumes for the able manner in which Mr. Downey 
manages it, and his employer speaks in high terms of regard concerning the 
way his property is managed. Fraternally Mr. Downey is a member of the 
Napa Parlor. Native Sons of the Golden West, and is well liked by all. 



GEORGE WESLEY MAY. 

A native of Missouri, George W. May was born in Harrison county, 
October 3, 1851, a son of George and Mary (Connolly) May. The father was 
born in east Tennessee, later settled in Harrison county, Mo., and in 1852 
emigrated to Green county, Iowa, being the first settler in that section. He 
died in 1870. The mother was born in Kentucky and died in Iowa. There 
were three sons and four daughters in their family, of whom two sons and 
two daughters are living. 

George W. May was next to the youngest and was reared in Iowa, attend- 
ing the district schools until he was fourteen, when his father moved to 
Jefferson, the county seat, and he finished in the grammar school in that city. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 383 

I lis father died when the son was eighteen and he had to set out to seek his 
own living. In 1872 he engaged in the express business, but two years later 
disposed of that, and in 1874 located in Napa county, which has been his 
residence ever since, with the exception of four years that he spent in ranching 
on the plains near Sacramento, after which he returned to Napa and engaged 
in the wood business. He formerly owned a ranch of one hundred and twenty- 
seven acres, from which he cut all the wood and then sold that and purchased 
fifty acres in Coombsville, from which he also cut the timber, set out a vine 
yard and then disposed ^i that. The next purchase was one hundred and 
sixty acres in Capell valley, which he improved and sold the following year, 
and also owned two and one-half acres near the State Hospital for the Insane, 
improving this with the same care that had made the other properties valu- 
able. Since 1899 he ha- been a resident of Napa City, where he has a comfort- 
able place at No. 1111 Second street, and is also engaged in the wood business, 
being about the oldest dealer in that line in the city. Mr. May has been deal- 
ing to some extent in real estate, and has owned several other parcels of prop- 
erty besides those mentioned. 

Mr. May was married in Napa to Miss Louisa Stark, who was born in 
Iowa. They have three children living: Boyd, in Petaluma ; Jennie, at home; 
and John 11.. a contractor. In politics Mr. May is a Republican. In his many 
years of residence in this section of the country it has been his pleasure to 
see the country grow and develop and in all these things he has done his part 
as a public-spirited citizen. 



JOHN HENDERSON MAY. 

At Napa Soda Springs, Cal.. John H. May was born June 17, 1881, the son 
of George Wesley May (whose sketch appears above). The only son and 
youngest child of the family, he received his education in the public 
schools of Napa county and was reared on a farm, following this occupation 
until 1904, when he came to Napa and began working at the cement business 
under C. H. Gildersleeve. Three years later he entered the employ of the 
United States government at Mare Island navy yard, and for one year he was 
engaged in laying tiling and stone, and as a cement worker. In April, 1909, 
he returned to Napa and began taking contracts for himself, doing cement 
and concrete work of all kinds in Napa and vicinity. He has a well-equipped 
yard where he is engaged in the manufacture of water-troughs, tiling, drains, 
culverts and pipe. Among the buildings on which he has contracted for the 
cement and concrete work are the following: Stoll flats, creamery, cement 
building on the Spreckels ranch, and on the Shurtlefr ranch, reinforced concrete 
building for Armstrong, of Calistoga, many miles of cement sidewalks in 
Napa. Calistoga and Vacaville, besides many of the foundations for the State 
Hospital, and universally engaged in building reinforced concrete chimneys. 
Aside from this he is engaged in heavy teaming and excavating and building 
sewers, employing from six to twenty-four men. 

Mr. May was married in Sacramento November 8. 1905, to Miss Rosalie 
M. Greenlee, a native of the vicinity of Calistoga, Napa county. Her father, 
Milton Greenlee, was born in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1857. the year of the 
Mountain Meadow massacre, came overland with ox-teams to California. For 
a time he was engaged in mining in Calaveras county, after which he engaged 
in ranching in Sonoma county. Later he located near Calistoga and in that 
locality he improved several places and was engaged in the stock business 
until his death in 1877. Her mother. Elizabeth Greenlee, was born in Jefferson 
county. Mo., and was a woman of great force of character. She died in 1901. 
Mrs. May is the youngest of seven children and was educated in the Silverado 



384 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

school. She is indeed a helpmate to her husband and has contributed no small 
amount to his success. 

Mr. May is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, Encampment and 
Canton, and is interested in the welfare of the order. He has directed his 
attention to building up his business and has made a success thereby. In 
movements for the betterment of the community he has ever been ready to 
aid those that he deems of interest to the greatest number, and with his wife 
shares the friendship of a host of friends and well-wishers throughout Napa 
county. 



DAVID ANDERSON DUNLAP. 

A strong, forceful character, typifying all that is substantial in mental at- 
tributes, and all that is sterling in fearless honesty, marks the sturdy person- 
ality of David A. Dunlap and has qualified him admirably for efficient dis- 
charge of duties connected with the office of sheriff. Recognizing his genuine 
adaptability for official responsibilities, the people have chosen him to fill the 
sheriff's post both in Nevada, where formerly he made his home, and in 
California, where since 1885 he has resided permanently. It was during the 
year 1875 that he first came to the Pacific coast country, removing hither 
from Missouri, where he was born in Steelville, Crawford county, March 16, 
1854. His parents were Samuel F. and Amanda (Anderson) Dunlap, the 
former a native of Lafayette, Ky., and the latter a native of Crawford county, 
Mo. In his native town the son received such advantages as the common 
schools of the period and place afforded. From early recollections he mani- 
fested deep interest in tales of the west, and as soon as he had attained his 
majority, being free to choose the scene of his future activities, he came to 
the Golden state, settling in Humboldt county, where he secured employment 
and remained a few years. While living there he formed the acquaintance of 
Miss Sarah E. Strong, a native of Humboldt county and member of one of 
California's pioneer families. The young couple were united in marriage in 
1880 and for six years afterward made their home in Nevada, where he served 
for one term as sheriff of Lander county and for four years acted as chief 
deputy in the sheriff's office, also as deputy county assessor. 

Returning to California in 1885, Mr. Dunlap spent nearly two years farm- 
ing in Humboldt county, and in November, 1886, he settled at Napa and for 
a considerable period acted as proprietor of the Napa hotel, but for some years 
he made his home at No. 219 Seminary street. The family of himself and 
wife comprises two sons, Harry C. and Edgar S., who are operating the home 
ranch. Some time after his settlement in Napa county, Mr. Dunlap bought 
sixty acres of land nine miles north of Napa and near the hamlet of Yountville. 
Later he added to the original purchase until now he owns one hundred and 
eighty acres. The development of the property represented years of intense 
effort and unwearied industry. However, the task brought its own ultimate 
reward in the profit-producing products sent out from the ranch. Years ago 
he began to plant fruit trees and to start a vineyard. Eventually he had 
twenty-five acres in bearing grapes and fifty acres in prunes of the very best 
quality, but even this large acreage does not represent the limit of the owner's 
activities, for recently he planted seventy-two acres in prunes and pears. In 
addition he has a family orchard of all kinds of fruits. The ranch is one of the 
best fruit-growing properties in the entire region and the fine quality of the 
fruit enables the owner to sell at the highest market prices. 

After his settlement in Napa county Mr. Dunlap soon became interested in 
politics as a local leader in the Democratic party. Reared in the Democratic 
faith in old Missouri, he has never swerved from a steadfast allegiance to 
party principles and always he has been influential in political affairs. His 




JOHN Q. GEEENWOOD 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 387 

popularity is evidenced by the fact that in 1894 he was nominated for sheriff 

oi Xapa county on the Democratic ticket and was beaten by only one vote. 
In 1898 lie was again candidate for sheriff and was elected to the office, in a 
county that usually gives a large Republican majority. Twice he was re- 
elected and served for twelve years altogether, being as efficient and popular 
an officer as ever tilled the post. Fearless in his discharge of the law. he 
endeavored to secure justice for all and succeeded in maintaining order among 
the class ofttimes troublesome or little inclined to be law-abiding. In 1910, 
in spite oi the solicitations oi members ^i both parties, he declined to further 
participate in office-holding, and at the end of his term, in January, 1911, 
returned to his ranch. 

The fraternal orders to some extent have won the allegiance of Mr. Dun- 
la]). Those with which he has identified himself are the stronger for his per- 
sonal labors and generous, helpful spirit. In the Yount Lodge Xo. 12, F. & 
A. M.. he is a past master and member i^i Xapa Chapter Xo. 3. R. A. 3VL, and 
in Napa Commandery Xo. 34. K. T.. he is a past commander, his work in 
Masonry being well adapted to promote the local progress of the order and 
enlarge its membership. Since the organization of the Napa Lodge of Eagles 
he has officiated as treasurer and has given considerable time to the develop- 
ment of this popular society. In addition he is the treasurer of the local camp 
of Improved Order of Red Men. During the years 1908-09 he served as presi- 
dent of the Napa Chamber of Commerce, and under his personal direction, and 
almost solely by his effective leadership, the money was raised with which to 
pay off the debt on the Chamber of Commerce building, a modern structure, 
following the lines of mission architecture and containing every appointment 
suggestive of twentieth-century civilization. The building, devoted exclu- 
sively to the organization, is an honor to the city and is entirely free from 
indebtedness. 



JOHN Q. GREENWOOD. 

Living retired on his ranch on Vallejo road, Napa county, is John Q. 
Greenwood, born near Calais, Washington county, Me., in October, 1830. 
Living within sound of the Atlantic ocean, he learned to love the sea and for 
a time he followed sailing on the coast of his native state. When he was 
only nine years old he made a trip to the Barbadoes with his father, Capt. 
George D. Greenwood, as sailing master. When he was nineteen years old 
he set out on a trip around the Horn on the ship Saratoga, the voyage ending 
in San Francisco. August 11, 1849. The inactivity of shore life did not appeal 
to him. so he began building a schooner for himself, and when his task was 
completed he named it in honor of his wife, Sena Greenwood. For several 
years he engaged in coast trade and in running up the river to Sacramento 
and Stockton. In 1860, feeling the need of something to do that would be 
more permanent in its results, he bought five hundred acres of land in Napa 
valley. So^col district, and for many years raised large crops of grain, and he 
has also rented his ranch. At the present time he is looking after his property 
and is not engaged in farming of any kind, living retired and enjoving the 
rest and quiet that long years of toil have made possible. 

Early in life Mr. Greenwood married Lucina Larrabee, a native of Mis- 
souri, who is now deceased. Many large trees adorn the property owned by 
Mr. Greenwood, and these, except the native oaks, were planted by him many 
years ago and stand as sentinels to the past. He has always taken an active 
interest in the affairs of Xapa county, and has been no small factor in its 
development and progress. 



388 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

HON. GEORGE HUSMANN. 

Of Teutonic ancestry, George Husmann v/as born November 4, 1827. in 
Meyenberg, near Bremen, Germany, of parents that Avere highly honored and 
much respected. The father of Mr. Husmann held important civic positions, 
was a justice of the peace and instructor for over twenty years, and under his 
able direction and training George Husmann received instruction for only six 
months prior to the emigration of the family to the United States, the boy 
being only eight years of age at that time. This schooling and some private 
lessons given him by his brother, Frederick, who was eight years his senior, 
was all the instruction he received outside of self-education. He venerated 
his brother in grateful admiration and his portrait, an old family oil painting, 
always held the place of honor in his study. At the time of the discovery of 
gold in California, the ambition of Mr. Husmann carried him across the plains 
and for a few months he was located in the "golden west." On receiving word 
from his favorite sister, Josephine, that her husband had died, he returned to 
the east via Panama to take charge of the estate, and in 1851 he settled in 
Hermann, Gasconade county, Mo., and there he commenced his horticultural 
career, establishing one of the oldest concerns in that state for the manufacture 
of wine by home-grown products. 

The firm of Husmann & Manwaring was organized in 1858 and remained 
an aggressive participant in commercial circles until the demise of Mr. Man- 
waring, after which Mr. Husmann continued the business in his own name. 
On January 18, 1862, he was commissioned by Willard P. Hall, acting governor 
of Missouri, first lieutenant and quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment of Vol- 
unteers, and in the following February he was mustered out. After his active 
service was over he followed the business, established and conducted extensive 
nurseries and one of the largest fruit farms in the state, known as a model farm, 
his fruits and wines receiving first prizes at all the fairs and expositions held in 
that vicinity at the time. Having made a careful study of horticulture, he pub- 
lished, in 1868, his first book, "Grapes and Wine," and later in the year he and 
Carl Schurz were elected by the state of Missouri electors at large for presi- 
dent and vice-president of the United States. He was also a member of the 
constitutional convention for revising the constitution of the state of Missouri. 
In 1898 he began the publication of a journal devoted exclusively to grape 
growing and wine making, "The Grape Culturist," and continued this work 
about four years. About the time of the appearance of this journal he became 
president of the newly organized Bluffton Wine Company, of Bluffton, Mo., 
and later, in 1870, was appointed a member of the board of curators of the 
Missouri State University. To him belongs the honor of being one of the first 
to ship cuttings of American resistant vines to France for the purpose of re- 
establishing her vineyards. In 1872 he established the Husmann Nurseries at 
Sedalia, Mo., which were conducted until 1878, when he was appointed pro- 
fessor of pomology and forestry in the State University of Missouri. He was 
a charter member of the Missouri Horticultural Society and of the State Board 
of Agriculture, and remained a member of the board until he left the state. 
In 1878 he and Parker Earle originated and organized the Mississippi Horticul- 
tural Society and two years later, in 1880. the second book, "Grape Growing 
and Wine Making," was published. 

In 1881 he resigned his professorship in the University of Missouri and ac- 
cepted the management of J. W. Simonton's estate, the Talcoa Vineyards, in 
Napa county, Cal. Four years later, in 1885, Hon. Norman J. Colman. United 
States commissioner of agriculture, appointed him state statistical agent of 
California and while acting in this capacity he served as a member of the viti- 
cultural congress, convened at Washington, and collected the wine sent from 
this state to the Paris Exhibition, which was awarded some twenty medals. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



389 



In 1888 his third hook. "Grape Culture and Wine Making," was published, and 
a new revised edition followed in 1892, and in 1896a fourth edition, revised and 
written with additions, was issued. 

The closing years ^i his life were spent writing for various horticultural 

and viticultural journals and papers to which he was a regular and constant 
contributor. The tranquility of his home in Napa and his ranch in Chiles val- 
lev. in Napa county, served as places of recreation and enjoyment from his 
literary pursuits. On November 5, 1902, one day after he had reached seventy- 
rive years of age, Mr. Hnsmann died, leaving an honorable record and an ex- 
ample well worthy the emulation of his children. Me was married to Miss 
Louisa Carolina Kielmann. at Hermann. Gasconade county. Mo.. July 13. 1854, 
and to Mr. and Mrs. Hnsmann un children were horn, of whom six are living: 
Louisa Charlotta Josephine; Amalia Wilhelmine; George Charles Frederick; 
Johanna Cecelia; Josephine Lucie, and Frederick Ludwig, who. together with 
their mother, mourn the loss ni their loved one. 



ANDREW JACKSON RANEY. 

Among the well-known pion» tesidents of Napa county the late An- 
drew Jackson Raney was for many years closely identified with its agricul- 
tural interests. He was horn August 23. 1828, near Lexington, Ky., a son 
<>i John Thomas and Maria Elizabeth (Coghlan) Raney, both natives of Ken- 
tucky. A. I Raney was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools 
and remained at home until 1849, when he crossed the plains with ox-team to 
California. Arriving in the state he spent some time in the mines in Yuba and 
Placer counties and in 1851 located in Xapa county, remaining about six 
months in Xapa. then went to Browns valley. There he was in partnership 
with Dr. \\ . W. Stillwagon for some time, and later embarked in farming in- 
dependently in that same locality. 

In 1852 Mr. Raney married Antonia Arenas, and the following year the 
young couple located in Rag canyon, where he took up government land, 
improved it with buildings, fences, etc.. and continued there until 1855, when 
he sold out at a profit and purchased a farm five miles from Xapa, now known 
as the old Hagen place. In 1856 he sold this property and located in Gordon 
valley and became manager of the Gordon and Coombs stock ranch, remain- 
ing in that capacity for thirty-two years. In the meantime he had purchased 
a ranch in Capell valley and in 1888 located there with his family and engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. He was instrumental in the survey of the road 
from Monticello to Berryessa valley and was one of the superintendents of the 
building of the road. His ranch comprised sixteen hundred and seventy acres 
all in one body, and upon this he carried on sheep and cattle raising and also 
engaged in horticulture. 

Mr. Raney was always interested in the advancement of the interests of 
the county, though he never cared for office at any time. It was the wish of 
his fellow citizens to nominate him as a candidate for sheriff, but he refused. 
However, he was induced to run for supervisor of his district and was elected 
by a large majority, and after the first two terms of two years each he was 
elected without opposition, serving sixteen years in all. Two years prior to 
his death, which occurred June 12. 1909. he became blind and removed to 
Napa, but superintended the business of the ranch until his death. He wished 
to resign from the board of supervisors on account of his affliction, but the 
other members would not accept his resignation and he continued in that office 
until his demise. He was a member of the Knights of Honor. 

Mr. Raney 's marriage, in Xapa. October 10. 1852. with Miss Antonia 
Arenas, united him with an old Spanish family. She was born in Guaymas, 
Mexico, a daughter of Capt. Augustine and Incarnacion (Robles) Arenas, the 



390 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

former a native of Spain- and the latter of Sonora, Mexico. Captain Arenas 
went to sea as a boy and followed that vocation for many years, becoming 
captain of sailing vessels, and rounded Cape Horn many times, and sailed to 
all the important ports of the world, finally locating in Sonora, Mexico, where 
he married, and in 1852 sailed for California as captain of a vessel. He arrived 
in San Francisco and retired from the sea, locating in Napa. Both he and 
his wife died in Napa county. 

Since Mr. Raney's death Mrs. Raney has made her home in Napa with 
her daughter, Mrs. Charles Reams. She owns the old Raney place in Capell 
valley, which is managed by her son, George W. Of the eight children born 
of this marriage, three died in infancy ; John died at the age of twenty-three ; 
Jotham at the age of fourteen ; and Nellie Mathilda at the age of eight. 
George W. is living on the home place, and Martha is the wife of Charles 
Reams, of Napa. Mr. Raney was always known as "Uncle Jack Raney," 
and a world of significance was expressed in that endearing term, showing 
the love and esteem in which he was held by every one, all admiring and 
loving him for his sterling worth and many acts of charity and kindness. 



MARGARET MAY MELVIN. 

The qualities which have won for women of talent and steadfast purpose 
admission into the leading professions and occupations form noteworthy at- 
tributes in the character of Miss Melvin, who as county superintendent of 
schools wields a distinct influence upon the educational upbuilding of Napa 
county and carries forward with intelligent resourcefulness measures for 
the promotion of the usefulness of the schools. The impression that she 
leaves with a stranger is of an educator singularly well qualified for the pro- 
fession and fully equal to every emergency necessary to be met in the course 
of her work. To her friends her presence brings with it a feeling of confi- 
dence and a realization of her thorough familiarity with every detail con- 
nected with the office which she fills with accepted dignity and tact. 

Of remote French lineage and direct New England descent, Miss Melvin 
is a daughter of Harrison A. Melvin, a native of the Green Mountain state and 
a settler of California during the latter 60's. For some time he engaged in 
the sheep industry on a ranch in Lake county, first with a partner and later 
alone. Eventually he removed to Sisters, Crook county, Ore., where he still 
makes his home, carrying on ranching enterprises as well as a milling business 
and owning a large tract of farm land in the vicinity of the village. After 
coming to the west he met and married Miss Mary McCulloch, who was born 
in Indiana and died at San Francisco in 1905. Her father, Alexander McCul- 
loch, came to California in 1853, crossing the plains accompanied by his family 
and settling in the Potter valley in Mendocino county, where he was an hon- 
ored pioneer. 

The family of Harrison A. and Mary Melvin comprised four daughters 
and two sons, namely : Julia, now the wife of W. H. Davidson, of Ukiah ; 
John W., who is engaged in the drug business at Redding; Margaret May, of 
Napa ; Bertha, who is employed as money-order clerk in the Redding post- 
office ; Eugene, in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at 
Reno, Nev. ; and Anna E., who died in young womanhood. Miss Margaret M., 
the third member of the family circle in order of birth, was born June 13, 1877, 
at the home ranch, situated at the foot of San Hedrin mountain in Lake 
county. During girlhood she was a pupil in public schools in Mendocino, 
Sonoma and Napa counties, and in 1899 she was graduated with honors from 
the Santa Rosa high school. Her first experience in educational work was 
gained during a year as teacher in Lake county. Next she' secured a position 





<3ciaajz£ ^^/fuJkzr- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\h NAPA COUNTIES 393 

as teacher in the Ybuntville public schools. At the expiration of one year 
she was promoted t<> be principal and continued to fill the position with 
recognized ability and gratifying success until she was elected county su- 
perintendent oi schools. As the nominee of the Republican party she 
was chosen for this office in November, 1910, and took the oath of 
office January 1. 1911, since which time she has concentrated her entire atten- 
tion upon the work of the position. Already she has become known as an 
intelligent, able county official and her advisory work with inexperienced 
teachers has won particular commendation. The schools are maintained at 
the high standard previously established by other capable superintendents 
and it is her proud ambition to achieve results equal to those secured by her 
predecessors. Devotion to educational movements has given her especial 
prominence in this field of usefulness, but she is also well known and highly 
honored in other lines of citizenship. In social circles her position is one of 
assured influence, in religion iti its broadest and most liberal sense she has 
been an uplifting factor in her community, while the maintenance of a high 
moral standard among the youth of the county has been one of her chief 
aims as a private citizen and as a county official. 



JAMES McNULTY. 

The history of Mr. McNulty's childhood is a record of struggle with ad- 
versity. Born in Oswego. X. Y., October 1. 1840. his earliest memories con- 
cern the region lying on the shores of Lake Ontario and the little cottage home 
occupied by his father. John McNulty, a sturdy workman whose early death 
in 1847 left the family without means of support. Two years later the mother 
also passed away. Both were natives of York state and possessed splendid 
traits of character. When ten years of age James McXulty left Oswego for 
Penn Yan. Yates county. X. Y., and there he attended school at such times as 
he could be spared from the work in which he aided. His principal occupation 
was that of boating and rafting on the lakes and rivers of western Xew York. 
At the age of nineteen he came alone to California, in April, 1860, via Panama, 
and locating in the Suisun valley, secured employment as a farm laborer, later 
renting land for himself. For three years he owned and conducted a livery barn 
in Fairfield. At that time no railroads had been built and travel was done 
almost wholly by means of horses. 

Returning to Xew York state Mr. McXulty there married in 1868 Miss 
Alice Dorman. a native of that state. Mrs. McNulty died, leaving no children, 
and in i898 Mr. McXulty was united with Miss Ida Keefer. a native of Ran- 
som, Hillsdale county. Mich., and a woman possessing many attractive quali- 
ties of heart and mind. They are the parents of two children : James Elmer, 
who was born in 1900 and is now a pupil in the local schools; and Lola May. 
The first land bought by Mr. McXulty in California comprised six hundred 
and one acres on Putah Creek, in Xapa county. This he held for three years 
and then sold at a fair advance over the original <-ost. Xext he bought fifty- 
two acres in the Suisun valley. Upon selling out he bought eighty-two acres, 
which later he sold. Since then he purchased and located upon a fruit farm of 
one hundred and thirty acres in the Suisun valley, of which he has sold off por- 
tions until he now owns only seventy acres. On these places he set out trees 
and made improvements. His peach orchard of twelve acres brought him 
$1650 in 1911. and during the same year he received S2600 in return from his 
vineyard. The latter, however, is being replaced with Bartlett pears. Tilton 
apricots and French prunes. The ranch is located seven miles northwest of 
Suisun. in the fertile valley of that name, and is well improved with permanent 
buildings. In addition to his home farm he owns eighty acres near Fairfield. 

20 



394 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

which is under cultivation to grain. All of his property represents his unaided 
exertions and furnishes a silent testimony as to his intelligent management 
and sagacious judgment. 

On coming to California for the first time Mr. McNulty made the trip by 
water. When he returned east it was also an ocean voyage and in the same 
way he brought his young wife back to the western coast, but in two sub- 
sequent trips he made to the east he traveled by railroad and enjoyed the com- 
forts of modern methods of transportation. Politically he has voted the Re- 
publican ticket ever since he cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham 
Lincoln. For forty-six years he has been connected with Masonry and has 
held membership in Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M., to the philanthropies of 
which he has been a regular contributor through all of these years. 



MRS. ELIZABETH CAHILL. 

By those who know her best, Mrs. Cahill is conceded to be a woman of 
splendid qualities and rare courage, possessed also of an exceptional amount 
of good business ability, which has greatly aided her in the undertaking which 
for the past nineteen years she has successfully managed, the Cahill house 
ranking among the best private hostelries in the city. 

A native of County Galway, Ireland, Elizabeth (Hessian) Cahill immi- 
grated to America at the age of twelve years, joining her parents, who had 
preceded her, the family settling in Lowell, Mass. In 1864 Mrs. Cahill jour- 
neyed to California via Panama on the Golden Age, which, upon taking 
fire, ran into Acapulco and transferred its passengers to the Golden City. 
Arriving at San Francisco, she proceeded to Vallejo, at that time but a small 
hamlet, and three years later became the wife of Martin Cahill, also .born in 
Ireland, and who settled in California in 1859. A farmer by occupation, he 
ranched extensively for many years on the Napa and Solano county line, 
specializing in grain and stock. For a time he carried on his affairs in part- 
nership with General Frisby, later farming alone on the Frisby land. After 
he gave up farming he moved to South Vallejo, and some years later he was 
appointed roadmaster of that district of Solano county, ably performing his 
new duties until his death in March, 1910. 

Being owners of the old South Vallejo house, in 1893 the Cahills moved 
into it, improving it and renaming it the Cahill house, and assisted by her 
daughters, Mrs. Cahill by wise management has placed the enterprise on a 
good paying basis. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Cahill were born five children, as follows: John, who 
resides in Vallejo; Henry, overseer of roads, Vallejo district; Julia, whose 
home is in San Francisco ; and Margaret and Elizabeth, who ably assist their 
mother in conducting the hotel. Earnest members of the St. Vincent's Cath- 
olic church, Mrs. Cahill and her daughters are highly esteemed throughout 
the community, their unfailing courtesy and generous principles being ex- 
emplified in their daily lives. 



HENRY HAY KNAPP. 

Perhaps no one whom the westward tide of migration brought to Napa 
was more highly esteemed by people in all walks of life than was the late 
Henry Hay Knapp, who not only achieved success in business in this place, 
but attained that more greatly to be desired, viz. : the affection of intimate 
friends and the highest respect of a wide circle of acquaintances and busi- 
ness associates. Indeed his popularity was so great that the Republicans of 
the county urged the presentation of his name in convention as a candidate 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND N \l'.\ COUNTIES 



395 



for governor and certainly both his ability and his attainments qualified him 
for the highest post within the gift of the i >c-i >j >K- of tin- state. 

Born at Spafford, Onondaga county, X. Y.. Inly 23, 1832, Henry Ha) 
Knapp was a small chiKl when the family removed to the then frontier terri- 
tory of Michigan ami took up land in Lenawee comity. 'The hardships o! 

itence on the frontier fell to his lot ami deprived him of any opportunity 
to attend school, vet by observation ami reading he became a man oi broad 
information. As early as 1852 he joined a party bound for California and 
after his arrival secured employment at the trade of a carpenter, working 
successively at Stockton. Marysville and Knights Landing. Returning to 
the east about 1854. at Warsaw. Ind.. he married Miss Jennie Knapp. a daugh- 
ter of Amos S. Knapp, who was born at Canandaigua, Ontario county. X. Y.. 
but removed to Michigan in the early settlement of that territory, driving from 
New York through northwestern Ohio and over the corduroy roads into 
southern .Michigan. Later he removed to Warsaw. Ind.. from which point, 
in 1859, accompanied by his family and Henry II. Knapp and wife, he crossed 
the plain.- with OX-teams. From that time until his death he made his home 
at Xapa. Of his three children. Mrs. Julia Richmond died in San Francisco. 
Elizabeth. Mrs. C. G. Ault. who was educated in the Xapa Collegiate Insti- 
tute anil the Napa Ladies' Seminary, resides with Mrs. Jennie Knapp. for 
whom in her widowhood and ill health she wisely and tenderly cares. 

The lumber business which was established in 1860 by Henry Hay 
Knapp became one oi the leading enterprises of Xapa and brought to its 
proprietor returns as gratifying as they were deserved. For many years he 
also engaged in the building industry, but in September of 1900 he disposed 
of his lumber and building interests in order to devote his attention to other 
enterprises. Meantime, in 1889. he had become connected with the bank oi 
lames II . Goodman as a director, and later he was chosen manager of the 
business, which he guided with a conservative policy until his death in 1901. 
The institution thrived under his sagacious leadership and brought growing 
dividends to its stockholders. In addition to his laborious duties connected 
with the bank management he found leisure for civic responsibilities and 
served ably as a city trustee and as president of the Napa City Water Com- 
pany. In the councils of the Republican party he was a leader and wielded 
large influence in the state conventions of the organization, where his splen- 
did mental attainments aided in the formulation of a code of principles and 
suggested necessary changes in the platform. Not only was he one of the 
prominent Republicans of the state, but also he was one of the most influ- 
ential members of the Masonic Order in California, and at one time officiated 

_; r and high priest of the grand chapter of this commonwealth. Locally he 
held membership with Yount Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M.; Napa Chapter No. 
30. R. A. M.. and Napa Commandery Xo. 34, K. T., in which last named 
organization he was honored with the offices of treasurer and eminent com- 
mander. 



THERON M. PARKER. 

\ native of Tennessee. Theron M. Parker at an early age came to Cali- 
fornia across the plains in 1855 in an ox-team train. Locating in Yountville, 
Xapa county, he farmed there for several years on a ranch of three hundred 
acres, devoting his time and attention to the raising of grain. Later he came 
to Xapa. and for three years he was engaged in teaming, finding this not only 
pleasant, but also profitable. He was a member of the Xapa Grange, and near 
this city he died December 21, 1890. 

On April 9. 1863. Mr. Parker married Adriana Coverdill, who came across 
the plains with her parents and two other children in 1850. when she was two 
years of age. Her parents were Fli and Leah (Sprouse) Coverdill, both na 



396 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

tives of Illinois. The family settled on a farm of three hundred and forty- 
acres near Yountville, Napa county. Mr. Coverdill went east overland and 
returned the same way in 1854, bringing with him his sister and his two oldest 
children who had been left with relatives. He died in Kansas in 1888. Of the 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Parker those living are as follows : Emma, 
wife of E. B. Walker, of Napa; Anna V., wife of W. A. Walker, of Stockton; 
Minnie E., wife of George Thompson, of Napa; William J., a sketch of whose 
life follows; Adelia, wife of William Thompson, of Napa, and Pearl, wife of 
George Hammond, of Stockton. 

William J. Parker, the only living son of Theron M. Parker, was born at 
Yountville in 1872 and was reared on his father's farm. Later he was em- 
ployed at the Veterans' Home, Yountville, for six years. Viticulture has 
always been an interesting study to him, and for the past twelve years he has 
had congenial employment as foreman of the La Rue ranch, formerly the old 
Hopper place, at Yountville. The ranch consists of one hundred and forty 
acres of resistant vines and under the wise direction of the expert foreman 
the place has become one of the most productive vineyards in the Napa valley, 
never failing to produce a large crop to the acre. 

William J. Parker was married July 17, 1897, to Miss Caroline Lerch, 
the daughter of Prof. J. T. Lerch, who was educated in music in Germany and 
was there married. He came as a pioneer to Sonoma county, where he taught 
music and made his home throughout the remainder of his life. Mr. and 
Mrs. Parker have two children, Clarence and Emil. Mr. Parker is a member 
of Napa Lodge. Knights of Pythias, and the Woodmen of the World. 



LEWIS G. HARRIER. 

Not alone by his thorough education, but by his innate ability as well, 
Lewis G. Harrier has been enabled to successfully discharge the duties of 
life which have thus far fallen to his lot. He was born in Solano county, 
and. with the exception of a few years spent in the mining regions in his boy- 
hood, has lived in this county all his life. His father, D. W. Harrier, who, 
at the age of seventy-eight years, recently retired from active commercial 
life, for the past forty-five years carried on a splendid business, and filled 
many city and county offices with credit and ability. His mother, Maria (Lee) 
Harrier, a native of Massachusetts, came to California with her father, John 
Lee, in 1854. and is the sole survivor of a family of nine. In Amesbury, Mass., 
is a house which is now preserved as a historical building, which in 1654 was 
the home of Anthony Colby, an ancestor. 

Graduating from the grammar and high schools of Vallejo, Lewis G. 
Harrier entered the State University, where he acquired the degree of Ph.B., 
thereafter taking up the study of law. From 1880 to 1897 he taught in the 
Vallejo public schools and later, having entered into partnership with W. D. 
Pennycock, became the editor and publisher of The Chronicle of Vallejo. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1885 and in 1889 was elected to the office of assist- 
ant district attorney of Solano county, in which capacity he served four years. 
He also held the position of city superintendent of schools. Vallejo, from 
1892 to 1896. in 1894 having been elected city attorney, which office he held 
six years. In 1895 he was admitted to the supreme court at Washington. 

Judge Harrier was united in marriage in Berkeley, Cal., May 19, 1897, 
to Miss Jessie V. Penny, daughter of Charles W. Penny, one of the founders 
of the Republican party at Jackson, Mich. Mrs. Harrier, who graduated 
from the University of Michigan in 1892, is a descendant of the Puritans, her 
ancestors having journeyed to America in the Mayflower. 

In 1905 Judge Harrier was appointed by Governor Pardee to the office 




^"^c^C-^^^^^^^^k 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 401 

of superior judge of Solano county and was elected by the people i«» a second 
term. At the close of his second period of service he voluntarily retired and 
resumed his legal practice. 

fudge Harrier is interested in a number of business enterprises, and by 
reason of his exceptional executive ability holds office in many corporations. 
He is past master of Solan.. Lodge, F. & \. M.. a member of Naval Chapter 
and Naval Commandery, K. T.. and is also a member <>i Islam Temple. X. 
M. S.. the Odd Fellows, Native Sons of the Golden West, Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks, and the Eastern Star. Both Judge Harrier and his 
wile are members of the Episcopal church and are vitally interested in all 
things pertaining to the welfare oi the community in which they make their 
home. Politically he is a stanch Republican and holds an honorable position 
in the judiciary of this state. 



HANS ANDERSON. 

Solely through his own exertions, without influential friends to assist him 
in securing a foothold in the agricultural world and without the capital so 
important in beginning as a farmer. Mr. Anderson has risen to a position of 
considerable prominence in his locality and has attained a financial independ- 
ence reflecting credit upon his laborious application and sagacity of judgment. 
His parents, both of whom are deceased, bequeathed the old homestead to his 
sister, this being the wish of the brothers in California, and he had no aid 
from them in his efforts to earn a livelihood, but, being throwm early upon his 
own resources, he developed powers of self-reliance and sagacity necessary 
to the attainment of even the most modest degree of success. The large hold- 
ings that he possesses have come to him through constant effort in the midst 

rcumstances ofttimes most discouraging, and their acquisition evinces his 
own force of character and power of application. 

Hans Anderson was born near the city of Odense. on the Island of Fyen, 
in the fertile land of Denmark. October 23. 1853. This island is referred to 
by the poet as the "Pearl of the Sea," and among these surroundings he was 
reared, obtaining his education in the public schools until the age of sixteen, 
when he became an apprentice to learn landscape gardening and floriculture 
on the estate of a nobleman for a period of five years and, as was the custom 
in that country, he received no pay during this time, but on the other hand 
had to pay for his tuition. Then at the age of twenty-one he came to Cali- 
fornia, and on the 28th of May. 1875. he arrived at Rio Vista, Solano county, 
where two days later he secured employment as driver of a wagon at $40 per 
month. The first money he saved was used in paying a debt of S80 for his 
pa-sage to this country. His next savings were held for future investment, 
and in two years he had $680 to his credit. With this modest capital he started 
out as a farmer. Misfortune fell to his lot from the first. For several years 
he was flooded out each season so that the crops were entirely lost, and when 
he left the rented farm he had a burden of $4,000 indebtedness resulting from 
the floods. The kindness of creditors enabled him to start anew. Removing 
to the hill country he rented a small portion of the Toland estate, and there 
was enabled to retrieve his losses. During 189" he sold his stock, implements 
and lease and bought ten hundred and seventy-eight acres in the Suisun 
valley, forming what is now known as the Fredensborg ranch, meaning the 
"abode or dwelling of peace." Fredensborg ranch is located seven miles north- 
3t of Suisun and nestles serenely against the foothills of the Green Valley 
ran^e. and the contour of the hills lies in the shape of a crescent facing the 
east. The orchard, comprising cherries, apricots, peaches and pears, was all 
set out by Mr. Anderson and the location is especially adapted to the early 
ripening of cherries, hence they command the highest price, lie laid out the 



402 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

orchards and park with its drive lined with orange trees, and the hills and 
mountains in the background, resplendant with verdure, make a beautiful 
setting, and one of the most attractive places in the county. From the time 
of the purchase to the present Mr. Anderson has continued to occupy and 
operate the land, to which he has added by the purchase of seven hundred 
and fifty acres, making a total of eighteen hundred and twenty-eight acres. 
The land is utilized largely for pasture and is well adapted to grazing purposes. 
Horses are raised on the land, some being retained for the work of the ranch 
and others being sold in the markets. Usually several hundred head of cattle 
are kept on the ranch and very recently Mr. Anderson returned from a trip 
to Wyoming, bringing with him two hundred and fifty head of cattle bought 
from farmers of that state. While stock-raising is an important feature of 
the ranch activities, it does not represent the limit of the owner's energies, for 
he has improved eighty acres with fruit trees and finds that his large. orchard 
adds materially to his income each year. 

Mr. Anderson's first marriage, April 21, 1877, was to Christine Sorenson, 
who died in Rio Vista leaving three children, Tillie and Emma, both at home, 
and Andrew, who was adopted by his uncle, Peter Anderson, of Rio Vista. 
Hans Anderson's second marriage in Rio Vista in September, 1886, united 
him with a sister of his first wife. Miss Kerry Sorenson. who was also born at 
Xyborg, Fyen, Denmark, and to them have been born four children. Charles 
died at two years of age. Edith. Leslie and Florence are under the parental 
roof and are graduates of the grammar schools. Since he became a citizen of 
the United States Mr. Anderson has been a Republican and has kept well 
posted concerning the problems confronting our government. In their locality 
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are supporters of all movements for the general wel- 
fare, believers in progressive projects, friends of education and contributors 
to charities, kindly in their dealings with others and accommodating in their 
associations with neighbors. 



JOSEPH BALLINGER CHILES. 

In the name of Chiles Valley, Napa county, is represented more than a 
growing community of progressive men and women, more than an increase 
of barns and storehouses, it stands for the life of one of the best and noblest 
pioneers that ever came to California, and represents and memorializes that 
life-toil cheerfully given and spent, so characteristic in the efforts of Joseph 
Ballinger Chiles. On June 25, 1885, he passed away, leaving the epistle of 
his life an open book for all to read and learn therefrom many of the lessons 
of life. 

Joseph Ballinger Chiles was born in Clark county, Ky., July 16, 1810, a 
son of Henry and Sarah (Ballinger) Chiles. Reared on a farm, he had only 
the advantages of a common school education. In 1831 he moved to Jackson 
county. Mo., and engaged in farming and in stock-raising until 1838, when he 
enlisted in a regiment of Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned 
captain on the battlefield. He engaged in the Florida war, participating in the 
hard-fought and decisive battle of Okochobee, as well as many others of 
lesser importance. After the war he remained in Missouri until April, 1841, 
when, together with thirty-one men, one woman and one child, he started 
across the plains, bound for California. In his party were Sam Andy and 
Benjamin Kelsey and the latter's wife and child. By way of the North Platte 
river they finally reached the Sink of the Humboldt. The course then lay 
southward along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the 
Joseph Walker Pass, then down the Stanislaus and San Joaquin rivers. Cali- 
fornia was reached in October, 1841, and the first stopping place was at Dr. 
Marsh's place at the foot of Mount Diablo, the site of Martinez, on the north- 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND N KP \ COUNTIES 403 

cm side. They then wont to Sonoma, where passports wore issued to them 
on Or. Marsh and other American residents vouching for their good behavior. 
After the receipt of passports, Joseph B. Chiles and Charles Hopper spent tin- 
winter in traveling and in getting acquainted with the country generally. In 
the following spring they went to Sutter's Fort and there provided themselves 
with provisions for their return trip east. In traveling around during the 
course of that winter. Joseph Chiles passed through what is now known as 
Chiles valley, the genera! contour of the land and the apparent fertility of 
the place deeply impressing him. In 1S42 he returned to Missouri with a 
company of nine men. 

Almost immediately after their arrival they set about organizing another 
party to take the western trip, and in 1843 Joseph Chiles, with a company of 
fifty or sixty under his care, well equipped with stock, wagons, provisions, and 
a well-filled" medicine chest, set out to journey across the plains to California. 
This medicine chest is now the property of Henry L. Chiles. At Fort Hall 
they were met by Capt. Joseph Walker, and his services as guide were se- 
cured. Colonel Chiles then took thirty horsemen and by way of Fort Boise 
and Pitt river went to Sacramento valley, arriving safely at Sutter's Fort. 

In 1844 Colonel Chiles came to Xapa county and took the proper steps to 
secure from the Mexican government the tract of land now known as the 
Cataculu rancho : all he paid for this princely domain was $5 for the paper 
on which to write the deed, and in the same year he built a log house. This 
was followed by an adobe house, later a mill was erected, whip-sawed lumber 
being used, and he also put in the old dam and built a blacksmith and wagon 
shop. He also built a distillery and raised cattle, mules and hogs extensively. 
He was a prominent figure in the Bear Flag war, protecting the families of 
General Vallejo, Jacob P. Leese and others. 

In 1847 Colonel Chiles returned to Missouri with the Stockton party, act- 
ing as pi lot. for which he received $2 per day, returning to California in 1848 
with another party. Five years later, in 1853, he again returned to Missouri, 
and the same year he was married in Missouri, and in 1854 brought his wife 
t'> California and settled on one thousand acres, the Vines tract, now the site 
of Rutherford. Here he resided for many years, and in 1864 located on his 
grant in Chiles valley, continuing to make his home here for eight years. In 
1872 he located in St. Helena, where he built his residence. He was the oldest 
American settler in Xapa county at his death. His life was filled with hard- 
ships and battles won, all of which formed material for stories which he was 
able to recount in a most realistic manner, because they were pages from his 
own life history. 

Colonel Chiles was married in Missouri. December 25. 1855, to Margaret 
Jane Garnhart. a native of Jefferson county. Va., born January 27. 1827. By 
a former marriage there were four children born: Mrs. Fannie Brown, of Los 
Angeles: Mrs. Leonard Tully, of St. Helena; James R.. who died in Blue 
Mills. Mo.; and Mr--. Jerome Davis, of Sacramento. By his second marriage 
there were six children: W. G.. of Siskiyou county; Amelia and Susie, de- 
ceased: Joseph B.. of Marin county: Dixie V., Mrs. A. X. Bell, of St. Helena; 
and Henry Lee. who resides on a part of the old home place. Joseph B. Chiles 
passed away June 2b. 1885. and his widow survived him about fifteen years, 
dying at the old home in St. Helena. 



MAXWELL NURSERY. 

Xo history of Xapa county would be complete without mention of the 
splendid enterprise known as Maxwell Nursery, started in 1895 by John Max- 
well. In his native land. Ireland, he had ample opportunity to learn the 
nursery business, and when he came to America in the early 80's he was 



404 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

eminently qualified to earn his livelihood in the line of his training. It did 
not take him long to decide that Napa county was very well suited to his pur- 
pose, and the nursery which he established was the first in the county. With 
the passing of years it has developed to large proportions, more than justify- 
ing the faith shown by its founder. Mr. Maxwell's demise occurred in Napa, 
May 26, 1910: He was a popular Forester and a well-known figure in all 
progressive movements in the county. When he died the county lost a keen 
business man and one who was interested in its welfare. 

Maxwell Nursery is now conducted by Thomas Maxwell, son of the 
founder. Commenced in a small way, the business gradually increased to 
such an extent that the premises had to be enlarged, and today the business 
is conducted on fifty acres of rich land, a portion of the Guy Young ranch, 
on the bank of Napa river. A specialty is made of French prunes and cherries. 
The nursery does a large business in all parts of the state, not only in prune 
and cherry trees, but also in other fruit trees. The Maxwell Nursery, is one 
of the progressive industries for which Napa county is noted, and as the val- 
ley develops will necessarily lead to even greater successes in the future than 
have been enjoyed in the past. 



ANDREW RASMUSSEN. 

A native of Denmark, Andrew Rasmussen was born near Fladerslev, 
Schleswig, March 1, 1860. His father, Peter, was a farmer and in 1864 re- 
moved to Bornholm, the latter being an independent island, but now a pos- 
session of Denmark. On locating: there he boueht a farm and carried it on 
until his death at the age of sixty-four years. He had married Kathrina 
Larsen, who passed away at the age of sixty-two. Of their five children 
there are two living and Andrew is the only one in California. 

Andrew Rasmussen was reared on the home farm in Bornholm and there 
received his education in the public schools. When he had reached the age 
of sixteen years he decided to take up ranching for a life work. Having an 
uncle. Hans Rasmussen, living in Omaha, Neb., he came to America and 
joined him in 1876. This uncle was a farmer and a contractor and builder and 
had been in the United States for many years. After being with this uncle 
three years he decided to come to California, and in 1879 we find him in San 
Francisco as a helper in a machine shop. During the year he worked in the 
machine shop he attended night school. In 1880 he came to Napa county and 
found employment in the Talcoa vineyard, here taking up the study of viticul- 
ture under Prof. George Husmann, during the following four years. In 1884 
he accepted a position as foreman in Mr. Husmann's vineyard in Chiles val- 
ley and for two years was engaged in that capacity. The next three years he 
was employed in Wheeler's vineyard and winery near St. Helena as foreman, 
and held the same position in the Lemme vineyard and winery on Spring 
mountain the following year. 

During all these years spent in the study of this line of industry, Mr. 
Rasmussen had developed remarkable aptitude and in 1890 he was engaged 
as superintendent of the Summit vineyard and winery of one hundred and 
thirty acres. Eight years later he resigned from this position and bought a 
place near Calistoga consisting of one hundred and twenty acres, all in timber; 
of this forty acres are cleared, thirty acres being in vines. He did the work 
himself and also erected a comfortable house and suitable outbuildings to 
carry on the place. About this time he entered the employ of the California 
Wine Association at the Graystone winery and each season for the following 
five years had charge of the manufacture of the wine. In 1903 he was sent 
to Fresno by this company and for three years had charge of their Scandi- 
navian vineyards and winery. In 1906 he accepted a position with Prof. 




JT(% £ 



tf-frtrtLe?*-^ 




lJcxj cJ( C, oV^tev^ 



HISTORY OF Sol. \\o AND X \l'.\ COUNTIES 



409 



George C. Husmann as special agent in viticulture and at that time was the 
only special agent in this state. He filled the position for about a year and then 
resigned to accept a position as superintendent of the Fresno vineyards and 
wineries for the California Wine Association, which was tendered him in 
1907. Me there had supervision of twelve hundred and forty acres of vineyard 
ami two wineries'. In 1 () 09 he was transferred h\ them to the same position 
in the Xapa wineries, the two having a capacity of 2,100,000 gallons of wine. 
Mr. Rasmussen still owns his ranch near Calistoga, which is looked after by 
his son Rolla. It is known as the Monte Vista or mountain view vineyard. 

In St. Helena occurred the marriage ^i Mr. Rasmussen and Miss Evelyn 
Penland. who was born in Xapa county, and a daughter of Isaac l'enland, 
who came across the plains to California in 1853 and was one of the pioneer 
farmers in Napa valley, lie married Susan March, who was horn in Oregon, 
and they are still living on a ranch near Calistoga. Mr. Rasmussen and his 
wife have four children: Pearl. Rolla. Edna and Ivan. In politics Mr. Ras- 
mussen is a Republican and has assisted in putting into office the men of his 
choice. He was made a Mason in St. Helena Lodge No. 93. F. & A. M.; is 
a member of Calistoga Chapter, O. E. S., and of St. Helena Lodge No. 167, 
I. O. O. F. The family are comfortably located on their home ranch and 
in the county they have surrounded themselves with many friends. In busi- 
- circles Mr. Rasmussen is well known, and during the many years that 
he has been connected with the wine business and the growing of grapes has 
become a recognized authority along those lines. 



WILLIAM B. TOWSOX. 

The last bugle-note, summoning from earth her bravest and best, has 
called from life's activities many of those whose names are indissolubly con- 
nected with the early history of our own state and who have stood the brunt 
of the battle of pioneering, leaving us to the enjoyment of their work. Such 
is the case with the subject of this sketch, William B. Towson, now deceased. 
The life herein delineated began in 1831 in Baltimore, Md., and ended in 
Vacaville in 1896. During the sixty-five years indicated, there came many 
experiences that rounded out the character and developed his personality. 

For five years Mr. Towson remained in Baltimore, Md., with his parents, 
then the family moved to Missouri and two years later the mother died. The 
boy received the advantages of an education in the public schools of Missouri 
and then, upon his graduation, he learned the cooper's trade. At the age of 
eighteen years, with all the hopes and anticipations of life to the full strong 
within him. he set out for California in 1850, crossing the plains and ultimately 
settling near Vacaville, Solano county. He first purchased land near Laguna 
Lake, and with his partner, Edward Graham, engaged in grain raising for 
three years, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Towson purchased 
one hundred and ninety acres, where his widow now lives. Here he con- 
tinued to raise grain and stock up to the time of his death. 

In 1864 Mr. Towson was married to Miss Mary E. Stark, a native of 
Palmyra. Mo., born in 1843, the daughter of Ambrose D. and Elizabeth 
(Campbell) Stark, natives of Kentucky. Mr. Stark came to California in 
1850 across the plains. Returning to Missouri in 1853, the following year he 
again came west, this time bringing his wife and their six children, the ox-team 
journey lasting from April until September, location being made in Solano 
county. The death of the mother occurred in Colusa county when they arrived 
in the state, and the father died in 1891. Mrs. Towson was educated in the 
public schools of Vacaville. To Mr. and Mrs. Towson were born thirteen 
children, three of whom are now deceased. Xamed in the order of their birth 






410 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the children are as follows : Allen, of Vacaville ; Robert, deceased ; Adna, 
residing in Vaca valley, the wife of Ben Christopher; Ruth, the wife of Charles 
Christopher, and residing near Vacaville ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Pierson, of this val- 
ley; Ralph and Jennie, both deceased; Frank, a carpenter at Richmond; 
Everett, a chemist in the sugar refinery at San Francisco ; William B., Jr., 
now living with his mother on the ranch ; Leroy, a graduate of the dental 
college in San Francisco, and one of the leading dentists in Vacaville ; and 
Reuben and Rupert, twins, the former of Woodland and the latter at home. 
Mr. Towson was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
politically he was a Democrat. He was one of the earliest settlers in Solano 
county and was known throughout Vaca A-alley as a very successful rancher. 
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Towson has continued to operate 
the ranch, making a specialty of horticulture, and has set out about seventy 
acres of trees, including prunes, peaches, cherries and plums. The ranch is 
located about one and a half miles west of Vacaville and is well improved' with 
a large residence, packing house and all modern conveniences for farming and 
horticulture. 



C. E. McCORMICK. D. O. 

The first representative of Dr. McCormick's family in the west was his 
father, William N., who was born in Arkansas in 1845, but passed the years 
of boyhood in Missouri, and during 1863 crossed the plains to California with 
mule-teams. The party which he accompanied consisted of fifty-two men 
and two women, the two most prominent men being Dr. Hugh Glenn and 
Marion Biggs. With the expedition there were brought four hundred and 
thirty-six head of horses and mules. Starting out from Omaha, the party 
proceeded slowly on the way and met with no special hardships or perils. 
At the expiration of sixty-two days they arrived at Sacramento and there 
dispersed. 

After an experience of two years as a rancher in Mendocino county Wil- 
liam N. McCormick removed to Napa county in 1865 and settled at St. Helena, 
where he became interested in ranching and later acquired a large drove of 
stock. The fattening of cattle on his ranch led him to open a butcher shop, 
and in addition he carried on a dray and express business. Fourteen years 
were spent on the ranch and in associated business pursuits, after which he 
acted as proprietor of the White Sulphur Springs hotel for five years and 
conducted the Walters' Springs hotel for one year. Coming to Napa during 
May of 1910, he has since lived in retirement from business activities, but 
still maintains a warm interest in all enterprises for the general welfare, and 
is as devoted to the state of his adoption as in his younger and more active 
days. 

The marriage of William N. McCormick in 1870 united him with Miss 
Nancy Jane York, a native of California, and now enjoying the distinction of 
being the oldest Native Daughter in the state. The children of the union 
are as follows: Dr. C. E., of Napa; Rodney; John W. ; Henry M., and Lloyd; 
Carrie, wife of F. J. Smith, of Oakland; Nellie, who married T. J. Dufficy, of 
Portland, Ore.; and Anna. Mrs. William N. McCormick was a daughter of 
that honored pioneer, John York, who died in 1909. 

Born at the old St. Helena homestead in Napa county, in 1878. C. E. 
McCormick obtained his primary education in the public schools and later 
attended the old academy at St. Helena. For three years he took the nurse's 
course in the Burke sanitarium near Santa Rosa, Sonoma county, after which 
he matriculated in the California College of Osteopathy. It was his privilege 
to graduate with the second class completing the required course of study in 
that institution. After the completion of his course he engaged in the prac- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 411 

ticc of his profession in San Francisco until the great fire of 1906 temporarily 
wrecked the city. During January of 1907 he came to Napa and opened an 
office, since which time he has built up a large practice and a growing popu- 
larity as a successful exponent of osteopathy. The science which he has 
studied and now practices embraces the principles of drugless healing, based 
upon the principle that the body has been endowed by nature with all the 
fluids and forces necessary for the preservation of health and recovery from 
disease, providing the mechanism which produces and distributes these fluids 
and forces is in perfect mechanical adjustment. 

Osteopathy was discovered by Or. A. T. Still in 1873, when he was at 
Baldwin, Kans. The founder, a physician and surgeon of the allopathic 
school, was a surgeon in the Union army throughout the Civil war and estab- 
lished the first College of Osteopathy at Kirksville. Mo., in 1893. There are 
now eight colleges in active operation in the United States. The minimum 
requirement ^i these colleges for graduation is three years of study of nine 
months each, or twenty-seven months, as compared with a minimum course 
of four years of six months each, or twenty-four months, which is the mini- 
mum requirement of the American Medical Association. There are nearly 
five thousand osteopathic physicians in practice. Their system is designated 
by the degree of Doctor t ->t Osteopathy, conferred by osteopathic colleges in 
contradistinction to the M.D. degree conferred by medical schools. In more 
than forty states osteopathy is accorded legal recognition. In many of these 
states it maintains its own state board of osteopathic examination or regis- 
tration or has one or more representatives in the state board of health. The 
science regards man as a machine. It deals with disease as primarily a dis- 
order in the mechanics of the body. It believes that the human body is its 
own chemical laboratory. It defines health as the perfect flow of life's fluids, 
disease as obstructed flow. Xormal nerve force is the best medicine life 
knows and pure blood is the best germicide. Osteopathic treatment is by 
adjustment. 

The marriage of Dr. McCormick occurred in 1899 and united him with 
Miss Eva Bradbury, a native of Kansas, and by the union he is the father of 
three children. Harold. Ruth and Marvin. The Fraternal Brotherhood and 
the Woodmen of the World number him among their members, while also he 
is actively associated with the Native Sons of the Golden West and serves 
at this writing as an examining physician of the order and of the Fraternal 
Brotherhood. 



CHESTER C. GREENWOOD. 

A true American, ambitious and energetic, Mr. Greenwood has attained, 
by his recognized ability and strict attention to duty, his present position of 
trust as quarterman shipwright in the Mare Island navy yard, to which office 
he was appointed by virtue of his standing in a competitive examination. 

Born in Vallejo. September 5, 1870. Mr. Greenwood is the third eldest 
son of the late Capt. George Hugh Greenwood (whose sketch appears else- 
where in this volume), who was prominent in the transportation industry on 
San Francisco bay. Mrs. Greenwood, formerly Elizabeth Colby Lee. of Ames- 
bury. Mass.. passed away in San Francisco in 1904. Nine children were born 
to them, seven of whom are living. Chester Greenwood spent his youth on 
the home farm, receiving a good education in the public and high schools of 
Vallejo. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed as a shipwright in the 
Mare Nland navy yard, and after completing his trade five years later, he 
continued in the government service until taking the competitive examination 
which secured him hi~ present appointment. Upon the incorporation of the 
Greenwood Company, he became a director and a participant in the manage- 



412 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ment of the estate. Included in the estate are two schooners, in constant 
service, known as the Roy Summers and the Jennie & Edna, the latter having 
been built by the captain. The property holdings include real estate in 
Vallejo and San Francisco, among which is a substantial three-story rein- 
forced concrete business building, the most modern in Vallejo, recently 
erected on Marin near Georgia street. 

Mr. Greenwood was united in marriage in Vallejo, December 30, 1894, 
with Miss Jane Shouse, born at the old home in American Canon, Napa county, 
and a daughter of Berry Shouse, Sr. (represented elsewhere in this volume). 
They have one child, Chester Lazelle. 

Fraternally Mr. Greenwood is a member of Golden State Lodge No. 216, 
I. O. O. F., of Vallejo, of which he is past grand. He also holds membership 
in Vallejo Parlor No. 77, N. S. G. W., having served efficiently as president. 
A Republican, maintaining a broad and intelligent interest in political devel- 
opments in general, he is also a conscientious and progressive citizen, always 
among the first to respond in aid of civic movements. Mrs. Greenwood is an 
active member of the Vallejo Baptist Church, in which field she finds many 
avenues for the practical expression of her womanly sympathy. 



WILLIAM K. GEDGE. 

Several successive generations of the Gedge family were associated with 
maritime affairs and when William K. selected an occupation for himself 
he naturally turned to the work in which his ancestors had achieved distinc- 
tion. However, a brief experience with sea-faring duties convinced him that 
his tastes did not lie in that direction, and later he entered the railroad service, 
in which he has been signally successful. Almost continuously since 1880 he 
has held the responsible position of engineer on the Central Pacific Railroad 
and has been the efficient incumbent of an important post entrusted with 
the lives and the safety of the passengers traveling along this route. Thor- 
oughness, skill and efficiency have won for him a high place in the list of the 
company's employes and have given him the confidence of the traveling 
public. 

Born in San Francisco in 1857, William K. Gedge received a public school 
education and later took a course of training in St. Augustine's Military Acad- 
emy at Benicia, from which he was graduated in 1874. Meanwhile he often 
accompanied on long voyages his father, Capt. George Gedge. The latter 
was born in Yarmouth, England, and served as captain in the British navy 
until he resigned his commission and came to California around the Horn in 
1847. He was commodore in the Pacific Mail line, a prominent sea captain, 
and a man possessing a wide knowledge concerning ocean vessels. The pa- 
ternal grandfather, Admiral John Gedge, was a graduate of the naval college 
at Plymouth, where he rose to the rank of admiral, and was considered the 
bravest officer in George IV's navy. With such ancestry as this the young 
graduate of the military school naturally turned toward kindred pursuits and 
we find him working with the Pacific Steamship Company as a member of 
the crew of the steamer New World. After a year he entered the employ of 
Pope & Talbert, the largest lumber company on the coast, and for three 
years he continued in their yards. Leaving that position he formed the firm 
of Barnes & Gedge, proprietors of a planing mill and manufacturers of lumber, 
at Oakland, and this industry he superintended until 1878, when he sold out 
his interest in the business. During January of 1879 he became a fireman on 
the Central Pacific Railroad, and in December of 1880 he was promoted to 
be engineer, which position he has since held continuously with the exception 
of the years 1906-07-08, when he acted as road foreman of engineers. Again, 
in October, 1911, he was appointed to the position of road foreman of engi- 



HISTORY OK SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 415 

neers. but resigned December 1, 1911, as it took him away from home too 
much, and he resumed his old rim between Vallejo and Suisun. 

The marriage of Mr. Gedge and Miss Adah M. Rhorer, a native of Louisi- 
ana, occurred in 1882. The family residence stands at No. l >42 York street, 
Vallejo. Three children came to brighten the home, but death removed a 
beloved son. while the daughters have gone into homes of their own. leaving 
Mr. and Mrs. Gedge again alone. Their elder daughter. Ellen J., is living in 
Vallejo, where her husband, Henry J. Wedenmann, holds a position as super- 
visor from the second district and also occupies a prominent business post. 

The younger daughter, Susan M.. has a pleasant home at Lake Charles, La., 
where her husband. Arthur L. Gayle, is a member of the firm of Kelly, Weber 
& ( o. The only son. Jonathan R.. died in 1909 at the age of fifteen years, while 
he was a student in the Vallejo high school. 

Organizations and movements for mutual benefit receive the stanch co- 
operation of Mr. Gedge. who at this writing is president of the Samoset Hall 

Association of Vallejo. and holds a prominent connection with the local coun- 
cil oi the Brotherhood i^i Locomotive Engineers. Among the fraternal asso- 
ciations oi which he is an active member are the Independent Order of For- 
esters, the Samoset Tribe of Red Men No. 22 and Naval Lodge No. 87, F. & 
A. M.. at Vallejo. The welfare of his home town receives his sympathetic 
support. No citizen has evinced a keener public spirit than he, and as city 
trustee in 1885-86-87 he gave efficient help to the material upbuilding of the 
town and to the expansion of its commercial interests. 



JOHN WESLEY LAMBERT. 

In the upper Suisun valley, within the limits of Napa county, John Wesley 
Lambert was born in 1856, and was one year old when his parents removed 
to Solano county. On reaching school age, he went to the public institutions 
of the county in which he resided, remaining therein until seventeen years old. 
Asa young man he worked on a farm and tended stock until he was twenty- 
four years of age. but as the work was not congenial he determined to launch 
out for himself and work on his own account. As a result of this determina- 
tion he now owns one hundred and ten acres of as good grain land as one 
could desire, in Suisun valley, and forty-five acres of fruit land near Fairfield; 
twenty-five acres in pears and the balance pasture. He has also found stock 
dealing very remunerative and to his liking and at the present time he is 
engaged in this vocation. 

Mr. Lambert was married in Fairfield, October 26, 1880, to Miss Lovey 
Chadbourne, a native of the Suisun valley, and the daughter of Joseph and 
Ruth Annie (Hobbs) Chadbourne, natives of Maine. The father came to 
California in 1850. but subsequently returned to Maine, and after his marriage 
again came to California. He followed farming and horticulture in Suisun, 
and here he and his wife died. To Mr. and Mrs. Lambert six children were 
born, of whom five are now living, as follows: Edna, who became the wife 
of Hardy Wright, and now resides in Fairfield; Pearl, who became the wife 
of Clyde Wright, of Cement; Hazel, attending the Rio Vista Academy; 
Charles A., attending the Armejo high school of Fairfield; and Blanche, also 
attending school at Fairfield. Mr. Lambert's father, Wesley Lambert, was 
bnrn in Kentucky and first came to California across the plains in 1848 in an 
ox-train. He died in Mendocino county in January. 1899. His wife, Dennda 
(Berger) Lambert, w r as born in Iowa, and died at the age of sixty-five years. 

Mr. Lambert is a member of Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M.. and 
politically is a Democrat. Having spent the most of his life in Solano county 
it is no wonder that we find Mr. Lambert a man well liked and respected. 
Moreover, he is a man who delights to see things move along in the right 
direction, and he supports everything to this end. 



416 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

WILLIAM HUNTER. 

The two coasts of this continent furnish the scene for the life of William 
Hunter. He was born in Pictou county, Nova Scotia, in 1841, and was reared 
there, gaining his early schooling and learning the trade of blacksmith, which 
he followed for some time prior to coming to California in 1869. At that 
time he settled at Hills Ferry, above Stockton, and in 1870 he came to Napa, 
being employed in the blacksmith shop of A. W. Norton for one year. Having 
acquired sufficient capital, at the end of this time he opened a shop of his own 
in January, 1871, on First street, the present site of the Globe theater, and 
there he conducted business for many years. Giving up the business in 1888, 
he took up ranching as a means of livelihood, on forty-five acres' of unimproved 
land, which he purchased, five miles north of Napa, and engaged in horticul- 
ture. He put the property under a high state of cultivation and has made a 
success of the undertaking because of his thrift and application. He erected 
a good set of buildings on the place and planted prune and peach trees,, from 
which he has received many fine crops of fruit. In 1906 he made an especially 
fine record, securing seventy-five tons of dried prunes from twenty-five acres 
of land. These prunes sold for $60 per ton, making a gross return of $4500. 
In 1907 he sold this splendid ranch and took up his residence in Napa, where 
for one year he was associated with Fisher & Tool in the canning business. 
He was afterward actively associated with the Napa Canning Company, and 
is at present engaged in the real estate business. 

Mr. Hunter is a Mason and an Elk, and is held in high regard in the 
community. His life is an example of success attained because of progressive 
thrift and constant application to the task in hand, as well as an enthusiasm 
and uprightness in the doing of the same. In 1862 he was married to Miss 
Annie F. Kitchin, also a native of Nova Scotia. They had two children : Ida, 
wife of E. H. Winship, of Napa, and W. C. Hunter, who died in Napa in May, 
1911. 

Mr. Hunter has been a resident of Napa for forty-one years, and has been 
closely identified with the growth and improvement of the county, hence he 
is well qualified for the real estate business, and his years of experience make 
him well fitted to judge land values. 



CAPT. ANDREW KNUDSEN. 

There are many mariners from the "Land of the Midnight Sun" who 
have achieved success in the transportation business on the Pacific coast and 
on San Francisco bay, and among them mention is due Andrew Knudsen, 
who was born near Aalsund, Norway, November 2, 1830. Left an orphan 
at the age of five years and the second youngest in a family of six children, 
his educational advantages were limited and he is truly a self-made man in 
every sense of the term. In the seaport town where he was reared the prin- 
cipal occupation of the male inhabitants was following the sea. At the age 
• of nine years he boarded a sailing vessel in the coast lumber trade and in 
time became cook. The captain of the vessel was very kind to the orphan 
boy and favored him at every opportunity. When he had reached the age 
of seventeen years he secured a position on board a sailing vessel in the coast- 
ing trade, his wages to be $2 per month, but he was kept out for eighteen 
months, and when he was paid off the captain allowed him only $18 for the 
entire time. He was next aboard a vessel trading with France and the Iberian 
peninsula under Captain Juul. Later he was employed on the Esmeralda at 
$5 a month, in the East Indian trade, going to Singapore and Hongkong, 
and touching at various other ports. After being out eighteen months the 
vessel was wrecked off the coast of the East Indies, and all he secured for 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND X\r\ COUNTIES 



417 



tins time was an English sovereign. He next shipped aboard an English 
sel, the Serbrevius, engaged in the East Indian trade, under Captain Apple 

ton, at S17. 50 per month. Mrs. Appleton was also aboard the ship and both 

the captain and his wife were kind to him. and here he obtained his Inst les- 
sons iti English from Mrs. Appleton. who took an especial interest in him. 
We next rind him aboard the American ship Resolute, again touching at 
familiar ports in the Indian ocean. Coming to New York with a cargo of 
tea from China in 1855 (this being the first time he had set foot on American 
soil), he left the vessel and went aboard the Black Warrior for San Francisco, 
via Cape Horn, landing in that city January 8. 1856. with $2 in his pocket, and 
this he generously divided with a ehum. This shortage necessitated his going 
to work at once. He found employment on the brig Fawn, on a trip to the 
Umpqua river, and on hi- return to San Francisco he went on the lumber 
sloop Jilt bound for N'apa. arriving in April. 1856. Continuing on this vessel 
for eighteen months he then purchased a half interest and later became sole 
owner, running her as a freighter for about six years, when he sold out and 
built the small schooner Napa City, and used her successfully in the lumber 
trade for a number of years, when he sold her. He next built the City of 
Xapa. >>i seventy-two ton-, and ran her in the bay and the coast trade until 
she was l"-t off the coast of Oregon. The H. II. Knapp. a schooner of one 
hundred tons, was his next venture in shipbuilding, and after running her in 
the same trade for three years he sold her. Six months later she was also 
lost off the coast of Westport, Cal.. since which time the captain has lived 
retired at his home No. 11 Division -treet. Xapa. 

Captain Knudsen was married in San Francisco to Miss Elizabeth Long. 
a native ><i Bavaria, and they had four children: Louisa and Charles, both 
deceased: Maggie, Mrs. Stoddard, of Xapa: and Eva C, a resident of San 
Francisco. This loving wife and mother passed away at their home in Xapa 
in 1878. The captain is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, holding membership in 
the lodges in Xapa. Since settling in Napa he has made two trips back to his 
old home in Norway, and during his experience on the sea he has rounded 
the Cape of Good Hope four times and Cape Horn once. To him Xapa is 
indebted for much of her growth and prosperity, for he was the cause of 
making low rates for transporting the products of this fertile valley to the 
metropolis, thus inducing settlement throughout Xapa county. 



GEORGE W'AKERLEY. 

After a career covering many years in which he has lived on two con- 
tinents, followed different callings and spent much time in ranching on a 
large scale with much success. George Wakerley has retired from active ranch 
life and now lives in his comfortable home in Napa. He has now reached an 
age attained by few. yet he is active and well preserved, with mental faculties 
as keen and alert as those possessed by many men his juniors in point of years. 
Of English birth and parentage, he was born in Nottingham, on the border of 
"Robin Hood's forest." August 21. 1830, and spent the first few years of his 
life in that country, there learning the trade of butcher. At the age of nine- 
teen he left England and in 1849 came to America, readily finding employment 
at his trade in Rochester. X. Y. From there he went to [ronton, Ohio, and 
was engaged in the butcher business for a time, after which he moved to 
Hawesville. Hancock county. Ky.. and was engaged at his trade for several 
years. The last two years spent in Kentucky ho was employed in the manu- 
facture of coal oil from cannel coal, in Greenup county. Feeling that Cali- 
fornia was the place for a young man to succeed, a- it was just opening up, 
he came hither in 1861 via the Panama route and spent some time mining in 



418 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Calaveras and Amador counties, and conducted a hotel near Mokelumne Hill. 
He afterward went to Solano county and engaged in ranching near Vallejo 
for five years. Coming to Napa county in 1874, he bought one hundred acres on 
the Big Ranch road, paying $100 per acre cash, four miles north of Napa. 
For thirty-five years he ranched on this fine property and in 1907 he moved 
into Napa and retired from the activities that had held him so long. As a 
man of prosperity and honor he is well known throughout this vicinity. 

Mr. Wakerley was married in Ohio, May 4, 1854, to Miss Mary Marton, 
who was born in Newcastle on Tyne, England, November 4, 1837, and to this 
union were born nine children, six of whom are alive: Margaret, wife of John 
Brownlie, of Vallejo; Annie, wife of D. Ross; Robert; Elizabeth, wife of 
M. F. Jones, of San Francisco ; Mary E., wife of James Andreds ; and George 
A., who is on the old home ranch. Those deceased are John, Ruth and 
William. 

In 1904 Mr. and Mrs. Wakerley celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of 
their wedding. The function took place on the ranch that had been their 
home together for so many years, and was attended by children, grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren. There are fourteen grandchildren and five great- 
grandchildren. This golden wedding anniversary attracted much attention 
around Napa, for it is not very often that two people live together in such 
harmony, peace and felicity as have Mr. and Mrs. Wakerley. 



CHRISTIAN BRUBACHER. 

No nationality has been more helpful in the material development of 
America than that which is represented by the Teutonic race. Almost invar- 
iably they have exhibited qualities of economy, thrift, unceasing perseverance 
and forceful determination that are of the greatest importance in the early 
growth as well as in the subsequent progress of any country. The charac- 
teristics evinced by Mr. Brubacher in his farming operations are those for 
which his countrymen are famed the world over and it is to their exercise 
that his high standing as an agriculturist may be attributed. Throughout 
the Napa valley, where he has made his home for a long period, he is regarded 
as a man of irreproachable character and a high ideal of citizenship. While 
his inclinations have not turned his thoughts or ambitions toward political 
affairs, he is familiar with the issues of the age and possesses an intimate 
acquaintance with the problems faced by the government and by our own state. 

Mr. Brubacher was born in Bavaria in 1853. During boyhood he attended 
the excellent schools of his native country. Leaving Germany in 1868 he 
came to America and settled in New York, where for four years he was an 
apprentice to the trade of a cabinet-maker and later he followed the occupa- 
tion for one year in Philadelphia. When he came to California in 1873 the 
railroad was in operation and he had the privilege of crossing, the continent 
in a more comfortable fashion than the emigrants of early days had enjoyed. 
After his arrival in the west he came to the Napa valley and secured employ- 
ment as a farm hand, working for wages on various ranches. In the spring of 
1879 he returned to the east and resumed work at his trade, but an absence of 
six months from California convinced him that it surpassed other states in 
opportunities for young men. Accordingly he returned hither the same year 
and settled again in the Napa valley, where with his brother-in-law, Mr. 
Benhart, he rented a large tract of ranch land. 

Upon the dissolution of the partnership, Mr. Brubacher rented a ranch 
of one hundred and fifty acres two miles north of Napa and here he has made 
his home for twenty-eight years, meanwhile developing the land into a pro- 
ductive and remunerative estate. Six acres are planted to French prunes of 



HISTORY OF SOLAXO WD NAPA COCNT1FS 



421 



superior quality and from this orchard he has taken as high as forty tons oi 
fruit yearly. En addition to the prunes, the farm has the oldest apple orchard 
in the entire \ alley. Hay and grain also are raised on the place and in addi- 
tion Mr. Brubacher cuts considerable hay from his meadow of thirty-three 
acres, which he owns in another part of the \ alley. In his thrifty efforts to 
attain independence he has enjoyed the practical assistance of his wife, whom 
he married in Philadelphia and who was Miss Johanna Graue. a native of 
Hanover. Germany. Though cherishing a fond memory of his native land. 
Mr. Brubacher is a loyal citizen of his adopted country and is especially 
stanch in his devotion to California, which he regards as the garden spot of 
the world and the place combining the greatest advantages of soil and climate 
to be found in any land. The Fraternal Brotherhood has the advantage of 
his membership and financial contributions, but as a rule he cares little for 
secret societies, nor has he been deeply interested in politics, his tastes leading 
him to prefer the quiet round oi farm duties and the contentment derived from 
a cozy home and faithful friends. 



PETER ANDERSON. 

A marked contrast is noticeable between Mr. Anderson's circumstances 
forty-five years ago and at the present time, for whereas he came to this 
country with practically nothing as material wealth is measured, he is today 
one of the largest ranchers and most influential citizens in Collinsville, or 
indeed in that section of Solano county. Generations of the Anderson family 
had accomplished their life work and passed away in Denmark, and there it 
was that Peter Anderson gained the physical and moral start in life that made 
sible the accomplishments of his later years. He was born in Odense, 
Fyen, January 12. 1845. the son of parents who gained their livelihood as 
farmers, and he unconsciously imbibed a knowledge of agriculture that was 
invaluable to him. During his youth he was given the advantages of the 
common schools near his home in Odense. and later gave his services to his 
father in the management of the home farm, the two continuing together until 
the son reached mature years, when he set out for the United States, having 
in the meantime determined that his native land was not able to give him the 
opportunity for expansion that he felt his ability warranted. 

The year 1866 found him in Illinois, about six miles west of Chicago, 
where he was employed on a farm for about one year. The following year 
he started for California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and in Marin 
county, where he first located, he worked on farms, and in 1872 came to Solano 
county. For about two years he worked on a ranch near Rio Vista, and then, 
feeling justified in assuming the responsibilities, he returned to Denmark to 
claim his promised wife in Miss Christiane Matsen, a native of Denmark and 
the daughter of a well-to-do farmer in that country, their marriage occurring 
May 22. 1874. The wedding journey of the young pe< 'pie consisted of a vovage 
to the United States, coming direct to Solano county. Cal.. where Mr. Ander- 
son bought the farming equipment from Dr. Connelly and put his utensils and 
strength to work on a part of the Toland ranch, which he leased. During the 
years which he remained on this ranch he was enabled to accumulate sufficient 
means to purchase a ranch of his own, and no one could be more proud than 
was he when in 1880 he became the possessor of six hundred and forty acres 
of the Toland ranch. From time to time he purchased more land, and now 
he has twenty-three hundred and sixty acre-, some of which adjoin- the 
Jnal purchase, and the remainder near by. Three hundred and sixty acres 
of the land is tide and used for pasturage, while the remaining land, or two 
thousand acres, is in crrain. he himself cultivating seventeen hundred and 

21 



422 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

twenty acres, while the remaining acreage is leased for grain farming. While 
the raising of grain forms Mr. Anderson's chief industry, a considerable profit 
is realized from the raising of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. This well- 
improved ranch lies about six miles northeast from Collinsville, and is one of 
the most productive and remunerative in this section of Solano county, and 
in comparison with standards that prevail in Denmark might in truth be called 
a principality. 

No children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, but 
their love and affection have been given unstintingly to an adopted son, 
Andrew C. Anderson, the oldest son of Mr. Anderson's brother, Hans Ander- 
son. The marriage of Andrew C. Anderson united him with Mabel Currie, 
and they have two children, Idel and Donna. For all that he has been able 
to accomplish since coming to California, Mr. Anderson shares the credit with 
his wife, who has indeed been a helpmate and the inspiration of all that he 
has undertaken. Both are Lutherans in their religious belief, and in politics 
Mr. Anderson is a Republican. Not only is he recognized as the pioneer 
grain farmer in this section of the county, and consequently looked upon as 
an upbuilder and benefactor, but his personal traits are such as to win and 
hold the respect of all who know him, and no one can be brought in contact 
with him without feeling the influence of his strong, wholesome character. 



JOHN S. SHERBURNE. 

The history of the Sherburne family is traced to the far-off state of Maine, 
which has been the home of at least three generations, and there, in Milo, 
Piscataquis county, John S. Sherburne was born, March 30, 1872. His par- 
ents. Charles F. and Delia (Collins) Sherburne, were also born and reared in 
that New England state, where the father, a carpenter and builder by trade, 
followed this calling for a livelihood with more or less success for many years. 
When he came to California in 1876 to try his luck in the newer country he 
left his wife and family in the east. Going directly to Oakland, he readily 
found work at his trade and at the end of three years was sufficiently satisfied 
with prospects in the west to send for his family to join him. Mr. Sherburne 
made his home at Oakland and continued work at his trade there for a num- 
ber of years after his family came west, but later entered the employ of the 
Southern Pacific railroad, becoming foreman of the car-repairing department 
at Lathrop, San Joaquin county. He continued in this position until he retired 
from active business life. He then returned to San Francisco and it was in 
his home there that his earth life came to a close. His widow still makes her 
home in that city. 

John S. Sherburne was the eldest of the four children born to his parents 
and was about seven years of age when with his mother he made the journey 
from Maine to California. Educated in the schools of Oakland, he later 
became familiar with the carpenter's trade through helping his father when- 
ever his services could be employed. However, circumstances tended to turn 
his efforts in another direction and ever since entering the employ of the 
Southern Pacific railroad, May 1, 1890, he has remained in the employ of the 
company in one capacity or another. In Lathrop he was employed as shop- 
man and fireman for a time, but later was transferred to the Bakersfield shops, 
where he was a fireman, and still later to Sacramento and finally to Oakland. 
Tt was while firing on the Oakland division that he was promoted to engineer, 
September 1, 1901. With an experience of seven years to his credit he came 
to Suisun in November. 1908, and for about two years ran engines from this 
point. The estimation in which he was held by his superiors was shown 
when, in June, 1910, he was given more responsible duties, being made foreman 
of the round house, which duties he combined with those of engineer, his usual 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUNTIES 



423 



run being to Shellville and return. The round house at Suisun has a capacity 
for stalling from four to nine engines. Mr. Sherburne lias been exceptionally 
fortunate in his railroad career, and his efficiency and alertness have been duly 
recognized and placed to the besl advantage, both for his own and the com- 

nany's interest. 

Mr. Sherburne's marriage, in San Rafael, Cal., April 2(>, 1896, united him 
with Miss Minnie Dawley, a native daughter oi the state, and two children 
have been born to them. Delia and Errol. Mr. Sherburne was made a Mason 
in Benicia Lodge No. 5. F. & A. M.. also belongs to Benicia Chapter No. 7, 
R. A. M.. and was raised to the Knights Templar degree in Golden Gate Com- 
manderv No. 16, K. T.. oi San Francisco, lie i- also a member of the Brother- 
hood oi Locomotive Engineers, I. eland Stanford Division No. 283. at Oakland. 
Mis political sympathies are in favor oi Republican candidates, and in national 
elections he votes for the candidates oi that party, but in local elections he 
gives his preference to the man of the highest principles, regardless of the 
party supporting him. 



SARCHEL WOLFSKILL. 

Descended from a pioneer ancestry that gradually forced their way from 
the eastern settlements through countless perils to the valley of the Mississippi 
and aided in the material upbuilding oi the central commonwealths, the gen- 
tleman whose name introduces this article was born in Howard county. Mo., 
February IS. ISIS. The environment of the frontier was familiar to his 
youthful gaze. The free school had not yet been introduced, but occasionally 
a subscription school was started and the children of the neighborhood had 
such advantages as it offered. 

A long devotion to pioneer agriculture, beginning when he was a small 
boy. kept Mr. Wolfskill closely at home until the outbreak of the Mexican 
war. when he enlisted as a private soldier under General Doniphan and went 
to the front, remaining until peace was declared. On his return to Missouri 
he often alluded to the rich soil and fine possibilities of much of the country 
through which he had traveled as a soldier. The discovery of gold in Cali- 
fornia deepened a purpose that since the war had lingered in his mind. He 
decided to remove to the western coast, but it was not until early in 1852 that 
it was possible for him to start. Meanwhile he had disposed of his property, 
sold oft his personal effects and with his wife and children started for Cali- 
fornia, coming by the Nicaragua route. Mrs. Wolfskill rode an old mule and 
carried her infant from the lake to the Pacific ocean. Seven weeks slowly 
parsed as the little family waited for a steamer to take them to San Francisco. 
The steamer they had tickets for was lost and did not appear. Meanwhile the 
-el. Americo. from near Acapulco, sent a small craft to their aid, but they 
could not board the barque, nor did they care to travel on the sailing vessels 
that passed. -" they waited for a steamship. Finally they landed at San Fran- 
cisco from the steamer Independence, that was wrecked and lost on the return 
voyage. 

The journey had not been without its touch of deep personal sorrow, for 
while they were detained at the isthmus one of their children, the boy Milton, 
sickened and died. The little body was buried there, but the memory of the 
losl child has ever been precious to its mother and in the midst of the happi- 

- of the later years she has never forgotten that heart-breaking bereave- 
ment. In the first of June. 1X52. the family arrived in Solano county, joining 
his brother, John Wolfskill, who generously ^ave him a gift of twelve hundred 
acres of land. On this spot he spent his remaining year-: :in( \ | 1crc he f ]j c ,i m 
1878. leaving to the widow the property they had labored to improve with 
united effort and untiring industry. For fifty-seven year- Mrs. Wolfskill has 



424 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



lived at the same place and her comfortable cottage stands within twenty-five 
feet of the primitive structure that housed their early years on the farm. The 
homestead comprises over five hundred acres and is rented, but Mrs. Wolfskill 
and her daughter, Sallie, occupy the residence and also keep a few head of 
stock in the barns and pastures. Twenty acres of the farm are in fruits of the 
choicest varieties. For years a vineyard of one hundred and fifty acres proved 
a source of great profit, but the industry finally languished, the vines were 
removed and gave place to other products. 

It was during 1849 in Missouri that Miss Margaret Cooper, who was born 
near Fayette, Howard county, that state, became the bride of the young 
farmer who recently had returned from the Mexican war. They became the 
parents of twelve children, of whom Milton, Stephen and Elizabeth are 
deceased. Joseph married Sarah Bollinger and has six children. John, who 
is a resident of Winters, married Birdie Cooper and they have three daughters 
and one son. William, who resides in Solano county, chose Frances Foster 
as his wife and they have one daughter. Barnett, living in Alameda, married 
Mildred Fowler and they have two children. Mattie M., Sallie, Mollie, Nellie 
and Ruth are the daughters now living and of these Sallie remains at home, 
ministering to the comfort of her mother's old age. Mollie, Mrs. Charles M. 
Cooper, of Solano county, has six children ; Mrs. Nellie Ish is the mother ot 
eight children ; and Ruth, Mrs. William Gregory, of Oakland, has one child. 
Mrs. Wolfskill is in receipt of the usual pension paid to widows of Mexican 
war veterans. In religion she has been in sympathy with the doctrines of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church and has contributed to its missionary move- 
ments. Mr. Wolfskill likewise having been an earnest supporter of that denomi- 
nation. In fraternal connections he was a Mason and maintained a warm 
interest in the work of the blue lodge. The Democratic party received the 
steadfast allegiance of his youthful years and the era of manhood's .prime, but 
later he became so strong in his opposition to the sale of intoxicating liquors 
that he identified himself with the Prohibition party and from that time until 
his death he never faltered in his advocacy of temperance doctrines. 



BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CHRISTOPHER. 

The father of our subject, also Benjamin Franklin Christopher, was born 
in Tennessee and came to California in 1854. Here he made his home for 
nearly fifty years, passing away in 1902. His wife, Nana (Griffin) Christopher, 
had died in 1894. Benjamin F. Christopher was born in 1860, in Potter's 
valley. Mendocino county, and he possesses all those characteristics that made 
bis parents loved of all who knew them. 

For fourteen years Mr. Christopher remained in his native county and 
then he removed south to Los Angeles county with his parents. But as he 
loved the rugged pasture land and the fertile valleys of the north he returned 
to Mendocino county and thence, in 1876, to Solano county, settling in the 
Lagoon valley, where the father purchased one hundred and forty acres of 
land, about seventeen acres of this being tillable. He first engaged in grain 
and stock raising, and later became interested in horticulture. Besides 
the land mentioned he also owns fifty-five acres about three miles west of 
Vacaville. For the past twenty-two years he has been engaged in the fruit- 
growing business, raising peaches, apricots and prunes. He also raises all 
the stock that he uses on his land and in the busy season he employs about' 
ten men to assist him. Mr. Christopher has served on the school board for 
the last fifteen years. He belongs to no fraternal orders, but is ever ready to 
assist in every social function that will promote the interests of the commu- 
nity in which he lives. 

During 1890 Mr. Christopher was married to Miss Edna Towson, a native 




/JXTluO? >&uidL O/PtscZ/j-f <^t-c^V / 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAIW OHWTIKS 427 

of Solano county ami the daughter of \\ . B. and Mary E. (Starks) Towson, 
wlu> are represented in tins work. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Christopher, of whom four arc living: Ralph, employed in Vacaville; Ellis, 
attending the Vacaville high school; Vernon, attending the Lagoon grammar 
school: and Gerald. Mr. Christopher is a Republican and is always read) i" 
aid any movemenl that has For its object the upbuilding of the county. 



TOHN BIRD. 



A prosperous landowner and rancher of Bird's Landing, Cal., John Bird 
is a man who is well known and one who has been actively engaged with the 
building up of the state for more than fifty years. His name is synonymous 
with all that is good and true and noble and progressive. He has gained a 
reputation for honesty of dealing that is not excelled by many in this part of 
the state. He was born in Marcellus, Onondaga county. X. Y., in 1837, a son 
y^i Henry Bird, a native of England, who had come to America when a boy 
and who died when his son John was only five years old. Reared on a ranch, 
the son received his education in the public schools, and when not in school 
was busily engaged as a farm hand. On October 5, 1859, then young and 
exceedingly ambitious, he left his native state and started on the journey to 
California, via the Isthmus. His companion in travel was George Eustis, 
now residing near Woodland, Cal. Arriving in San Francisco, Mr. Bird did 
not spend very much time in that city, but went to Santa Rosa, where he 
secured work as a helper in building for two months, afterwards removing 
to Sonoma mines and then to Sacramento. Here he went into the dairying 
business at the place then called the Norris grant, and remained there until 
November, 1865. In that year he came to Bird's Landing and bought nine 
hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he commenced a farming and 
dairying business. Four years later, in 1869, he built the first wharf and 
warehouse in the place that now bears his name. The progress of the town 
was then assured, for in 1875 a store was started, and later a postoffice, and 
the official name of Bird's Landing was given to the place. In 1871 Mr. Bird 
built a blacksmith's shop, the first one to be built this side of Suisun, and in 
1880 he purchased the store that had been started before this time, and now 
owns all the buildings at Bird's Landing. 

In 1869 Mr. Bird was united in marriage with Emily Hargrave, a native 
of Illinois, and to this union there were born five sons, as follows: Henry, 
of Suisun: Walter C. a farmer at Bird's Landing; Albert S., a horticulturist 
near Winters; John. Jr.. and E. G., proprietors of a general merchandise store 
at Bird's Landing. To Air. Bird belongs the distinction of being the first to 
commence the dairy business in Solano county, having demonstrated many 
years ago that this industry would pay well, if conducted rightly. Air. Bird 
raises grain on the balance of his land, now devoting four hundred and seventy- 
five acres to this purpose. He is a man that is active in school matters, 
believing in giving to the young of the land the best possible educational 
advantages. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the board of school 
trustees, and has also been clerk of the board during this period. For one 
term he served as justice of the peace, and under AfcKinley's administration 
he served as postmaster of Bird's Landing until he resigned. He is a man 
well liked and respected. His mother died in Xew York state at the age of 
eighty years. An elder brother of Air. Bird. Henry, came to California and 
was associated with him in the store at Bird's Landing. He was an old Civil 
war veteran and died in 1901. Politically Air. Bird is a Republican and is 
ever ready to assist in everything that has for its object the improvement of 
the county or community. 



428 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ROBERT FRANCIS WILLIAMS. 

By reason of his thorough understanding of the occupation to which he 
has given his attention for a number of years, Mr. Williams is one of the most 
successful horticulturists in Solano county. On a ranch of two hundred and 
thirty-two acres about eight miles north of Suisun, the property of his mother, 
he has a showing of healthy fruit trees, and in addition to this he is engaged 
in buying and feeding about two hundred head of cattle annually, the gross 
receipts of his combined efforts showing an income of $6,000. 

A native son of the state, Robert F. Williams was born in Sacramento 
county, June 10, 1869, the son of Robert and Maria (Ellard) Williams, a 
sketch of whom appears in another page in this work. When he was seven 
years old his parents moved into the Suisun valley, Solano county, and in the 
schools there he completed his education. After his school days were over he 
continued on the home farm aiding his father until his death, later working 
for his mother, and of late years he has had the management of the place for 
his mother, who makes her home in Suisun. The ranch comprises two hun- 
dred and thirty-two acres, of which about sixty acres are in orchard, including 
all varieties of fruit and nuts, and the remainder of the land is in pasture and 



In 1896 Robert F. Williams and Miss Mattie J. Gosling were united in 
marriage. She was born in Berryessa valley, Napa county, the daughter of 
Caleb Gosling and his wife, both natives of England. (A sketch of their lives 
may be found elsewhere in this volume.) Two children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Williams, Francis E., born June 10, 1901, and now a student in the school 
in Suisun valley, and Winnifred. Politically Mr. Williams is a Republican, 
and fraternally he is identified with Suisun Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F., and he 
and his wife are identified with the affiliated order of Rebekahs. Among the 
citizens of Suisun there is none more progressive and public spirited, and none 
who enjoys more thoroughly the good will and confidence of his community 
than Robert F. Williams. 



THADDEUS EDGAR PECKINPAH. 

A native of Illinois, Thaddeus Edgar Peckinpah was born in 1848, and in 
1852 was brought to California across the plains by his parents. They first 
settled in Alexander valley, Sonoma county, and in 1864 moved to Petaluma, 
where Mr. Peckinpah supplemented his grammar school education by attend- 
ing the Petaluma high school. He belonged to Company D, C. G. In 1871 he 
went to Guerneville, where he aided his brother-in-law in his lumber mill. 
In 1885 he located a number of people on timber claims in Fresno county, 
where, in company with his brother, C. M., he built a sawmill, spending his 
summers at the mill and his winters in improving the home which he had 
purchased in Napa county. He maintained his interest in Fresno county until 
1903, when he sold out all his holdings there and retired to the "Napa Valley 
Home." 

In 1893 Mr. Peckinpah identified himself with the advancing interests of 
Napa county by moving to the vicinity of the celebrated Napa Soda Springs, 
where he purchased ninety-one acres of land overlooking the Napa valley, 
giving a splendid view of the valley, probably the finest to be obtained in the 
county. When this place was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Peckinpah it was 
in the state in which nature had left it, but since that time many improvements 
have been made, making it an ideal residence location. Among other improve- 
ments was the planting of many shade trees, which today, after the hand that 
planted them has been laid low, wave their branches in the breeze. 

All of the time and attention of Mr. Peckinpah was not given to the 
advancement of his own personal interests. He devoted much of his ability 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 429 

and attention t<> the work of the Prohibition party, of which he was an 
enthusiastic member and an active worker. Not only to the temperance 

cause did he devote much time and energy, but to anv and all causes which 
appealed to him as being for the betterment of the community. It was said 
<>\ him when hi- death occurred in September, 1908, that because he had lived 
the world was better. Fraternally he was connected with Redwood Lodge, 

I. O. O. I-'., at Gucrneville. 

Mr. Peckinpah was married in San Francisco in ISSo to Lucy V ( liriggs) 
Raw son. a native <<i Middlehoro, Plymouth county. Mass., and a lineal 
descendant of Miles Standish. Mrs. Peckinpah is an artisl of some note, her 
home containing a number of fine paintings from her brush, and for some time 
-he has taughl painting in Lynch's Seminary at I'.enicia. As a close student 
<>i nature site has made a deep study of botany. She discovered three new 
varieties oi wild flowers that have been introduced into the department of 
botany at the University ni California and bear her name. Her painted col- 
lection of California wild dowers numbers over three hundred. She also takes 
a great interest in photography and has- many specimens of her skill, repre- 
senting views taken by her in different parts of the state. In her home may 
also be seen a fine collection of Indian baskets and curios and also a fine bed- 
spread that is more than one hundred years old. It came from Massachusetts 
and bears the record of colonial days and the period when George Washington 
was president. This specimen of art is in a perfect state of preservation and 
is highly valued by the owner. Needless to say, Mrs. Peckinpah has made 
many friends, who admire her not only for her ability, but also for her general 
■d qualities of mind and heart. 



CHARLES A. MURRAY. 

A native of Ireland. Charles A. Murray was born in County Derry, No- 
vember 5. 1846. and was educated in the public schools of his native land. 
Leaving home in 1860. he first located in Morrisburg, Canada, but after six 
months he went to DeKalb. St. Lawrence county, N. Y. With the opening 
of the Civil war he was eager to join the Union army, and as soon as accept- 
ance was possible he enlisted as a private. This was in 1862, when he was 
only about sixteen years of age. As a member of Company I. Eleventh New 
York Volunteer Cavalry, he served under Capt. W. H. Slosson, of Bingham- 
ton. X. Y.. and under Col. James B. Swayne, assigned to the army of the 
Potomac. The regiment took part in numerous skirmishes and several river 
expeditions. At the close of the Rebellion he was honorably discharged at 
Memphis, Tenn., in March of 1865, and at once started for the west. The 
young soldier secured employment with Caldwell & Co. in Kansas. 

From 1865 to 1868 Mr. Murray led a roving life and at times held posi- 
tions in Denver. Pueblo and at Gold Run near Leadville. Tiring at last of 
traveling from place to place and desiring to find a location where he would 
be content to remain permanently, he came on to California in 1868 and set- 
tled in Mendocino comity, later spending two year- in Sonoma county. From 
there he returned to Mendocino county, and married Miss Mary Murphy, 
who was born in Monmouthshire, Wale-. Nine children were born to them, 
namely: Martha. Mr-. Dunn: Elizabeth, Julia and Mary, all deceased; Archie 
and Charles K.. both of Oakland; Irene and Harold S.. both at home; and 
Jeanette, deceased. 

Coming from Mendocino to Solano county during 1900 Mr. Murray 
bought twenty-three acres near Winters and here he has since made his home. 
Eight acres of the farm are in apricots, three in almonds and the balance in 
peaches. The crops are large and yield a fair interest on the valuation of 
the property. 



430 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

OWEN H. BRANDON. 

Thoroughly persevering and progressive, Mr. Brandon fully merits the 
position of honor which he enjoys today, his faithful efforts and unquestioned 
ability having early won the recognition of his employers. His father, John 
Brandon, a miller by trade, emigrated with his family from Brooklyn, N. Y., 
in 1876 to San Francisco, Cal., where he resumed his trade, later removing to 
South Vallejo, where he became employed in the mill of Captain Starr, actively 
continuing his duties until 1888, when he met death in the explosion of the 
S. P. ferry boat Julia, en route to Crockett. His wife, formerly Miss Kate 
Tully, resides in South Vallejo in the family home on Fourth street, com- 
panioned by her only daughter, Mary. 

Owen H. Brandon, the only son in the family, was born October 27, 1874, 
in Brooklyn, N. Y., accompanying his parents two years later to California. 
Upon completion of his studies in the public schools of Vallejo he became a 
fireman on the Southern Pacific railroad, but after three years abandoned this 
field and entered the Starr mills as an apprentice. By virtue of his determi- 
nation and ambition he received steady promotion, finally becoming head 
miller in 1905, which position he has filled ever since. 

Politically an Independent, with broad and progressive principles, Mr. 
Brandon holds membership in Vallejo Council No. 874, Knights of Columbus, 
and Court Farragut, Foresters of America. A public spirited and popular 
citizen, he is deeply interested in both municipal and national reforms of merit 
and tenders practical aid in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the 
municipality. 



J. BAPTIST AND FELIX SALMINA. 

A share of the enterprise which is contributing to the maintenance of 
the prestige of Napa county as a pioneer of wines is vested in the F. Salmina 
Co., large wine manufacturers, at Larkmead, five miles from St. Helena. A 
concern which produces from one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand 
gallons of wine per annum must be regarded as an important industrial factor 
in the community and have much to do with disseminating knowledge of the 
extent of an industry destined to compare favorably with the most important 
wine-producing marts of the Old World. 

J. Baptist Salmina, who is now deceased, was born in Canton Ticino, 
Switzerland, December 18, 1835, and his nephew, Felix Salmina, now the 
head of the concern, was born in the same canton January 28, 1861. Before 
embarking upon this undertaking, J. Baptist Salmina was variously engaged 
in his adopted country, to which he came in a sailing vessel in 1857. He ar- 
rived in San Francisco in January, 1858, and soon afterward was employed 
in a vegetable garden near that city, remaining there three years. He next 
engaged in dairying on a farm five miles north of Napa, and here, as before, 
added to his resources through thrift and economy. Tiring of country life, 
he moved to St. Helena in 1878, purchased the William Tell hotel and con- 
ducted it until 1891, when he rented it. In 1893 he entered into partnership 
with his nephew, Felix Salmina, in the manufacture of wine, continuing it 
with unabated enthusiasm and zeal until his death, June 3, 1908. The busi- 
ness is continued by the corporation of which Felix Salmina is the manager, 
who displays unusual ability and liking for the business, which is bound to 
assume even greater proportions as the reputation of California wines is en- 
hanced. After years of patient development of the business they erected the 
present plant in 1906. 

The family of J. Baptist Salmina included his wife, Sabina Salmina, and 
three daughters, Katie, Severina and Mary. Mr. Salmina was a man of influ- 




^5^^^^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 133 

ence and was honored by his fellow citizens. From a financial and social 
standpoint he appeared to have realized the expectations which led him to 
declare citizenship under the Stars and Stripes. 

Pelix Salmina was scarcely nineteen years old when in 1880 lie joined his 

uncle in California, and he has ever since been identified with Napa valley. 
He has gained an enviable reputation as a practical business man, and in the 

manufacture of wine lias found an occupation for which he is eminently 
fitted, lie has a pleasant home in Larkmead. presided ovei by his wife, who 
was formerly Theresa Borla. a native of Canton Ticino and a daughter of 
Philip Borla. They have three children. Felix, Elmo and Regina. Felix 
Salmina is a stanch Republican, as might he expected of one who had once 
enjoyed the liberal government and splendid institution'- of Switzerland. 

After the death of J. Baptist Salmina the interests were incorporated as 
F. Salmina & Co.. with a capital stock of S75.000. Felix Salmina being presi- 
dent : Mrs. Sabina Salmina. secretary, and Mrs. Theresa Salmina a director. 
This company operate a large area consisting of thirty-six acres of vineyard 
at Larkmead; one hundred and twenty acres in Conn valley, of which thirty 
acres are in vineyard, and the place equipped with a wine cellar; and a vine- 
yard south of St. Helena. They also own the William Tell 1 lotcl and other 
property in St. Helena. Larkmead vineyard is the headquarters of the com- 
pany, located half way between St. Helena and Calistoga on the Southern 
Pacific Railroad, where they have made valuable improvements. In 1906 they 
built a large stone wine cellar and distillery. 100 x 120 feet, with a capacity 
of about half a million gallons, and with this space are able to age the wine 
to a degree that insures a large trade among the best customers. 



JOHN SULLIVAX. 

Not without justice is Mr. Sullivan credited with being one of the oldest 
and most extensive builders in Vallejo, evidence of which is vouched for in 
the statement that a goodly share of the business along this line in Vallejo 
and vicinity is transcated through his office, located at No. 816 Kentucky 
street. Tangible and substantial evidence of his thorough acquaintance with 
all phases of his profession is seen in the large number of structures which 
he has designed and erected, among which may be mentioned the Doyle and 
McEnernev apartment buildings, the residences of Mrssrs. Crystal, Brennan 
and Melvin. his own building on Kentucky street combining the comforts 
of home and the convenience of business. He also erected the Elks building, 
the additions to the Masonic building, the First National Bank and the Vallejo 
Commercial Bank, among the finest buildings in the city. 

On both sides of the family John Sullivan is descended from Irish an- 
cestors, his parents. John R. and Ellen (Kelly) Sullivan, both being natives 
of the Emerald Isle. Coming to the United States, the father apprenticed 
himself to learn the cotton mill business in Massachusetts, and subsequently 
was an employe in various cotton mills in the state. The year 1852 found 
him crossing the plains with ox-teams, the journey ending at Sacramento, 
Cal.. where he erected a home for his family and then set out for the mines. 
His mining ventures proved successful beyond the average for a number of 
years and his untimely death at the comparatively early age of fifty was tragic 
and sad in the extreme. In 1860. while returning fatigued from work in the 
mines after nightfall, he slipped and fell into a ravine. After the loss of the 
husband and father the family continued to live in the Sacramento home for 
many years, and there the earth life of the mother came to a close in 1903. 
when she was seventy-six years of age. She had become the mother of six 
children, but at her death only three were living. John and two daughters. 



434 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

John Sullivan was born in the Sacramento homestead December 6, 1856, 
and was therefore only four years of age when orphaned by the sudden death 
of his father. The privileges of the common school of Sacramento were en- 
joyed by Mr. Sullivan to a degree only, as at an early age he began his self- 
support by clerking in a store in his home town. Subsequently he went to 
San Francisco, where he secured employment in the wholesale grocery of his 
brother-in-law, Antone Schottler, and in time became a partner in the enter- 
prise. After six years in this association failing health made a change of 
occupation necessary, outdoor work being suggested by his physician as a 
more remedial agent than medicine. Following this suggestion, Mr. Sullivan 
undertook carpentering, and in 1898 located in Vallejo, where he entered 
the building business, and from this small beginning has developed the large 
contracting and building business which is now connected with his name. He 
was one of the organizers of the Builders' Exchange of Vallejo and has been 
president of the organization from the day of its inception. 

The marriage of John Sullivan and Margaret O'Brien was solemnized 
in Vallejo June 8, 1896, and five children have been born to them : Miriam C, 
Helen A., Julia G., Lillian J. and Frederick M. Mrs. Sullivan is a native of 
Vallejo, the daughter of Charles H. O'Brien, and she received a good educa- 
tion in the schools of the community, being a graduate of the Vallejo high 
school and the San Jose normal school. By right of his birth in the state 
Mr. Sullivan is eligible to membership in the Native Sons of the Golden West 
and is one of the charter members of San Francisco Parlor No. 49. Personally 
he is held in high esteem by those who are associated with him in any ca- 
pacity, and in 1907. his fellow citizens expressed their approval of him as a 
public servant by electing him to the office of city trustee, and he was serving 
as such when, in October, 1910, he was elected a member of the board of free- 
holders to frame the new city charter for the city of Vallejo. Being in favor 
of the commission form of government he worked diligently for its adoption. 
At the election in 1911 he was a candidate for commissioner, but was de- 
feated. Having introduced and passed an ordinance regulating the issuance of 
licenses where the individual or corporation would have the control of but 
one license was the cause of his defeat. Fraternally he is a member of Vallejo 
Lodge No. 559, B. P. O. E.. and Vallejo Council No. 874, Knights of Columbus. 



CHARLES F. HALL. 

■ 

By virtue of his adaptation and long experience in his chosen profession, 
Mr. Hall occupies today an important place among leading machinists, having 
for the past thirty-six years been in the employ of the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road Company, over twenty years of which period he has ably served as 
roundhouse foreman at various points. His father, Martin Hall, a native of 
Milford. N. H., and a blacksmith by trade, in 1868 came to San Francisco, Cal., 
where, until his death in that city in 1881, he served as superintendent of 
the Kimball Carriage Manufactory. His mother, formerly Susan Ober, also of 
Milford, N. H., passed away in Portland, Ore., in 1911, at the age of ninety- 
two. 

The only son among three children, Mr. Hall was educated in Milford, 
N. H., where his birth occurred October 20, 1843. At the age of seventeen 
he became a machinist's apprentice in North Chelmsford, Mass., later abandon- 
ing his work for a time for the purpose of recuperating his failing health, upon 
recovering which he resumed his trade in Chillicothe, Ohio. In 1869, however, 
having long desired to visit the west, he immigrated to San Francisco, Cal., 
via the Isthmus of Panama, immediately securing a position in the carriage 
factory superintended by his father. Later he engaged in the stock industry 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AM) NAPA COUNTIES 435 

in the Santa Clara valley near Gilroy, but had scarcely secured a fair start 
when the severe winter of 1875 caused all his sheep to perish. The Following 
year he entered the service of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at 
Tulare Cal., five years later being promoted to the position of general Fore 

man. In 1890, when the shops were mo\ e.l to l.akcrsticld. he was trans 
ferred to Fresno. Cal.. as roundhouse foreman, removing after eighteen 
months to Mendota, Cal., where he held a similar position For six months. 
From September, 1893, to July, 1907, he served as general foreman of the -hops 
in Oakland, Cal., removing thence to Vallejo, where he became foreman of 
the roundhouse, which position he still retains, and about 1909 he was also 
made car foreman. 

Mr. Hall was united in marriage in Chillicothe, Ohio, in November, 1868, 
with Mis< llattie F. Weller. who was horn in Montgomery, Ohio. Their one 
child. Percy \Y.. received his preliminary education in the public schools, 
later entering the University oi California, where he made an excellent record. 
being also chosen as captain of the University foothall team, which subse- 
quently, under his management, won the first game from Stanford. Me is 
now engaged in the contracting business in Oakland, in which field he has 
been most successful. 

In Chillicothe. Ohio, Mr. Hall became a member of Scioto Lodge. F. & 
A. M.. and of Chillicothe Chapter No. 4. R. A. M. He is now affiliated with 
Live Oak Lodge No. 61, F. & A. M., of Oakland. A life-long Republican, 
still fresh in his memory is the day when he cast his first presidential ballot 
for Ahraham Lincoln, in 1864. Public spirited and generous, he is known as 
one of Vallejo's best citizens, whose interest in the welfare of the municipality 
in general never flags. 



JAMES ALFRED GREENWOOD. 

\ member of the well-known and honored family of Greenwood, which 
for many years has been identified with the development of Vallejo, J. A. 
Greenwood is a successful business man as well as a prominent shipsmith in 
the Mare Island navy yard, serving also as the efficient president of the board 
of directors of the estate left by his father, Capt. Hugh Greenwood, who is 
represented on another page in this work. James A. Greenwood was born 
November 16, 1864, in Vallejo, next to the oldest of a family of nine, seven 
of whom are living. Upon conpleting his studies in the Vallejo high school 
at the age of seventeen, and after taking an examination he was appointed an 
apprentice to the shipsmith's trade in the Mare Island navy yard. Completing 
his tride. when he arrived at the age of twenty-one he became a blacksmith in 
the El Paso shops of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and later for 
ten months engaged as a locomotive fireman for the same company, running 
out of El Paso. Subsequently he was appointed assistant master mechanic 
of the Texas Pacific Railroad at Sierra Blanca, Tex. Upon his return to San 
Francisco he filled a position as blacksmith in the Pacific Rolling mills for 
about a year, when he resumed his position as shipsmith in the navy yard at 
Mare Island. On January 1. 1904. he sailed to the Philippines, where he took 
charge of the shipsmith shop at the Cavite navy yard, having been appointed 
master shipsmith of that yard by the secretary of the navy. After four years 
and six months he resigned his duties to resume his old position as shipsmith 
in the Mare Island navy yard, since which period he has continued his resi- 
dence in Vallejo. 

Mr. Greenwood's Klondike trip, which was made in 1898. covers a series 
of thrilling experiences, which, it i> safe to say. will ever occupy an important 
pface in his memory. Crossing Chilcoot pass in a storm, he escaped by one 
night the great snowslide that buried s, . many unfortunate gold-seekers at 



436 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the scales. On arriving at Lake Tagish he and his companions constructed 
three boats, for the making of which they felled forest trees and whipsawed 
the logs to make the boards. In making the boats they ran short of nails, 
needing four pounds, and for this amount Mr. Greenwood was obliged to 
pay $5. The party made their way through the dangerous Miles canon 'and 
White Horse rapids into the Yukon and down to Dawson, where they sold 
their largest boat. After prospecting for the elusive gold for six weeks with- 
out success they continued their journey down the Yukon in one of their 
small skiffs, only fourteen feet in length. Upon reaching Holy Cross Mission, 
after having traveled fourteen hundred miles down the Yukon, they gave 
their boat and the remainder of their provisions to the old French Catholic 
priest, who had shown them many courtesies, not the least of which was the 
freedom of his library and papers. The party then boarded a steamer en route 
to St. Michaels, where they took passage for Seattle, thence returned to 
Vallejo, the return trip having occupied six months. 

June 19, 1899, Mr. Greenwood was united in marriage with Miss Alice 
Estelle Kimball, a native of Vallejo, and a daughter of Asa Kimball, a pioneer 
of that city. They have one adopted son, Ralph Augustus Greenwood. Mr. 
Greenwood was made a Mason in Naval Lodge No. 87, F. & A. M. ; he was 
a member of Golden State Lodge No. 216, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past 
noble grand, his membership, however, being no longer active. He is a member 
of Vallejo Camp No. 56, W. O. W., of which he is a past council commander, 
while both himself and wife are members of Silver Star Chapter No. 3, O. E. S. 



JEREMIAH AHERN. 

A native son of the state, Jeremiah Ahern was born on the present site 
of the city of Berkeley, July 5, 1860, the son of Jeremiah and Bridget (Marnen) 
Ahern. the former of whom came to California from Boston in 1853. Jeremiah 
Ahern, Jr., received his training in civil engineering in the University of Cali- 
fornia. In 1883 he entered the employ of the United States government as 
topographer on the geological survey and for six years was engaged in surveys 
in California, Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as 
well as in Washington, D. C. From 1889 to 1891 he was engaged on the 
Powell irrigation survey, his duties including surveying and investigation 
work for the irrigation of arid lands in Montana, New Mexico and California. 
For the next three years he was in private practice as a civil engineer in San 
Francisco From 1895 until 1899 he was again United States surveyor, mak- 
ing surveys of lands in the Indian territory. From 1899 to 1902 lie was en- 
gaged as topographer by the United States geological survey, making surveys 
in Arizona. New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Nevada. 

Upon the organization of the United States reclamation service in 1902, 
Mr. Ahern was appointed an engineer in that service, and from that date until 
1908 was in charge of the Shoshone irrigation project in Wyoming. All sur- 
veys and investigation for the construction of the project were made under his 
supervision. He also supervised the construction of wagon roads, tunnels, 
dams and canals, which involved an expenditure of over two million dollars. 
This project will ultimately reclaim one hundred and sixty-four thousand 
acres of land, of which thirty thousand are now under irrigation. 

In 1908 Mr. Ahern returned to California and purchased a portion of the 
Silveyville ranch near Dixon, where he is now engaged in farming. He is a 
member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Geographic 
Society, a life member of the Archeological Institute of America, a member 
of the American Forestry Association, and of the Landmarks Club, as well 
as other scientific societies. He was married in Denver, Colo., October "4, 
1910, to Miss Julia Bessie Lane, a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio. 




<? 



<h 



^0,Jc^Ujutt 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND \ \PA COUNTIES «9 

FRANKLIN OSCAR SC \ KIT IT. 

No contradiction will be given the statement thai the present prosperity 

of Solano county very largely may be attributed to the scientific efforts oi the 
sons oi its pioneers. Among these may be mentioned Franklin Oscar Scarlett, 
the owner oi the old W. B. Brown ranch, a property comprising ten hundred 
and fifty acres, three hundred of which are in orchard, and the balance in 
grain and grazing. The exceptional monetary value of this ranch is indicated 
by the tact that in 1909 the fruit and produce brought on the market $22,000. 
Needless to say, the care of this land exemplifies the highest known standards 
of orcharding and agriculture, and for the conduct of its various departments 
employment is given to at least one hundred and thirty-five people. Incident- 
ally, as compared with the larger scale established in fruit and grain raising, 
Mr. Scarlett breeds for his own use cattle, horses and hogs. The farm equip- 
ment is most modern and adequate for a many-sided enterprise, and the 
tendency oi the manager to continuous improvement over old methods prom- 
ises conformity to the best facilities and methods of the future. 

Born on a farm near Clarinda, Page county, Iowa, in 1858, Mr. Scarlett 
is a son of William Wilson Scarlett, who was born in Indiana in 1825. and 
died November 26. 1899. The mother of Franklin Oscar, Myra (Cathcart) 
Scarlett, was born in Indiana. December 12. 1828, and died in 1908. 

When the lad was two years old. in the spring of 1860. the parents made 
the trip across the plains with ox-teams. For a couple of years the family 
lived in the Rogue River valley." Oregon, than came to Solano county, where 
Franklin Oscar was educated in the district school, and in time began his 
wage earning career as a farm hand. Frugal and thrifty, he saved more than 
he spent, and in 1879 established a home of his own. marrying Anna W. Story, 
who was born in Suisun valley, the daughter of Lewis and Amelia (Anderson) 
Story, who were pioneers of Solano county. The father is deceased, but the 
mother lives in Shasta county, this state. The eldest of the three children 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Scarlett, Lolita May, born October 4, 1880, died Decem- 
ber 24. 1909 ; Walter Story, born in 1888, is his father's first assistant on the 
ranch; and Asa Lewis, born in 1891. also has pronounced tendencies towards 
country life. 

From 1882 until 1892 Mr. Scarlett engaged in the butcher business at 
Lathrop. after which he came to the Suisun valley and engaged in horticulture. 
In 1898 he rented the old Brown place, which he purchased in 1910. It is 
located about seven miles northwest of Suisun, and extends to the foothills of 
the Twin Sisters mountains and is watered by Suisun creek. It is well im- 
proved with buildings and all modern conveniences. For many years Mr. 
Scarlett has taken an active interest in Republican politics, and has served as 
a member of the school board. He also is active in fraternal circles, and an 
honored member of Suisun Lodge No. 111. K. of P.. being transferred from 
the Lathrop lodge of the same order. 



JOHN L. WILSON. 

One of the most faithful and highly esteemed employees of the Southern 
Pacific Railroad Company, whose service covers a period of thirty-seven years, 
is Mr. Wilson, who resides in Napa and who is widely known as a man of 
sterling qualities. His father, Albert Wilson, was a native of Germany and 
emigrated to California at an early period, establishing a teaming line in the 
mountains In 1862. however, his mules having perished in the flood of that 
date, he removed to San Francisco, thence to Alameda, his accidental death 
by drowning occurring in the estuary in 1866. His wife. Julia Wilson, was 
born in Ireland and passed away in Alameda in 1869. 

The eldest of seven children. John L. Wilson was bom April 16, 1858, 



440 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

in Sacramento, Cal., and spent his early youth in Alameda, where he attended 
public school. Later he engaged in ranching, but in 1875 secured employment 
in the Sacramento yards of the Southern Pacific Railroad, subsequently firing 
on a mountain route. In 1881 he was promoted to the position of engineer, his 
run being over the mountains and through the valley from Sacramento. 
Three years later he was sent south with headquarters at Tulare, traveling 
between Bakersfield and Lathrop until 1888, when his run was changed, operat- 
ing from Brenda to Raymond. After thirteen years of service on this line 
he was transferred to Oakland, thence to Vallejo in 1905, running on the 
Calistoga local until April, 1911, when he took the Napa local. At present, 
with headquarters at Vallejo, he has charge of the Napa run, in which city he 
makes his home. Throughout his long career in his precarious calling, Mr. 
Wilson has met with no accidents and considers himself particularly fortunate 
in having escaped all danger. 

Mrs. Wilson was in maidenhood Miss Amelia Wittke, a native of Cal- 
istoga. Of their marriage, which occurred in San Francisco in 1906, one child, 
Adeline, has been born. Mr. Wilson holds membership in Tulare Lodge No. 
269, F. & A. M., and Tulare Chapter No. 71, R. A. M. He is also a member of 
Oakland Division No. 283, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and for 
many years was affiliated with Calistoga Parlor, N. S. G. W. He has always 
been a Republican, maintaining a wide knowledge of movements in the political 
world, and by his courage and faithful, conscientious service has won the 
commendation not only of his employers, but of his wide circle of friends and 
associates. 



HENRY PETERSEN. 

With the passing away of Henry Petersen July 1, 1908, Solano -county 
lost another prominent citizen, rancher and horticulturist, who had endeared 
himself to the hearts of many and won a place in the esteem of the people 
generally by his business ability, as well as because of his industry and per- 
severance in the face of obstacles. He was born in Sleswig-Holstein, Ger- 
many, September 15, 1835. He came to California without means or friends to 
assist him in getting a start in the land of his adoption, and after years of 
ranching activity, during which time he had accumulated a competency, he was 
able to retire from active work and remain so until his decease. 

As a boy Mr. Petersen received no special advantages, in fact did not 
have the ordinary opportunities of receiving an education, being forced by 
circumstances to assume the responsibility of self-support at an early age. 
When he was sixteen years of age he shipped from Hamburg, Germany, as a 
sailor and for a number of years followed a sea-faring life. On one of his 
voyages, after a long trip around Cape Horn, in the late 50's, he landed in 
San Francisco. Determined to seek his fortune in the mines, he started out 
from that city with high hopes for success, but after a short experience at the 
mines he found his castles in the air gradually disappearing, and finding but 
little gold, he decided to seek work on a ranch. With this object in view he 
came to Solano county in 1859; having gathered together a small amount of 
cash, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which was later occu- 
pied by J. S. Mayes. Subsequently he traded with Mr. Ammonds for a quarter 
section south of Dixon, which place he owned at the time of his death, and on 
which property he erected his residence. On acquiring this property he began 
tilling the soil ; the first crops had to be hauled to Sacramento, which was an 
expensive process, leaving but little return for his labor. Later, when wheat 
and barley commanded better prices, he received a more gratifying income 
from his crops. Encouraged by his success, he made further investments and 
thus in time acquired a considerable acreage, purchasing from Mr. Cooper one 



HISTORY (>K SOI. \\o \\D NAPA COUNTIES 441 

hundred and sixty acres, and a like amount from Mr. Tuck and Mr. Walsh. 
In addition to this. Mr. Petersen also boughl and sold other tracts, large and 
small, handling in this way a large amount of farm property, lie also gave his 
attention to stock raising, but preferred to make a specialty of raising wheal 
and barley, finding these commodities more profitable for the locality "I his 
ranch. After accumulating his various properties, Mr. Petersen fell no longer 
the necessity ^>i doing manual work and consequently gave Up the immediate 
care of his ranches to his sons and located in Dixon, where he and his wife 
enjoyed their declining years amid the comforts rendered possible by their 
arduous labors in the early days of the county's history. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Petersen were large contributors to charitable and 
religious movements and since the decease ^<'\ her husband Mrs. Petersen has 
not diminished her zeal in anywise along these lines. Mrs. Petersen was 
formerly Maria Beuck, born in Slesvig-Holstein, Germany. Five children 
were born t<. Mr. and Mrs. Petersen, of whom one son. Christopher, died at the 
age ^i twenty-one years. Of those living we mention the following: J. Henry 
resides on his ranch of nine hundred and sixty acres three and a half miles 
south <'i Dixon: he is president ^\ the Bank of Dixon: president of the Dixon 
Fraternal Hall Association; holds the same office in the Solano Machinery 
Company, and is a trustee in Reclamation Distrid No. 536. lie married Laura 
Vpperson and they have three children. Claire I... Marry E. and Dorothea A. 
Matilda Petersen became the wife of Dr. Lester P. Hall, of Dixon. William 
D. Petersen is represented elsewhere in this volume. Amelia Petersen is the 
wife of Rowland Moss, <<i Dixon. All of the children reside in Solano county. 

On the decease of Mr. Petersen in July. PX)8, the widow and children 
mourned the loss of a kind husband and indulgent father. His is a life history 
that will 14" down to posterity as one commendable from every point of view. 
Mrs. Petersen is a member o\ the German Lutheran Church and is a well- 
known member of Dixon society. 



CHARLES LINCOLN LEVANSALER. 

The environment familiar to the boyhood years of Air. Levansaler was 
that of the rugged coast country jutting down into the ocean with many a 
curve of bay and inlet. Thomaston, Me. lit was there that he was born March 
12. 1845), forms one of those New England settlements which from the be- 
ginning of our colonial history has been devoted to occupations connected with 
the sea. Lying on the railroad only a short distance from the great ocean, it 
has its harbor at South Thomaston and furnishes to the sea-going vessels a 
large number of its sturdy young men as sailors. It was natural, with these 
surroundings, that Mr. Levansaler should early choose the life of a sailor. 
For a long period he followed the sea and meanwhile visited many foreign 
ports, gaining a cosmopolitan knowledge of the world that was helpful to his 
subsequent activities. 

Tlie clipper ship White Swallow that left New York early in 1862 for San 
Francisco carried among its officers the young sailor as third mate. Just before 
starting on this voyage he had determined to abandon a sea-faring existence 
and become a landsman. After rounding the Horn the ship sailed up the 
Pacific and during May cast anchor in the harbor of the Golden Gate. Thence 
he proceeded to Sonoma county and secured employment in a vineyard in 
Sonoma, where he remained until the fall of that year. During the same year 
he joined a party bound for the John Day country at Granite creek in the 
Blue mountain district of Oregon and on his arrival he began to engage in 
mining. While thus occupied he learned of tin assassination of President 
Lincoln. In order to get the particulars of the terrible tragedy, he paid SI for 
a copy of the Sacramento Union containing details of the catastrophe. The 



442 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

same amount was paid for letters and flour per pound. While working the 
mines he spent his winters in Portland, Ore., returning to the mountain district 
in the spring. 

Upon returning to California in 1867 Mr. Levansaler went to Sonoma 
county and secured employment as driver of a team of eight mules, employed 
in hauling redwood lumber from Coleman valley into Petaluma and Santa 
Rosa, where it was disposed of to dealers. In addition he drove a stage for 
Lon Miller from Petaluma to Duncans Mills. Going next to Sacramento he 
drove a wagon for Treadwell & Co., merchants. While he was in that city the 
last spike was driven that completed the Southern Pacific Railroad. During 
1870 he came to Napa, where at first he worked for Dick Moore. Later he 
embarked in the draying business for himself and since then he has continued 
in the same line of activity. In the early days he hauled goods in a two- 
wheeled dray, but now he has a neat equipment and all modern conveniences 
for the work, including a large truck. For a number of years, as the Globe 
and Light Company, he had the contract to light the city of Napa with a gas 
that he manufactured from naphtha. When the opera house was completed 
he leased it and ran it for nineteen years and is still interested in it, being now 
the assistant manager and treasurer. He also established the bill-posting 
plant of which he is the owner and proprietor. He is a member of the Canada 
and United States Bill Posters, and a member of the Pacific Bill Posters' Asso- 
ciation. Ever since his arrival in Napa more than forty years ago he has been 
interested in the material development of the place and has contributed his 
quota toward its progress. When a vacancy occurred in the office of city 
trustee he was chosen to fill the unexpired term and his success in the position 
was so manifest that he was duly elected for a term of four years. At the 
expiration of the time he was again chosen trustee and is still serving in this 
capacity, meantime maintaining a prominent part in municipal affairs. In 
fraternal relations he is identified with the three branches of Odd Fellows and 
contributes helpfully to each of these. 

The first marriage of Mr. Levansaler occurred in 1873 and united him with 
Miss Mary Eggleston, who was born in California and died here in 1885. 
Five years after her demise, September 10, 1890, he was again married, choos- 
ing as his wife Miss Lujetta Phelps, a native daughter of the state. Five 
children were born of the first marriage. The eldest, Joseph Levansaler, M.D., 
who is in the hospital service of the United States navy, has served as assistant 
surgeon on battleships, but is now stationed at Chelsea, Mass. The other 
children of the first marriage are as follows : George, in Chicago ; Mary, Mrs. 
C. Gove, of Oakland; Hazel, wife of M. Beninger, of San Francisco; and 
Brover Charles, who is connected with the Well-Fargo Express Company at 
Napa. The children of the second marriage are Edith, Olive and Russell. 



CAPT. GEORGE HUGH GREENWOOD. 

Not only master of the seas, but master of his own life as well, Captain 
Greenwood was a man of sterling qualities and broad, generous principles, 
whose memory will long remain in the minds of those familiar with his career, 
the latter part of which was spent in California, where, for many years, he 
successfully operated a line of schooners on San Francisco bay. His father, 
Capt. George D. Greenwood, a native of Bristol, England, went to sea early in 
life, becoming a most skilful navigator. For many years he sailed from Calais, 
Me., to points throughout the world, spending his last days on the Pacific 
coast, and passing away at the age of ninety-two at the home of his son, Capt. 
John O. Greenwood, at Oak Grove, Napa county. 

George H. Greenwood was born in 1832 in Calais, Me., where he received 
his education, early mastering the art of navigation. As master of the Grecian 




W. J. STODDARD 



IllSTnKY OF SOLANO AND NAPA-COUNTIES 445 

he sailed around Cape Horn to San Francisco in 1852, going thence to the 
mines at Oroville, Cal., where he spent two years. Returning to San Fran- 
cisco he engaged in the stevedore business, later establishing a schooner line 
on San Francisco hay. and becoming both well and favorably known through- 
out that section. In the interim lie purchased a ranch of one hundred and 
sixty acres one and one-quarter miles north of Vallejo, successfully conducting 
a farm as well as a transportation business, until Ids death in 1893. 

Mr. Greenwood was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Colby Lee, 
a native of Amesbury, Mass.. her death occurring in San Francisco in 1904. 
Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood, seven of whom are liv- 
ing: George C.. who is engaged in the restaurant business in San Francisco; 
James A., shipsmith at Mare Island navy yard; Chester C, quarterman ship- 
wright Mare Island navy yard; Edna M., a physician of San Jose; Earl M.. a 
practicing physician of San Francisco; Jessie R., a trained nurse in St. Francis 
Hospital. San Francisco; and Harlow V.. an attorney of Vallejo. 

Upon the death of Mrs. Greenwood the children incorporated the estate 
under the name of The Greenwood Company, James A. being president. In- 
cluded in the estate, in which each son and daughter is a director, are two 
schooners, still in service, the Roy Summers and the Jennie & Edna, the latter 
having been constructed by Captain Greenwood and his partner, James Kivel. 
The estate owns valuable property in both San Francisco and Vallejo, having 
recently erected on Marin near Georgia street, the city's most modern business 
building, three stories, reinforced concrete, with brick front. Working in 
perfect harmony with each other, the brothers and sisters are gradually build- 
ing up the estate, which has greatly increased in value since the death of their 
father. 



WILLIAM J. STODDARD. 

A native of Michigan. William J. Stoddard was born in Mackinaw, Sep- 
tember 14, 1863. a son of William Stoddard, a native of New York state, and 
was engaged in merchandising there. In 1872 he came to California and lo- 
cating on Bear River, was engaged in the grain and milling business. He later 
went to Santa Rosa and followed the same occupation and in 1880 he located in 
Xapa. where he was associated with his son William J. until his death, in 1903. 
He was well known in business circles and was counted a successful man. 
His wife, Rosa Todd, was a native of Mackinaw, Mich., and is still, living. 
She became the mother of six sons, four of whom grew to maturity and two 
are now living. 

William J. Stoddard was the second in order of birth and was brought to 
this state when but nine years of age. receiving his education in the public 
schools and completing same at the Oak Mound school. He worked with his 
father in the milling business from boyhood, and after he had finished his 
schooling he went to Los Angeles and was engaged with the Capitol Mills 
for the following four years, after which he returned to Napa and started in 
business at the corner of Brown and Fifth streets, and during the years that 
he was actively connected with same he had built up a very lucrative grain 
and feed business. He erected the buildings and warehouse, the latter two 
hundred and twenty feet long and used for storage purposes. He added to 
his equipment from time to time and had one of the best equipped plant-- of 
its kind to be found in this section of the state. Just prior to his death the 
business was incorporated, in 1910, as the Stoddard Milling Company, and he 
was its active head. In February. 1911. was held an election of officers, and 
Mrs. Stoddard was elected president and Mr. Stoddard secretary and treas- 
urer: two weeks later. March 5. he passed away and was buried in Tulocay 



446 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

cemetery. He was a member of the volunteer fire department hook and ladder 
No. 1, and was president from its organization. He erected their comfortable 
home at No. 1170 First street, now occupied by Mrs. Stoddard. 

On October 27, 1898, occurred the marriage of W. J. Stoddard and Miss 
Isabelle Ilos, who was born in Gan, near Pau Basses Pyrenees, France, and 
was a daughter of Pierre Xinou. who was born at the same place. Her mother, 
Jeanne Mesple, died in 1910, and the father is still living at a ripe old age. He 
was a contractor by occupation. The daughter was educated in the schools 
of her home town and later came to San Francisco and thence to Napa, where 
she met and married Mr. Stoddard. Since his death she has conducted the 
business ; resigning as president, she was elected secretary and treasurer. Mrs. 
Stoddard has shown her capability as a business woman and has carried on 
the extensive business instituted by her husband with tact and good executive 
ability. She has retained the employes who so faithfully served her husband 
and by their faithful application to her interests continued the business with 
the same success that he enjoyed. 

Mr. Stoddard was a Democrat in his political belief, though never an 
aspirant for official honors. He was an enemy of graft in every form and never 
tolerated such methods. It was through his efforts that the old hand engine 
was preserved to the city. This engine was brought from New York around 
Cape Horn to Napa, and was made to work by hand, the water being pumped 
from the river or cisterns by "man-power." There are two children in the 
family home, Vernice and Ileece. 

In passing it is but proper to mention the characteristics of Mr. Stoddard 
that endeared him to the people. He was an honest man in every respect, a 
good citizen, firm in his opinions once formed. He never allowed himself to 
,be swerved from the path of duty as he saw it, by friendship, clamor or partisan 
bias. The domestic side of his life was affectionate and pleasing. He was 
cordial and unaffected in manner and his nature was kind and benevolent." No 
worthy and well-considered project for the promotion of the best interests of 
the public was presented to him without receiving his sanction and assistance, 
and he not infrequently took the initiative in such movements. He was a 
noble, high-minded, useful citizen and friend, who deserves a place of prom- 
inence in the history of the county. 



TERRIL LINDSEY GRIGSBY. 

One of the most aggressive and energetic of our early settlers, a pioneer 
wine merchant, as well ; a man whose originality of thought and action won 
for him an honored place in the community of which he was an important 
citizen, was Terril Lindsey Grigsby, who immigrated to California in 1850. 
He was born in Giles county, Tenn., February 3, 1818, and at the age of fifteen 
accompanied his parents to Laclede county, Mo., then considered "the frontier 
of the west," where he assisted his father in farming. Mr. Grigsby's father, 
Samuel Harrison Grigsby, of Tennessee, was a nephew of Gen. W. H. Harri- 
son, and served under his uncle during the War of 1812 ; accompanied by his 
wife he came to California in 1853, but Mrs. Grigsby survived the trip only a 
few days, her husband residing in Napa county until his death. At the early 
age of twenty, in 1838, T. L. Grigsby was married to Cynthia Faires, who was 
born in Mecklenburg county, N. C, July 25, 1817. Her father, Robert Faires, 
who was born x\ugust 15, 1798, and died November 22. 1855, and her mother, 
Susannah (Orr) Faires, born October 21, 1793, died May 11, 1857, were also 
natives of North Carolina. 

T. L. Grigsby made his first trip to the west with ox-team, and located 
on what is now known as the Occidental Vineyard ranch, in the foothills of 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 447 

Napa valley. This consisted <>t" two hundred and hft\ seven acres, one hundred 

and twenty ni which were planted to grain, eighty to grapes (the outpul oi 
the vineyard being about three hundred tons annually) and the remainder 
used for pasturing. Abundantly watered by many springs, this ranch was, and 
is, one of the most fertile in Napa county. Returning to Missouri by way of 

the Panama canal, Mr. Grigsby made necessar} preparations tor a second 
trip west in 1852, this time with "his family. The wagons were drawn by 
oxen and the train also included a hand of cattle, which formed the nucleus of 
the stock business which Mr. Grigsby carried on upon his arrival in California. 
In addition to his Napa county farm he owned a ranch in Mendocino county, 
also land in Lake county, both ^\ which were devoted to -lock raising. 

Mr. Grigsby carried on his wine industry on his Napa county farm. The 
building, which was 58x112 feet, and three stories high, was built <^i stone 
secured from the adjacent foothills, and its capacity was _'7:\000 gallons. The 
first and second floors were used for storing wine, while the third was devoted 
to it- fermentation. The many windows were iron barred, the walls were two 
feet thick and the uprights were of heavy redwood. From a large tank on 
the hillside water was distributed throughout the plant. In connection with 
the cellar Mr. Grigsby built of stone a still house 2o\2S feet, which was used 
for making brandy. Operations in this still house were aided by a portable 
engine, which was also used to supply hot water for the cleaning of barrels. 
The entire plant cost approximately $30,000. 

Mr Grigsby was also interested in the prospective construction of what 
was to be known as the S. F. & Clear Railway, and in addition to devoting 
much time t<> the development of this proposition, he also advanced necessary 
funds with which to carry on the initial work. Grading operations were insti- 
tuted, but owing to the subsequent panic Mr. Grigsby deemed it impracticable 
to continue his plans, and after meeting obligations to date, which involved the 
sale <<i his ranches, he abandoned the project. Shortly after this venture he 
withdrew from active life, and made his home in Xapa until his death, Janu- 
ary IS. 1892. His wife died in Xapa six years later, September 4, 1898. 

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grigsby: Robert F., a miner 
near CalistOga; Darwin, a farmer in Contra Costa county; Alphonzo D., a 
farmer in San Diego county; Mary S., who died at the age of twenty-two; 
Lura Jane, now Mrs. Trubody; Orlena E., widow of J. B. Edington, who 
makes her home in Xapa ; Thomas A., of Napa township ; and James P., a car- 
penter in the Southern Pacific shops at Sacramento. 



JOSEPH SILVEY. 

Born in Pike Western Island. Portugal, in 1846, Joseph Silvey remained 
at home until the age of sixteen, when he decided to follow the sea for a 
livelihood and for eleven years he sailed before the mast. During the long 
summer months he engaged in fishing in Massachusetts. When twenty- 
seven years old he left Provencetown, Mass., to come to California, and in 
San Luis Obispo he engaged in dairying for two years. Later he came to 
Solano county and settled in Elmira. On coming to Elmira he first rented 
a farm close to the town, and then after twenty-two years of hard toil and 
earnest application, he purchased three hundred and twenty acres, the entire 
amount he paid for it being $8600. 

In Boston. Mass., Mr. Silvey was married to Frances Keymiller, a native 
of Portugal, and to them have been born four children: Mary, Mrs. Martin; 
Joe. in Palo Alto; Paul, a graduate of Stanford College and an educator in 
San Francisco: and John, also in San Francisco. Politically Mr. Silvey is a 
Republican, and in religion is a Catholic. 



446 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

cemetery. He was a member of the volunteer fire department hook and ladder 
No. 1, and was president from its organization. He erected their comfortable 
home at No. 1170 First street, now occupied by Mrs. Stoddard. 

On October 27, 1898, occurred the marriage of W. J. Stoddard and Miss 
Isabelle Ilos, who was born in Gan, near Pau Basses Pyrenees, France, and 
was a daughter of Pierre Xinou. who was born at the same place. Her mother, 
Jeanne Mesple, died in 1910, and the father is still living at a ripe old age. He 
was a contractor by occupation. The daughter was educated in the schools 
of her home town and later came to San Francisco and thence to Napa, where 
she met and married Mr. Stoddard. Since his death she has conducted the 
business ; resigning as president, she was elected secretary and treasurer. Mrs. 
Stoddard has shown her capability as a business woman and has carried on 
the extensive business instituted by her husband with tact and good executive 
ability. She has retained the employes who so faithfully served her husband 
and by their faithful application to her interests continued the business with 
the same success that he enjoyed. 

Mr. Stoddard was a Democrat in his political belief, though never an 
aspirant for official honors. He was an enemy of graft in every form and never 
tolerated such methods. It was through his efforts that the old hand engine 
was preserved to the city. This engine was brought from New York around 
Cape Horn to Napa, and was made to work by hand, the water being pumped 
from the river or cisterns by "man-power." There are two children in the 
family home, Vernice and Ileece. 

In passing it is but proper to mention the characteristics of Mr. Stoddard 
that endeared him to the people. He was an honest man in every respect, a 
good citizen, firm in his opinions once formed. He never allowed himself to 
,be swerved from the path of duty as he saw it, by friendship, clamor or partisan 
bias. The domestic side of his life was affectionate and pleasing. He was 
cordial and unaffected in manner and his nature was kind and benevolent." No 
worthy and well-considered project for the promotion of the best interests of 
the public was presented to him without receiving his sanction and assistance, 
and he not infrequently took the initiative in such movements. He was a 
noble, high-minded, useful citizen and friend, who deserves a place of prom- 
inence in the history of the county. 



TERRIL LINDSEY GRIGSBY. 

One of the most aggressive and energetic of our early settlers, a pioneer 
wine merchant, as well ; a man whose originality of thought and action won 
for him an honored place in the community of which he was an important 
citizen, was Terril Lindsey Grigsby, who immigrated to California in 1850. 
He was born in Giles county, Tenn., February 3, 1818, and at the age of fifteen 
accompanied his parents to Laclede county, Mo., then considered "the frontier 
of the west," where he assisted his father in farming. Mr. Grigsby's father, 
Samuel Harrison Grigsby, of Tennessee, was a nephew of Gen. W. H. Harri- 
son, and served under his uncle during the War of 1812 ; accompanied by his 
wife he came to California in 1853, but Mrs. Grigsby survived the trip only a 
few days, her husband residing in Napa county until his death. At the early 
age of twenty, in 1838, T. L. Grigsby was married to Cynthia Faires, who was 
born in Mecklenburg county, N. C, July 25, 1817. Her father, Robert Faires, 
who was born x\ugust 15, 1798, and died November 22. 1855, and her mother, 
Susannah (Orr) Faires, born October 21, 1793, died May 11, 1857, were also 
natives of North Carolina. 

T. L. Grigsby made his first trip to the west with ox-team, and located 
on what is now known as the Occidental Vineyard ranch, in the foothills of 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 451 

under I. C. Franks, a four year term under \\ . ii. Long and for a time under 
Barry Baldwin, resigning to accept a position with the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road Company as a special detective agenl for their western division. This 
wa- in 1895, and during the time he was so employed he traveled extensively 
throughout the country and became familiar with conditions in every locality 
visited. In the performance ^i his duties he was faithful and impartial, in 
fact he was authority, and no complaints were carried over his head tor fur- 
ther arbitration. 

In 1903 Mr. Maloney came back to Napa county and bought a ranch of 
sixty four acres near Yountville; of this ten acres are in French prunes, which 
yield on an average oi about fifty tons annually. Ten acres are in vineyard, 
ten acres in alfalfa, and the balance in hay and grain. For four years he 
devoted his entire time to the cultivation and development of this place and 
made it the family home. In l l K)7 Governor Gillett appointed Mr. Maloney 
to the office of special agent i-'i the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and for the 
following four years he ably filled the position. In 1911 he was appointed 
under-sheriff by E. A. Kelton. who had just been elected to the office of sheriff 
of Xapa county, and in this position he fulfils his line of duty to the eminent 
satisfaction of his superior and the citizens in general. 

In December. 1890. Mr. Maloney was united in marriage with Miss Mary 
Bramwell. a native of California, and of this union two daughters have been 
born. May E.. who is engaged in teaching in the Napa county public schools, 
and Estelle. a student in the high school of Xapa. Mr. Maloney is a member 
of Xapa Lodge Xo. 832. B. P. O. E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Maloney are well 
known residents of Xapa county and they are to be found identified with every 
progressive movement that has for its object the advancement of the general 
welfare of the county. 



WILLIAM STREICHAN. 

Well known as the man who started the ball of progress in Vallejo, the 
name of William Streichan is fraught with deep respect and admiration among 
his many friends and associates, who mourn his untimely death by drowning 
on May 24. 1909. For some time prior to his demise Mr. Streichan had been 
in ill health, due to his continual overwork, his highly nervous condition being 
responsible for his fall from the deck of the Arrow, upon which he was aboard 
on a trip to San Francisco. 

A native of Mittenwalde. near Berlin. Germany, the birth of Mr. Streichan 
occurred April 22, 1849. He was well educated in his native land, and at the 
age of twenty-one he immigrated to the United States, settling in Mapleton, 
Minn. After a year, however, he returned to Germany, on the death of his 
father, but soon afterward again took up his residence in Minnesota. A year 
later he went to Chicago, then to Oregon, and in 1876 came to California, and 
in Los Angeles was employed for two years in an orange orchard in what is 
now the business portion of that city. Later he engaged in the shoe business 
in Stockton, and in 1882 removed to Vallejo. where he established a similar 
business, continuing to prosper to the extent that he felt justified in journey- 
ing east to personally order a large stock of goods. Later he purchased from 
Mr. Milton the site of the present Streichan building and proceeded to erect 
a building 50x80. three-story, brick, containing two stores and thirty rooms. 
In 1896 he began an active campaign for the building up of the town, his 
efforts being crowned with great success. In 1901 he purchased on Georgia 
street a lot 50x130 feet from Mrs. Dr. Voglemann, erecting in 1906 the store 
building now occupied by Conley & Crowley. 

Mr. Streichan was a member of San Pablo Lodge No. 43, 1. O. O. F., and 
was a Republican of broad and progressive principles. He was a devout 






452 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

member of the Lutheran Church of Vallejo, which he aided in many ways, as 
well as all denominations 

April 8. 1889, Mr. Streichan married Mrs. Amelia (von Angern) Hely, 
whose birth occurred in Mitten walde, Germany, and whose father, Edward 
von Angern, also of that country, was a noted musician in the German court. 
In 1854 he immigrated to America, passing away in Canada four weeks later, 
on July 4, having contracted cholera. The mother of Mrs. Streichan, Fred- 
ericks Streichan, in maidenhood was also a native of Mittenwalde, Germany, 
and passed away in Oakland, June 19, 1908. Of her three children, two are 
living. Mrs. Streichan is the eldest, and Anna. Mrs. Taylor, resides in Oakland. 

Mrs. William Streichan spent her youth in Germany, making her home 
with her grandfather, Freidrich Streichan, until she was nine years of age, 
then, in 1858, removing with him to Michigan, where he died. In 1861 she 
went to Minnesota, and two years later was married to Henry Hely, a farmer, 
at Mapleton, who died in Minnesota. In 1887 Mrs. Hely came to California, 
where she has since resided. Since her husband's death she has devoted her 
time to her wide business interests, leasing her buildings, etc.. her holdings 
including valuable property in Oakland, as well as in Vallejo, the tangible 
result of her husband's well directed efforts. Among her residences is the 
artistic dwelling on Castro and Seventeenth street in Oakland, but she makes 
her home in Vallejo. Of her first marriage two children were born : Robert 
Hely, of Vallejo, and Addie, wife of P. J. Kremer, of Minnesota Lake, Minn. 
Mrs. Streichan is an active member of the Vallejo Lutheran Church and is 
affiliated with Myrtle Rebekah Lodge No. 15, I. O. O. F., being known 
throughout the community as a woman of rare attainments and excellent 
business ability. 



ROBERT WILLIAMS. 

The pioneer type with its sturdy fearlessness and its touch of romance 
found expression in the life of the late Robert Williams of the Suisun valley. 
Attracted to the west by the discovery of gold, although not an immigrant 
hither until four years later, he found an opportunity for agricultural efforts 
in the valleys of Sacramento and Suisun and met each task with a courage 
characteristic of the man and the period. The quiet but important part he 
took in the agricultural development of the state entitles him to a place in 
the annals of local history and gives to his name a distinctive position in the 
list of prominent pioneers. 

Born in Boston, Mass., in 1827, Robert Williams is the son of Robert P. 
Williams, who was one of the proprietors of the old Corner Book store in 
Boston. Afterward he removed to St. Louis, making his home there until his 
death, in 1851. His grandfather was Capt. Robert Williams, who was born in 
Boston. July 24, 1753, and who graduated from Harvard University in 1773. 
He studied medicine under Dr. Warren, the hero of Bunker Hill. Capt. Robert 
Williams served throughout the Revolutionary war and became an officer with 
the rank of lieutenant. After the war he engaged in merchandising and was 
part owner of the ship Commerce. In 1791 he sailed her to the East Indies, 
and on July 10, 1792, was wrecked on the Arabian coast. After suffering all 
kinds of torture he finally returned to Boston in 1794, one of five survivors. 
He died at his residence at Fort Hill in 1834. 

Robert Williams received an education superior to that enjoyed by many 
of the youth of his day. During early life he accompanied his parents to St. 
Louis, Mo., and secured employment in that city and remained there until his 
removal to California. Meanwhile, in 1849, he had married Miss Maria Ellard, 
who was born in London, England, in 1828, the daughter of James and Theresa 
(Denny) Ellard, who brought the family to Galveston in 1841, and later moved 



HISTORY OF SOLANO UJD NAPA COUNTIES 453 

to St. Louis. Mo. The young couple came to California by way of Panama, 
riding mules across the Isthmus to the city of Panama in the summer of 1852, 
and arrived in Sacramento after an eventful journey of two months. Scarcely 
hail Mr. Williams become settled and opened his blacksmith shop iu Sacra 
memo when the great tire ^<i 1852 left him almost penniless, lie then moved 
to San Francisco and remained there until the fall of 1853, when he came t<> 
Suisun, where his sou. Thomas 1'.. was horn January 2. 1854. the first white 
child horn in the place. 

A claim of one hundred and sixty acres, taken up from the government 
ami held for a time, was finally given up by Mr. Williams, who in 1856 re- 
turned to Sacramento. Xear that city he settled on a raw tract of land and 
by dint of constant effort he developed a valuable ranch, which in 1876 he 
sold at the time oi his removal to the Suisun valley. Shortly after his return 
to Solano county he bought three hundred and thirty-two acres of grain land. 
Eventually it was discovered that the -oil and climate were well adapted to 
horticulture, so the owner turned his attention to the raising of fruits and 
nuts. It is now a producing orchard of prunes, apricots, peaches, pears and 
almonds and yielding a good income. On this valuable homestead Mr. Wil- 
liams spent his last days in contented industry, and here his death occurred 
in Septemher of 1892. Here his widow resided until LX)0. when she built a 
residence in Suisun. in which she lives with her daughter, Mary W. She is 
now eighty-four years of age. hale and hearty. Besides her son Thomas P., 
of whom mention has previously been made, she became the mother of nine 
children, of whom only five are now living: Charles is a farmer in Suisun 
valley; Thomas P. and Robert Frank are managing her ranch; the daughters 
are Mary \Y.. and Mrs. W. L. Griffiths, of Xapa. All of the children are united 
in their endeavor to make happy the closing years of their mother's life. 



JOSEPH EDWARD CLARK. 

One of California's early pioneers, and a man of sterling integrity and 
progressive spirit, is Mr. Clark, whose manliness and courage but reflect the 
noble qualities possessed by his immediate ancestors. His father, William 
Clark, a farmer, was horn in Jersey City, X. J., and served faithfully in the 
War of 1812, while his grandfather, Iehahod Clark, was most active in the war 
of the Revolution. Abraham Clark, his great-grandfather, was prominent in 
executive affairs during the period of the Revolution, having been one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

seph Clark was horn January 19, 1823. in Jersey City, X. J., and spent 
his youth on his father's farm, emigrating in 1852 to California, via Cape Horn 
in the steamer City of Pittsburg, which was later destroyed by tire in the 
harhor of Valparaiso, Chile. Completing his journey on the barque Velos. 
which landed at San Francisco in December, 1852. Mr. (lark engaged in min- 
ing in Placer county. In 1854 he established a mercantile store in San Fran- 
cisco, on (lay street, his efforts meeting with great success. In 1882 he became 
a manufacturer of flour sacks, having contracted with the Star mills to supply 
all the hags for their product. In 1895, however, he disposed of his business 
at a good profit, and now he live- retired at No. 510 Grant street. South 
Yal' 

A life long Republican, Mr. Clark has ever evinced a keen interest in 
political matters, and in civic movement- ha- ever been prompt to respond to 
the hes' of his ability. In San Francisco he became a member of Magnolia 
Lodge Mo. 2 ( >. I. O. ( ). !•".. the generous principles of which organization he has 
always endeavored to exemplify in his life. 



454 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

EDGAR HAUN, M. D. 

The medical profession, which he entered in early maturity and to which 
he gave the long years of an unusually busy and helpful life, afforded Dr. 
Haun an admirable outlet for his humanitarian views and kindly heart as well 
as enabling him to develop the superior mental faculties with which he was 
endowed. With the exception of a brief experience as a practitioner in Mich- 
igan, his entire professional career was passed in California. Here it was that 
he established a reputation for skill in diagnosis, success in the treatment of 
disease and progressive ideas in materia medica. More than all things else 
he was practical in professional work and in his citizenship. 

Born at Aylmer, Ontario, Canada, in 1837, Dr. Edgar Haun received ex- 
cellent advantages in his native land and in Michigan. It was his privilege to 
study medicine in the medical department of the famous university at Ann 
Arbor and after the completion of the required course he took up professional 
practice in Michigan, but during the year 1862 he joined a party bound across 
the plains for California. Arriving in Sierra county, he began the practice of 
medicine in the Sierra valley and soon became known as a young physician of 
superior attainments. For a considerable period he had charge of a growing 
practice in that valley, but the inducements offered by Napa led him to this city 
in 1878 and here he engaged in practice until his death, which occurred Janu- 
ary 23, 1901. Both as a physician and as a citizen he was prominently identified 
with civic affairs. For years he was a member of the board of examining phy- 
sicians for pensions. As a member of the city and county boards of health he 
devoted the most rigid attention to the interests of the public health. The 
county received valuable service from him as coroner and county physician, 
while the city had the benefit of his intelligent aid as a member of the board 
of trustees. 

The marriage of Dr. Haun, solemnized in 1867, united him with Miss 
Ella Keyes, a native of Boston, Mass., and a lady of gracious, womanly spirit, 
to whose constant helpfulness he bore a ready testimony. Her father, Zenas 
Keyes, sailed around the Horn to California during the memorable year of 
1849. With him he brought a portable house that he erected near Marys- 
Anile on Barton's Bar. Later he embarked in the mercantile business at 
Downieville, Sierra county, whence in 1872 he came to Xapa and from that 
time until his death five years later he conducted a grain warehouse. It was 
his privilege to witness the growth of California through a period of nearly 
thirty years after the discovery of gold and he never failed in his devoted 
allegiance to the country, nor in his faith as to the ultimate prosperity of 
the state. Both Mrs. and Dr. Haun were patriotic citizens and did much for 
the early advancement of their community. Both were generous in helping 
worthy causes and stood on the side of morality by word and action. Sur- 
viving Dr. Haun are his widow and their four daughters, Mrs. O. Godwin, 
Mrs. C. A. Kather, Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Ray Hawkins. 

The personal attributes of Dr. Haun were attractive. In manner genial, 
in information broad, in business dealings honorable, in his home indulgent 
and in his citizenship progressive, he was a man whom to know was to re- 
spect and admire. His characteristics as a physician were those of intelli- 
gent devotion to the profession and skill in the treatment of intricate diseases. 
Fraternally he was identified with Malahide Lodge, F. & A. M., of his native 
city, and the Napa Lodges of Knights of Honor, Ancient Order of United 
Workmen and the Eastern Star. During the existence of the order of Chosen 
Friends he was a member of the lodge and his last words to his wife, just 
before his sudden death, were in reference to relieving the distress of a 
bereaved member of the lodge, which had disbanded the preceding evening. 
While he had been ill for a month or more with la grippe and heart trouble, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO A.ND X \l\\ COUNTIES 457 

he had manifested a marked improvement and hopes of his recovery were 
entertained. When the family were encouraged to believe he would soon be 
again strong and robust, he was suddenly taken without warning by a death 
swift and painless, leaving to the deeply bereaved family the memory oi a 
useful career, devoted to the amelioration of physical suffering and the wel 
fare of others. 



HENRY CLAY BLAKE. 

The father oi II. Clay Blake, Joseph Blake, was born in (iiles county, 
Ya.. in 1830. Two years later his parents removed to Michigan, where the 
family remained for six years. A move was then made to Iowa and the family 
remained there until 1849. In that year Joseph Blake allied himself with 
General Brown's company and started across the plains to the golden west. 
After wintering in St. Joseph, Mo., a start was again made in 1850. Finally 
Mr. Blake landed in Placerville on October 4, of that year, a man young in 
years and full of life and zest, determined to fight his way in a new country. 
After working in the mines for two years he settled in Suisun valley, but did 
more or less traveling around until 1861. In that year he was married to Miss 
Barbara Sears, a native of Jackson county. Mo., who came to California in 
1852. having ridden a mule all of the way across the plains in her grandmother 
Clayton's train. Her father, Samuel Sears, had died in Missouri in 1849, and 
she and her mother (afterward the wife of Col. R. C. Haile) came to California, 
locating first in Xapa and later in Suisnn valley. Joseph Blake took his first 
dinner in Solano county sitting on the bank of a creek that ran through the 
tract of land where Vacaville is now located. In Suisun valley he bought a 
part of the Berry ranch, on which he erected a cabin, one of the first cabins 
erected by a white man in that part of the country. On this place he began 
farming and stock-raising and so continued until 1883 with the exception of a 
few years, from 1861 to 1865, passed in Knight's valley, Sonoma county. In 
October, 1883, he removed with his family to Vacaville and purchased the 
place still owned by the family, and during that winter he set it all to orchard. 
Here he passed away May 16, 1907. Before his death Mr. Blake incorporated 
his estate as the Blake Fruit Company, of which he was president until his 
death, his widow then succeeding to that office. 

Such is a brief history of the outstanding events in the lives of the parents 
of H. Clay Blake of this review. His heritage is a goodly one. for he has the 
example of a worthy father to follow and the precept of a faithful mother for 
his guidance. He was born in Knight's valley, Sonoma county, April 25, 1865, 
and when an infant was brought by his parents to Suisun valley. Here he 
remained until 1883, then coming to Vacaville. He received his education in 
the public schools of Solano county and also had the opportunity of a course 
in Heald's Business College in San Francisco. After his graduation he 
accepted a position as bookkeeper, retaining this for one year, when he took 
a position with a corporation as superintendent of nurseries in Alameda county 
for one season. After relinquishing this position he returned to Vacaville and 
resumed the management of the Blake orchards, comprising one hundred and 
ten acres adjoining Vacaville on the west. This is all set to orchard, including 
Bartlett pears, peaches, plums, prunes and cherries, and taken altogether is 
one of the most sightly places in the valley. 

In 1893 H. C. Blake was married to Miss Maude Sharpe, a native of 
Boston, England, the ceremony taking place in Clay Center, Kan. Of this 
union there were born three children: Stanley, born 1894; Leonard in 1902. 
and Mildred Eleanor in 1904. Mr. Blake has risen to positions of trust in the 
place in which he resides. He is manager of the Blake Fruit Company, a 
director in the First National Bank of Vacaville, a director of the Vacaville 



458 HISTORY. OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Savings Bank, and has been director and secretary of the Vacaville Fruit 
Company since its organization. In addition to the offices mentioned he has 
held other positions that require the confidence of the public to maintain and 
discharge. Thus Mr. Blake has in no small degree won and maintained the 
confidence of many friends, for all realize that in this man, the public, whom 
he serves, has a dependable officer and a man who is ever ready to devote his 
attention to the progress of his community. 



G. HENRY PETERS. 

A native of Germany, G Henry Peters was born in Holstein, January 22, 
1833, and there he received an education common to the boys of his day. At 
the age of nineteen years he came to the United States, first going to Daven- 
port, Iowa. From there, in 1852, he walked across the plains to Placer county, 
Cal., where with partners he was engaged in placer mining near old Hangtown. 
Later on he took a claim and worked it on his own account and managed to get 
$1,000 out of it. He then came to Solano county, settling near Silveyville. 
Just east of the old town he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, to 
which he later added another quarter section, making his home place comprise 
three hundred and twenty acres. 

Mr. Peters owned the first hotel in Dixon and kept a great many boarders 
at the time the Southern Pacific Company were building their lines through 
the county. He ran a butcher shop in connection with his hotel business, 
which was the first shop of its kind in Dixon. He sold out the hotel several 
times, repurchasing it on each occasion, but finally disposing of it, he purchased 
sixteen hundred acres of land one and a half miles north of Vacaville and later 
set out a vineyard and an orchard and also built a winery on this place. Two 
hundred and sixty-five acres were in fruit and the balance was farmed and 
stocked with sheep and cattle. In connection with the Vacaville ranch he 
owned thirty-seven hundred acres on Maine Prairie, having purchased the 
same on half shares with a partner, Harry Peterson, but later he bought out 
the partner's interest and became sole owner. This land was used for sheep 
raising, the owner carrying about five thousand head of sheep on the place. 
Finding the oversight of the large property rather arduous he leased it to other 
parties, having as many as fourteen leases at one time on the estate. By this 
means the estate was kept as a whole until after his decease. 

Mr. Peters was married near Silveyville in 1865 to Katherine Scheel, a 
native of Holstein, Germany. The five children born to them were as follows: 
Henry, Charles A., Edward R., Anna C, and Emma C. Henry is represented 
elsewhere in this volume; Charles A. married Amelia Miller and resides in 
Vacaville; Edward R. married Sophia Aye. and they with their two children, 
August and Katherine A., reside in Dixon ; Anna C. married Joseph Schweitzer 
and they reside in San Francisco, with their two children. Hazel G. and El- 
vera J.; Emma C. married Walter Harris and they reside in Dixon. By a 
former marriage Mrs. Peters had one child, Dora Peters, now Mrs. William 
Glindemann of San Francisco, and she has one son, Melvern T. 

Mr. Peters divided the Vacaville land between his two sons, Charles and 
Edward, and they are stocking it and raising horses and mules. When the 
youngest son attained his majority the land was redivided satisfactorily among 
all the children, each one receiving eleven hundred acres. Mr. Peters finished 
his life work and ended his labors on September 21, 1894, having discharged 
his duties to the best of his ability. He was one of the most extensive land 
owners in Solano county as well as one of the sturdy upbuilders of this section 
of the state. Mrs. Peters makes her home at the old family residence on her 
ranch east of Dixon. She and her husband were members of the Lutheran 
Church and liberal contributors to all charitable enterprises. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIKS 459 

HENRY LEE CHILES. 

A native of the state, Henry Lee Chiles was born near Rutherford Sep 
tember 1 () . 1864, a son of Joseph Ballinger and Margaret Jane (Garnhart) 
Chiles. The family lived in Napa valley only a short time after the birth of 
the <"ii. when they removed to Chiles valley, and when he was eight years old 
they went to St. Helena, remaining there twelve years. The son's first educa- 
tion was received in the public schools, following this by attending the Oak 
Mound school in Napa conducted by C\ M. Walker and a competent staff oi 
teachers. In 1884, his father becoming ill. Henry Lee Chiles was called from 
school to take up the work on the ranch of his parents, comprising three thou- 
sand acres in Coyote valley, in Lake county. This new responsibility was dis- 
charged, with all the promise of former years, until his father's demise in 
lime 25j 1SS5; in fact, he continued its management until it was ultimately 
sold to Lilly Langtry. 

Returning to St. Helena after the sale of this property, Mr. Chiles took 
a trip to Southern and Lower California, having mining interests in the Alamo 
district. He had to leave this district, however, on account of the scarcity of 
iooA for his stock. Turning his stems northward he again reached St. Helena. 
He was elected a member of the hoard oi trustees of St. I lelcna and was serv- 
ing in the capacity oi president of the same at the time of his departure for his 
present home in Chiles valley in 1899. Here he has eight hundred acres of 
splendid land, acquired from his parents. In order to secure water rights, he 
petitioned the government and bought one hundred and thirty-eight acres, 
included in the above amount. He made all of the improvements, built a large 
residence, also scweral barns, and he owns the old mill and mill site used for a 
siding. Of the eight-hundred-acre tract, two hundred and twenty-five acres 
are under cultivation, and the remainder is used for hay and pasture land. The 
place is supplied with a bountiful store of running water, so that irrigation can 
be carried on and the annual yield of the land materially increased. The owner 
has about one hundred and thirty head of hogs, forty head of cattle, ten head 
of work stock and some sheep. He also raises a splendid strain of bronze 
turkeys and Wyandotte chickens. 

Henry Lee Chiles was married in Davisville, September 18, 1901, to Miss 
Maud E. Callaway, a native of Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Chiles there 
were born four children : Margaret E., Henry Lee, Dixie Eliza Edell, and 
James Ballenger. Fraternally Mr. Chiles was a member of the Native Sons 
of the Golden West until the parlor was changed, and politically he is a 
Democrat. Mrs. Chiles is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 



WILLIAM HENRY CHAPMAN'. 

One of the old pioneers was taken from among his associates when Wil- 
liam II. Chapman, of Napa, was called home October 22, 1901. He was born 
in Xew London, Conn.. April 5. 1830. Until the age of twenty he remained 
on the Xew England farm on which he was horn, and there received his 
education and early training in agricultural pursuits. Tn 1850 he came to Cal- 
ifornia around the Horn on a sailing vessel on which he worked his passage 
owing to lack of funds. The trip lasted seven months, and he remained in 
the state five years, spending most of that time mining at Mokelumne Hill, in 
Calavera^ comity. In 1855 he returned east and while there was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Lamb, a native of Connecticut. Together they came to Cali- 
fornia, via the Isthmus of Panama, the year following their marriage. With 
the idea of engaging in the bee industry. Mr. Chapman brought with him eighl 
hives of honey hees. one-half of which came through alive, and after carrying 
on the busine-> for one year he disposed of the same, trading for real estate. 



460 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Still undecided about making California his permanent home, he returned east 
again after a stay of eighteen months, and farmed for three years in his native 
state. For the third time he came to this state in 1860, locating in Browns 
valley, where he farmed for a number of years, then purchased seventy-five 
acres on West First street, Napa, where he lived and reared his family. This 
property he greatly improved, making of it a comfortable home for his family. 
He planted all the fruit trees on the place and the evergreen trees which sur- 
round the entire property. Twenty-three acres of the home place are in full 
bearing fruit trees. Portions of the ranch have been sold until it now com- 
prises thirty-five acres. The ranch is now conducted by his son, Lyman A. 
Chapman who is not only profiting by the careful management of his father, 
but is also managing the ranch with great credit to himself. In 1911 the 
home ranch was divided among the children, each now owning a portion. 

Though occupied with farming interests, Mr. Chapman found some time 
for other matters and served efficiently for six years as roadmaster of Browns 
Valley district. Fraternally he was a member of Napa Lodge No. 18, I. O. 
O. F. The children of his first marriage are : Frank N. ; William E. ; Emeline, 
now Mrs. D. McCord. of Tulare county; Henrietta, the wife of William Bart- 
ram, of Oakland; Flora, the wife of B. Clausen, of Oakland; and Georgiana, 
the wife of E. Leonard, of Napa. Mr. Chapman's second marriage took place 
July 13, 1872, uniting him with Miss Hannah Christenson, a native of Chris- 
tiania, Norway, whose death occurred February 22, 1905. To this union there 
were born seven children : Edward, Julia, Lyman A., Lena, Hazel, Edith and 
Helen. 



ELIAS BENDER. 

Not only is Mr. Bender a veteran of the Mexican war, but he further 
served the nation by his pioneer work in the development of the west. Both 
in war and in peace he proved a loyal citizen, true to every trust and equal to 
every emergency. In his later days he has lived retired, enjoying a modest 
competency equal to his needs and ministered to by his affectionate daughter. 
Born in Lancaster county, Pa., October 11, 1820, he is a son of Joseph and 
Susanna (Good) Bender. During his boyhood schools were few and he there- 
fore had few advantages, but by travel and observation he has become well 
informed. Leaving home at the age of twenty-three he went west as far as 
Illinois and secured employment in Galena. During 1846 he enlisted as a 
private in the Mexican war under Captain Crow and Col. John Hardin, being 
a member of Company F, First Illinois Infantry, which was sent south to 
serve under General Taylor. For two years he remained in active service and 
meanwhile he participated in various engagements, notably the battle of Buena 
Vista. Upon the conclusion of the Mexican war and the honorable discharge 
of the American soldiers, Mr. Bender was mustered out of the service and then 
returned to Illinois. For three years he made his home at Rock Island and 
meanwhile, in 1850, in that city he was married to Margaret Sharrar, an esti- 
mable young woman who proved a devoted helpmate to him until death termi- 
nated her kindly activities. One of the daughters also is dead, Mrs. Annie 
Hackle, and now there alone survives the daughter, Mrs. Mary Higgins, who 
resides with her father at No. 213 North Randolph street, Napa. 

It was during 1853 that Elias Bender made the long and perilous journey 
across the plains with mule-teams. Many privations were suffered and many 
dangers were met before the end of the trip was reached, but the young soldier, 
inured to hardships while at the front, stood the discomforts of frontier travel 
with fortitude. After a short stay at Marysville he proceeded to Napa and 
here he has made his home ever since. For a time he engaged in the shoe 
business. Later he bought block 2, Brown and Walker's addition to Napa, and 




f Z/^lyl^l^U^x. CC~ °{^ ( <y&s2^cs£~^£^-* 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\n NAPA COUNTIES 163 

thi:> he platted into lots, erecting a number oi cottages, which he rented for 
a number of years. Eventually he sold the property and turned his attention 
to the draying and teaming business, also carried on a market garden and did 

considerable work besides ;b a market gardener, Industrious and painstaking 
in his work, upright in all business transactions and loyal to local projects, he 

was a man of considerable influence in his prime. Personally he possesses 
admirable qualities. A firm believer in temperance, he carries his theories into 
actual practice and is proud oi the tact that in all his lite he has never chewed 
or smoked tobacco nor has he tasted of intoxicating liquors. Politically he is 
a Republican. 



GARRARD I.. G VRLICHS. 

\ native oi Missouri. Garrard L. Garlichs was born in Liberty, Clay 
county. February 16, 1872, the son oi Oscar E. and Cordelia (Payton) Garlichs, 
both natives of Missouri, and the former born in 1842. The parents were 
married in 1870 and to their union two children were born, G. L., of this 
review, and Elizabeth, horn in 1874. and who died in Vacaville in 1900. Oscar 
K. Garlichs was one oi the first grain and fruit growers of the county. It is 
related of him that he peddled his fruit around in a wagon in the early days 
of the industry. Later on he became one of the largest fruit shippers in 
Vacaville and continued in this business up to the time of his death, which 
occurred in 1908. 

For two years Garrard L. Garlichs remained in his native state and then 
was brought to California in 1874 by his parents. The family settled in Vaca 
vallev on a ranch and here the boy received his education, attending the public 
schools and after his graduation therefrom, took a course in the Hopkins' 
Business College in Oakland, Cal. His first occupation was in the fruit busi- 
ness, for when he was about sixteen years of age he was employed by the 
Porter Brothers Company. He has spent most of his life in the fruit business 
and is well qualified to inspire the confidence of his fellows because of his 
knowledge of this particular vocation. 

In 1895 Mr. Garlichs was married to Miss Genevieve Norton, a native of 
Yolo county, and to this union one child was born in 1896, Oscar L., who is 
attending school at Vacaville. Mr. Garlichs is today counted among the pros- 
perous ranchers of Solano county, owning three fruit ranches in this county, 
as well as one in Yolo county. All of these are in good condition and supply 
the market with different varieties of fruits. In addition to the management 
of his fruit raising projects Mr. Garlichs is engaged in the real estate business 
in Vacaville. where he makes his home. Politically he is a Democrat and 
fraternally he is a member of the Woodmen of the World, Almond Camp 177. 
Like his father, he is a man of his word, dependable in every sense of the term, 
and he has won the esteem and respect of all his associates. 



WILLIAM WATT. 

One of the historic and distinguished landmarks of Napa county is the 
adobe house erected in 1835 and occupied for a considerable period by the 
illustrious Gen. M. G. Vallejo as his home. While the house itself still 
stands, all else is changed. The environment bespeaks the prosperity of the 
twentieth century. The property, pleasantly situated three miles from Napa, 
now belongs to William Watt, a leading and successful business man of the 
city. Notwithstanding his interests in town he has established a home on 
the place, and has maintained supervision of the tract of two hundred and 
fifty acres comprising the estate. No finer ranch is to be found in the com- 



464 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

munity. The stock is in keeping with the ranch. Only the best grades of 
hogs and blooded horses are kept on the land and any stock that comes 
from the Longwood ranch is quite sure to display all the markings of 
pure blood. Horticulture has been adopted as a feature of the ranch work. 
A specialty is made of prunes and the thirty-five acres in this fruit usually 
produce an average of seventy tons per annum. Of late he has entered 
extensively into market gardening, irrigating by means of a pumping plant 
and making a specialty of cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower and potatoes, devoting 
about sixty acres to this industry. 

A lifelong resident of California and a native of Marin county, William 
Watt was born at San Rafael in 1880 and received excellent educational 
advantages at Thatcher's school in Ventura county, the Belmont school at 
San Mateo and the Leland Stanford University at Palo Alto. After leaving 
the university he entered the employ of the wholesale drug house of Langley 
& Michaels Company, of San Francisco, and for nine years he continued 
with the same firm. Upon resigning his position he came to Napa in 1906 
and ever since then he has been identified with the commercial development 
of the city. Since 1909 he has owned and operated the Ambrosia creamery, 
which originally was established as an ice-cream factory exclusively. Upon 
the acquisition of the property by Mr. Watt he fitted the plant for creamery 
and cold storage purposes and also put in a plant for the manufacture of 
ice, having a large capacity. The Ambrosia ice cream is manufactured by 
the brine system. The plant is equipped with twenty six-horsepower electric 
motors. 

The creamery wagons cover a route embracing three counties and 
gather cream and eggs. The latter are shipped to the large markets. The 
icream is used in the manufacture of butter, of which three thousand pounds 
is the average daily output. The cream is delivered to a station established 
at" Dixon, and from there shipped to the factory at Napa, where every facility 
is provided for its care. In all the work the utmost cleanliness is exercised. 
The highest grade of butter is produced and the superior quality of the 
output causes a steady demand at profitable prices. The manufacture of 
ice cream is continued as one of the adjuncts of the creamery. About four 
thousand gallons are made every month during the summer. Shipments of 
ice cream are made to summer resorts throughout this part of California 
and up and down the coast. Arrangements also were made whereby ice 
cream is shipped to China in cold storage on board the Pacific Mail ships. 
No firm in the west has a higher reputation than this for the quality of 
its ice cream and butter and the reputation has been secured deservedly, 
for the utmost care has been maintained in the factory to secure products 
of the finest grades. In his business dealings the proprietor has been exact, 
accurate and systematic. Honorable methods have characterized all com- 
mercial relations and have laid the foundation of a success justly merited 
and worthilv won. 



JOHN PRESTON GRIFFITHS. 

One of the old pioneers who did his full share in bringing order out of 
chaos and civilization out of ignorance that prevailed at the time he came 
to California may be mentioned in the person of William E. Preston, the 
maternal grandfather of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr. 
Griffiths was the son of David F. and Mary L. (Preston) Griffiths, both 
natives of Solano county. The mother is still living, making her home in 
Vallejo. Her father, William E. Preston, a native of England, came to 
California in 1851 and for about five years followed mining, after which 
he located on a farm in Contra Costa county and later in Sulphur Springs 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTIES 165 

valley, Solano county. There he resided until 1903, when he removed to 
Vallejo and here both himself and wife passed away in December, 1911. 

At the time of the birth ^i John Preston Griffiths, March 14. 1885, the 
parents were living in Benicia, Solano county. The schools of Vallejo gave 
him a good grounding in the essentials of learning, but an impatience to 

ciate himself with the activities of the business world shortened his 
school days considerably. While he was still quite a small lad he became 
a messenger in the service o\ the Mare Island navy yard in Vallejo. and 
after continuing in this capacity for a year and a half, was apprenticed at 
boat-building for five and a half years. It was at this juncture that he 
realized the need of further education than he had acquired in the common 
school, and as a supplement to that training he took a six-month course in 
the Heald-Dixon Business College in Oakland. 'The knowledge there gained 
was oi untold value to him. and has been applied in every position or 
capacity that has since engaged his attention. After the completion of his 
college course he went to sea as clerk for the captain of a vessel, and during 
a cruise ^i one year he had an experience that was as enjoyable as it was 
instructive, satisfying a long-felt desire to experience life on the bosom 
of mighty waters. Returning to Vallejo at the end of the voyage, he became 
interested in the insurance business, but after a year and a half he again 
drifted into work at the navy yard, this time as clerk in the pay office, a posi- 
tion which he filled for five months. At the end of this time. January 1, 
1910, he took up his residence in Fairfield and opened the abstract office that 
is now maintained under his capable management. He has five assistants 
employed to handle the business, which has grown to large proportions and 
i- now the leading abstract office in Solano county. 

In Xapa. April 22, 1911, Mr. Griffiths was married t>> \ 1 1 > s Rose M. 
Roberts, a native of the Suisun valley and the daughter of D. K. and Sarah 

I. (Sweitzer) Roberts, both being representatives of old Solano county 
families. Fraternally, Mr. Griffiths is a member of Vallejo Lodge Xo. 559, 

II. P. ( ). L.. and politically he is a Republican. His interest in the welfare 
and progress of Solano county is deep and sincere, as is manifested by the 
active co-operation which he gives to all measures which he deems will prove 
of public benefit. 



ALBERT SHUBERT. 

During a long era of commercial development, in fact ever since the 
manufacture of shoes became an established industry in the United States, 
its center has been in the state of Massachusetts, and even at the present 
time, when its factories have been brought into other parts of the country, 
almost invariably the men who assume their control have received their 
training under some of the skilled and resourceful manufacturers of the old 
Bay State. It was the good fortune of Mr. Shubert to receive thorough 
training in his native city of Worcester, Mass., and native endowments, 
supplementing skilled supervision, enabled him early in life to grasp every 
detail connected with the occupation in which now he ranks as an expert. 
By reason of his ability he was called to the superintendency of the Evans 
Shoe Company at Xapa. Since accepting the position he has given his 
attention to the enlargement and expansion of the business and has intro- 
duced into a wide popularity the celebrated Nap-a-tan shoes for sporting 
men. These have found favor both in the eastern and western states, where 
now salesmen are traveling in the interests of the company. 

The Shubert family comes of old Xew England stock. Peter Shubert. a 
native of that section of the country and now a resident of Oakland, Cal., 
served through the Civil war as a member of Company G, Fifteenth Massa- 



466 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

chusetts Infantry, and remained at the front until a severe wound in battle 
caused him the loss of a leg. After his honorable discharge from the army 
he was employed in the J. S. Nelson shoe factory at Grafton, Mass., but later 
turned his attention to the wholesale butter and produce business at Worces- 
ter, where he remained until his retirement from commercial enterprises. 
Prior to the Civil war he had married Miss Fannie Sonasac, who was born 
near Montreal, Canada, and who with him survives to enjoy in the twilight 
of life the comforts accumulated through years of energetic activity. 

Five now survive out of a family originally numbering eight children 
and of these Albert is the youngest, his birth having occurred August 26, 1867. 
Between the years of six' and thirteen he attended the public schools, after 
which he secured a humble position in the shoe manufacturing establishment 
of J. S. Nelson at Grafton. Beginning at the bottom, he worked his way up 
to a position of importance and meantime became familiar with every de- 
partment connected with the factory. x\fter ten years with the same com- 
pany he went to New Jersey as a cutter in a shoe factory, but after a time 
he returned to Grafton and secured a position as a foreman in the J. S. Nelson 
factory. His first visit to the west occurred in 1890, when he spent a year at 
Seattle, Wash. On his return to the east he took up manufacturing activities 
in New Jersey, but resigned in 1895 in order to come again to the western 
coast. On this second visit he spent one year in California, returning to 
Massachusetts in 1896 and spending two years as a foreman at Worcester. 
On leaving the position he came to San Francisco and in 1901 removed to 
Napa, where since he has been a stockholder and director of the Evans Shoe 
Company and has contributed to the upbuilding of the plant, which since 
1905 he has superintended. It is said that he ranks among the expert judges 
of leather in this country. Every department of the industry is familiar to 
him, every step of the work is understood and every improvement planned 
with conscientious care. 

Of the many responsibilities falling upon the superintendent none is 
more important than the originating and designing for the new styles of 
shoes, and in this intricate work he does his own drafting and cuts all 
patterns. The possession of a high degree of talent is shown in the success 
of his designs. The specialty of the factory is a high grade of welt and 
sporting boots. An output of three hundred pairs per day is easily secured 
by means of modern machinery operated by electricity and systematized so 
as to secure both speed and accuracy. The convenient arrangements of the 
commodious factory invariably attract attention from visitors and enable the 
superintendent to accomplish the greatest results in the minimum of time 
and with the least expense possible. The present expansion of the business 
points hopefully to continued growth in the future, and still larger successes 
than those already achieved. 

Since coming to Napa and establishing permanent citizenship here Mr. 
Shubert has erected a comfortable residence at No. 12 Center street, and this 
attractive home is presided over by Mrs. Shubert, formerly Miss Georgiana 
Baillargeon, who was born in Rhode Island. There are two sons in the 
family, Albert L. and Stanley Irving. For twenty-three years Mr. Shubert 
has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his 
association with the Knights of Pythias also covers a period of considerable 
duration. Politically he votes with the Republican party. Public-spirited 
and enterprising, he is enthusiastic in every movement for the betterment of 
Napa and personally contributes to the same. An affable demeanor and a 
courteous manner have won for him the regard of the people of his adopted 
city, while his recognized abilities in his special line have made his name 
familiar to shoe-manufacturers in many parts of the country. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTIES 169 

MURR \Y LEI » I Si I \M. 

The proprietor of the Hotel Sidwell of Rio Vista has not risen to his 
present position bj any favors of fortune, but rather bv his own persistence 
and industry. A native of St. George, Vt., born December 1 () . 1861, he is a 
son of Tiras [sham, who was born in Vermont in 1830, of English descent, 

ami is still living in hi- native state. I lis wife, who in maidenhood was ( a ir 
nelia Mills, was ni Scotch descent and dud in St. George, Vt., in 1871. Like 
most ^i the children oflils native town Mr. [sham was educated in the public 
schools, and later he was privileged to attend Williston Academy, in Williston. 
Vt. After completing his education he assisted lii- father on the ranch for a 
number oi years, or until 1879, when he came to California. 

On his arrival here, Mr. Isham was employed at farming and dairying 
for seven years. In 188(>. desiring to widen the horizon of opportunity, he 
went into business with his brother Henry, who was a butcher. For three 
years he was engaged in this business and made a success of it, and at the 
end <^\ this time he went to San Francisco and engaged in the livery business 
for himself. Sixteen months later he sold out and returned to work for his 
brother on the river at Courtland. lie then engaged in the carpenter business 
and later, in 1891. he began the business ^i pile-driving and wharf construc- 
tion, in which he is still engaged, and during these years he has constructed 
numerous wharfs and bulkheads, besides considerable levee protection. In 
connection with this business he leases two launches, the Limited and the Dell. 

Mr. Isham's marriage. November 6, 1902. united him with Mis- Sarah 
E. Sidwell. a native of California, born in Rio Vista on January 16, 1868. 
Her father, a native of Ohio, who died in 1885 at the age of fifty-eight years, 
came across the plains in 184'). and after the flood of 1862 he settled in Rio 
Vista. Solano county. He had the distinction of building the first hotel in 
Rio Vista. It was after his death that the hotel was destroyed in the big fire 
and his wife built the present Hotel Sidwell. In addition to being proprietor 
of this hotel and owning the pile-driving and wharf construction business, 
Mr. Isham is in partnership with Mr. Chandler, under the name of Chandler 
& Isham. This concern does a large forwarding and transportation business 
on the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. 

Mr. Isham is a member of several well-known orders. He was made a 
Mason in Franklin Lodge Xo. 143. F. & A. M.. and is a member of Solano 
Chapter No. 43. R. A. M., at Suisun. Vacaville Commandery Xo. 38, K. T., 
and Islam Temple. A. A. O. X. M. S.. at San Francisco. He also holds mem- 
bership in Sacramento Lodge Xo. 6, B. P. O. E. He has never sought nor 
held public office, and although a busy man, nevertheless is not too occunied 
with private affairs to give attention to things that concern the public welfare. 



JOHX THOMAXX. 

To have lived an honest life, with malice toward none and love toward 
all : to have so used the talents that have been given us that at life's close 
those left to mourn can truthfully say. "He hath done what he could." this 
is to have lived the life that is best; more than which king nor genius could 
do. Among such the name of John Thomann is held in loving memory by 
those who knew him in life. He was born in Pdberstein, Canton Aargau, 
Switzerland. January 30. 1836, and resided in his native place until twenty- 
two years of age. In the meantime, at the age of fifteen, he began working 
in a nursery, following this for two years, when he worked on a farm and 
on several vineyards until he came to America. 

In 1858 John Thomann set out from his native land and came to America, 

23 



470 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

journeying to California via Panama, and settling in Sacramento, where he 
engaged in the nursery and wine business. In 1859 he commenced the manu- 
facture of brandy and was one of the first to produce this medicine in Cali- 
fornia. He followed his business in Sacramento until 1874, when he came to 
Napa county and settled near St. Helena, where he built a large wine cellar 
and made wine. He also owned a ranch of one hundred and thirty-seven 
acres on Howell Mountain, part of which he planted to vineyard. The 
capacity of his wine cellar was two hundred thousand gallons. On his ranch 
he had a distillery, with a daily capacity of eight hundred gallons, used for 
the manufacture of brandy. 

To gain a better idea of the history of winemaking in California, we 
must refer to Henry Thomann, an uncle of John Thomann. Henry Thomann 
was one of the oldest of the California pioneers, having come to this state 
across the plains from St. Louis, Mo., in 1845, at the same time as the Donner 
party. On reaching California he entered the employ of General Sutter 
and later went to Sonoma and was with General Vallejo. Upon the discovery 
of gold in 1848 he was one of the first to engage successfully in washing 
for the precious metal, having received much valuable experience during his 
youth in washing the sands of the river Aare, in Switzerland, his native place. 
He was taken sick and had to return to Sacramento. In 1852 Henry 
Thomann established a vineyard at Sacramento, on land bought from General 
Sutter. This was probably the first vineyard planted in California for the 
purpose of wine making, the first wine being manufactured in 1856. Henry 
Thomann died in 1883. 

John Thomann was one of the best known and most public spirited 
men in Napa county. From 1880 to 1882 he served as supervisor from Hot 
Springs township. He was a director in the St. Helena Bank, the St. Helena 
bonded warehouse, the St. Helena Turn Verein, and a shareholder in the 
St. Helena Water Company. While in Sacramento he was a Democrat, but 
helped to organize the independent taxpayers party and was elected super- 
visor of Napa county on the Republican ticket. 

The first marriage of Mr. Thomann took place in Sacramento in 1862, 
uniting him with Miss Josephine Esch. She died in September, 1888. There 
were seven children born to this marriage, and of these, three daughters 
are now living. Annie, Mrs. Sig Selsback, resides on a part of the old 
Thomann ranch and also owns the vineyards on Howell Mountain. Laura, 
Mrs. Crappo, of Englewood avenue ; and Bertha, Mrs. Haskins, resides in 
Zinfindel. In October, 1889, Mr. Thomann married Miss Mary Miller, of 
Dixon, Solano county. On May 25, 1900, after having lived an active life 
that stands today worthy of emulation, Mr. Thomann died, leaving a widow, 
children and friends to mourn his loss. 



MILLER & CASSIDY. 

The senior member of the firm of Miller & Cassidy, Henry Miller, was 
born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1858, and in connection with, and subsequent to, 
his attendance at the public schools, learned and followed the trade of car- 
pentering. Desiring a field of less competition than presented itself in his 
native town, and wishing to contribute to the upbuilding of the rising com- 
munities of the far west, he came to California in 1889, and thereafter fol- 
lowed his trade in Alameda and other towns of the state. He came to Vallejo 
about 1900, and in the summer of 1905, formed a partnership in general con- 
struction work with George M. Cassidy, with whom he since has been 
associated. 

George M. Cassidy was born in Boston. Mass.. May 29, 1869, received a 
common school education, and after coming to San Francisco in 1889 learned 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 471 

the trade of carpenter and builder. In 1893 he came to Benicia, where he 
followed his trade until 1896, in which year he was appointed city watchman; 

and continued to till that position for lour years. lie then returned to his 
trade after locating in Vallejo, and in 1905 became the partner of Mr. Miller. 
with whom he since has carried on extensive constructive operations. In 
l l W Mr. Cassidy was united in marriage to Winifred Mooney, a native of 
Vallejo, and of the union there is a daughter. Theresa. Mr. Cassidy is active 
in several avenues of community life, and for several years has been a mem- 
ber of the order of Red Men. 

The firm of Miller & Cassidy have housed more people and interests in 
the town of Vallejo than have any two other men in the history of the com 
munitv in a given time. Their work has the reputation of stability and trust- 
worthiness, and is noticeable for due attention to the artistic as well as utili- 
tarian aspects "i construction. Of the buildings credited to this enterprising 
firm may be mentioned the flat building of John Whittaker, residence of 
Tudge Gentry, six cottages for Mr. Harrington: the Ray Shore Laundry 
building, the G. A. Bergwall block, the Mrs. Hobbs block on Marin street, and 
also on Georgia street, cottages for Mr. Brown, a double house for Miss Russ. 
two flats for Mr. Giout, two apartments for Mrs. Hayes, store and apart- 
ments for foe De Bonis, and many others. Roth Mr. Miller and Mr. Cassidy 
enjov excellent reputation as men and citizens, and have gained the unstinted 
praise ami appreciation of the best element of the community. 



THOMAS ANDERSON GRIGSRY. 

Xot only through his lifelong residence in California is Judge Grigsby 
entitled to identification with the Native Sons of the Golden West, but his 
membership in Xapa Parlor Xo. 62 gains added importance through the 
fact that he claims this as his native county. Among the people in whose 
midst his whole life has been passed he enjoys a personal popularity that 
indicates his fine qualities of mind and heart. Fair educational advantages 
were given him and ever since leaving school he has continued to be a 
close student of men and events, so that now he ranks among the best- 
informed men of his circle. Such broad knowledge could not have been 
secured, even with the aid of education, had it not been for his own native 
ability and keenness of mental faculties, which enable him to logically digest 
facts of importance and retain in his memory for future use records of 
dates, laws and bills not easily remembered by the bulk of the population. 

Very early in the history of the American occupancy of Napa county 
Terril L. Grigsby came hither. A record of his activities in this county 
appears elsewhere in this volume. His son, Thomas Anderson, was born 
August 27, 1857, near Yountville, during the residence of the family on the 
old Occidental vineyard. Primarily educated in the common schools, he 
later had the privilege of studying at Xapa Collegiate Institute under Prof. 
L. L. Rogers. With a desire to fit himself for commercial activities he 
entered Heald's Rusiness College at San Francisco and took a complete 
course of instruction, graduating with a high standing. While in the college 
he attracted the attention of other students and won the praise of his in- 
structors through his fine penmanship, which then was and still remains 
a model of accuracy, neatness and skill. 

Soon after his graduation from the business college Mr. Grigsby was 
appointed deputy county clerk under W. W. Collins and gave uniform 
satisfaction in the position. The books of the office furnish silent testimonv 
as to his neat penmanship and unerring accuracy. When he left the office 
it was to fill a vacancy in the position of justice of the peace and his service- 
under appointment was satisfactory to all. June 19. 1911, he took the oath of 



472 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

office and entered upon his duties as the regularly chosen incumbent of 
the department, since which time he has tried local law-suits and administered 
justice with an impartial mind and a keen intuition. In his work he displays 
a considerable knowledge of the law, gathered by habits of study and a 
fondness for following the development of larger cases in the upper courts, 
in which way he gathers a vast fund of information concerning legal matters. 

The marriage of Justice Grigsby took place in Napa and united him 
with Miss Leah Grigsby, by whom he has one daughter, Leah Belle. 

Mrs. Grigsby has been a lifelong resident of Napa and received a fair 
education in the city schools. Her father, Achilles F. Grigsby, a native of 
Tennessee, was a California pioneer during the memorable era connected with 
the discovery of gold. As early as 1850 he made his first trip to Napa. Three 
times he crossed the plains in the early days and on these trips he brought to 
California a number of thoroughbred horses from Kentucky, being one of 
the first to introduce such stock into the west, where eventually he became 
a prominent turfman. The infirmities of age obliged him to relinquish 
his stock interests and thereafter he lived in retirement until his death at 
the age of eighty-five years. Besides his identification with the Native 
Sons, previously mentioned. Justice Grigsby holds membership with the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Politically he has been active in local 
Democratic affairs, promoting the welfare of the party organization through 
service in important capacities. 



ALBERT CASPER. 

Doubtless few industrial organizations for the material development 
of Solano county have been more effective in working methods or more 
economical in management than the Vallejo Electric Light & Power Com- 
pany, which since its establishment in 1895 has built up a large plant, de- 
veloped an important business and conducted affairs in a manner both 
sagacious and profitable. Indeed, throughout the entire section of the coun- 
try it is not uncommon to hear the remark that this concern is the peer 
of any in the state as to management and sagacious policy. Evidence of the 
wisdom of the company in its economical oversight of the plant is furnished 
by the statement that Vallejo now enjoys the cheapest electric light rate 
of any community in the entire state. 

The former general manager of the company and the man to whom its 
early success may be attributed, K. Casper, was a native of Germany, but 
became a citizen of California w r hen a youth. By dint of energy and per- 
severance he achieved a marked degree of success. For a long time prior 
to his death, which occurred February 3, 1911, he held the responsible position 
of general manager of the electric light plant, whose constant upbuilding may 
be attributed in a large degree to his capable supervision. At one time he 
had built up an electric plant in Nevada City, which he sold in 1894 to the 
Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and the next year he located in Vallejo. 
While the city had at one time had an electric plant it had proved a failure, 
but nothing daunted. Mr. Casper planned a new electric light plant, and with 
his experience he laid the plans and built the present power plant, which 
proved a success from the start. In 1895 he incorporated the Vallejo Electric 
Light & Power Company, of which he was president and general manager 
up to the time of his death. After his demise his son became head of the 
company as president and manager. The plant, located at the foot of Ken- 
tucky street, is modern in equipment and machinery and is giving first-class 
satisfaction in every respect. The senior Mr. Casper is survived by his 
widow, who like himself was born and reared in Germany, but settled 
in California at an early age. Lpon the death of Mr. Casper he was suc- 
ceeded in the management of the plant by his son, Albert, who was born in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 475 

Nevada City, Cal., in 1883, and inherits many of the traits that brought suc- 
cess to liis father. Education qualified him For the responsibilities of the 
business world. Sent at an early aye to the public school in Vallejo, he 

here learned the first lessons of life and later lie advanced until he had com- 
pleted the studies oi the city high school, of which he is a graduate. At- 
tendance for two years at the University of California completed his educa- 
tional experiences and gave him abundant preparation for the responsibilities 
of commercial activities. For seven \ ears he ably tilled the position of 
assistant manager with the Vallejo Electric Light & Power Company and 
upon the death of his father he succeeded him as general manager, which 
important post he fills with tact, energy and rare intelligence. 



GEORGE MILTON FRANCIS. 

Among the men who have ever stood for the upbuilding of Xapa county 
is G. M. Francis, the pioneer newspaper man of the city of that name. He 
was born in Pontiac, Mich., May 28. 1844, into the family of Sylvester and 
Mary Ann (Gregory) Francis, the former having been born in Pittsfield, 
Mass.. October 12. 1805, and the latter a native of Williamstown, that same 
state, born February 2. 1808. Besides George M. there were three sons and 
one daughter in the household, he being the youngest. When he was a lad 
of four years his father died and he found a home with an uncle at Troy 
Corners, Mich., after he was seven until he was thirteen. His schooling was 
obtained at the district school a mile away from home and this he attended 
when he could be spared from the work about the farm. 

At the above mentioned age George M. Francis joined his two brothers, 
James and Jesse, in Potosi. Wis., spending the winter with them and attending 
the grammar school at that place. In 1859 he became an apprentice in the 
office of the Grant County (Wis A Herald, remaining until August of 1862, 
when he enlisted in Company C (the color company) Twenty-fifth Wisconsin 
Volunteer Infantry, He had just been made foreman of the printing office 
when he enlisted and thus surrendered plans he had made for a year's school- 
ing at Lancaster Institute. He served in the army until the close of the war, 
being with Sherman in his march through Georgia — from Atlanta to the Sea 
— and on through the Carolinas up to the surrender of General Johnson near 
Raleigh in 1865. He was on detail at Columbus. Ky.. at General Asboth's. 
afterwards Gen. A. J. Smith's headquarters: also on detail as inspector's clerk 
at General Mower's headquarters after the taking of Atlanta; was mustered 
out at Washington and was present at the Grand Review of Sherman's army 
in that city in IS' 

Returning to civil life Mr. Francis started the Butler County Argus at 
lUitler Center. Iowa, in 1865. This did not prove a paying venture and at the 
end of six months he sold out and went back to Wisconsin, secured employ- 
ment with the La Crosse Republican and was later made foreman of the job 
office of that establishment. In 1869 he came to California and made his home 
in San Francisco until 1870. since which time he has been a resident of Napa 
and one of the public-spirited and progressive men of the city and county. 
Upon locating in this city he purchased a working interest in the Xapa 
Register, a very small weekly paper. Shortly thereafter he bought a half 
interest and has since been connected with it and has built up a paying busi- 
- and for many years has published the Register as a daily newspaper. 

Mr. Francis is a Republican and has taken a very active part in local 
politics. lie was appointed postmaster of Xapa by President Arthur in 1881 
and served in that capacity until 1885. when a Democratic president was 
elected and he resigned. lie was again commissioned postmaster by Presi 
dent McKinley on March 9, 1804. and was continued in that office during the 



476 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

administrations of McKinley, Roosevelt and Taft up to January, 1910, when 
his resignation was accepted and the man he recommended was appointed his 
successor. Mr. Francis was appointed a trustee of the Napa State Asylum 
by Governor Waterman on March 11, 1889, reappointed four years later by 
Governor Markham, resigning the position when Governor Budd was elected. 
He was elected a presidential elector in 1896, when McKinley was the Repub- 
lican nominee, and as messenger carried California's vote to Washington and 
now holds the receipt of Vice-President Stevenson for said certified vote under 
the date of January 2, 1897. 

In 1904 Mr. Francis purchased the lot on which the Register building 
now stands and later erected the building which serves as the Register's home 
at a cost of $9,000. He has always been loyal to the "Boys in Blue" and holds 
membership in and was the first commander of Kit Carson Post No. 74, 
G. A. R., organized in Napa in 1885. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
church of Napa. 

In Lancaster, Wis., June 16, 1866, occurred the marriage of G M. Francis 
and Miss Eliza, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Horton, and of this union 
three children have been born : Mrs. Mildred Benjamin and Mrs. Ethel Rohner 
of San Francisco, and George H. Francis of Napa, who is his father's business 
associate. 



AUGUSTE JEANMONOD. 

More than forty years of active identification with the development of 
California, during the greater portion of which time he has been associated 
with the grape industry in the Napa valley, entitle Mr. Jeanmonod to a 
position among the pioneer horticulturists of the state. Possessing intelli- 
gence of a high order, this he has supplemented by close and constant 
study of horticulture from a scientific standpoint and as a result he has 
acquired a large fund of knowledge both theoretical and practical. On his 
home farm in the Napa valley he has a large vineyard of choice grapes and 
also has planted and developed an orchard containing one hundred trees. 
The thrifty appearance of the vines and trees speaks volumes for his oversight 
and watchful care and proves that nature qualified him for the occupation 
in which he has engaged with creditable success. 

Born in Neufchatel, Switzerland, May 8, 1840, Auguste Jeanmonod is 
a son of David Peter and Susan (Jacob) Jeanmonod, also natives of that 
republic and lifelong residents of the same. The family consisted of ten 
children, the eldest of whom, Henry, now deceased, came to New York 
City as early as 1844. The other members of the family were Frederick, 
Louis, Alphonso, Frank, Auguste, Christine, Augustina, Mary and Julia. 
It was not within the means of the parents to aid their children with educa- 
tional or other advantages. Each was obliged to earn his own livelihood as 
soon as old enough to work. Auguste, who attended the Swiss schools 
until he had a grammar-school education, worked in the employ of farmers 
in his native land until he was twenty-three years of age, when he bade 
farewell to home and friends and started for Australia. Going to London, 
he took passage on the sailing vessel Winfred, that rounded the Cape of Good 
Hope and cast anchor at Melbourne at the expiration of a tedious voyage 
of one hundred and ten days. Immediately after his arrival he secured 
employment as a helper in a vineyard and for more than four years he gave 
his attention to viticulture, in which he gained unusual proficiency. 

Having resolved to leave Australia for the United States and having 
closed out all interests in the far-distant continent, Mr. Jeanmonod took 
passage at Melbourne on the sailing vessel Lady Dufran, which after a 
voyage of one hundred and five days, rounded Cape Horn and cast anchor 
at San Francisco, October 8, 1868. Coming to Napa valley he bought a ranch 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 477 

of 'Mic hundred and sixty acres between Yountville and St. Helena, and as 
soon as possible he started a vineyard on the place. Disposing of the 
property at a fair profit, he came to the vicinity of Oakville and bought 
twenty-five acres for $8,000. The land was wholly unimproved, but possessed 
an unusually good soil and promised fair returns from grape culture. From 
that time to the present he has made a specialty of viticulture, in which 
he has been remarkably successful, having about twelve acres in grapes 
of the very choicest varieties. The larger part of the product is manu- 
factured into wine and stored in his cellar, which has a capacity of forty-five 
thousand gallons. The quality of the wine is choice and mellow and the 
demand steady, former customers having been favorably impressed by its 
purity, so that they have continued to patronize the brand. 

Since leaving the dwelling place of his parents Mr. Jeanmonod has been 
somewhat alone in the world, for he never married. Strictly upright in 
character and moral in life, he has sjven his influence to the cause of Chris- 
tianity, although not caring to participate in denominational activities. The 
Republican party has received his ballot ever since he became a citizen of the 
United States and he has been loyal to the welfare of his adopted country. 
In fraternal relations he holds membership with the Knights of Pythias. 



FRANK SAWYER CASE. 

The original identification of the Case family with California dates 
back to the era made memorable by the discovery of gold. The news of 
that wonderful event penetrated the maritime hamlet of New Bedford, Mass., 
and aroused the eager interest of a young shipwright, Peleg S. Case, who 
immediately determined to seek in the new country a home and livelihood 
for his family. He was a descendant of an old Puritan family. It was early 
in 1850 that he sailed to Panama. The trip to the isthmus ended without 
incident, but not so the subsequent voyage. There he boarded the old brig 
Triphena. which became becalmed on the Pacific ocean and spent three 
months in an effort to reach the harbor of San Francisco. Meanwhile fever 
broke out among the passengers and some died of the disease. But far worse 
than that was the impending fate of starvation hanging over the survivors. 
When the provisions were almost exhausted the captain locked up the scanty 
supplies left, intending to portion out a small amount each day, but this 
did not satisfy the starving passengers, who threatened to hang him and take 
charge of the ship themselves. By dint of great effort a mutiny was avoided 
and finally the ship entered the Golden Gate, where a joyful landing was 
soon effected. 

The first work secured in the west by Peleg S. Case was that of an em- 
ployee on the docks, for which he was paid $1 per hour, and later he engaged 
in mining at Grass valley. Nevada county, for two years. On his return to 
San Francisco he operated a pile-driver on the water-front and helped to 
lay the foundation for a number of the streets in that part of the city. 
Learning that he had been bereaved by the death of his wife at their New 
Bedford home, he returned to the east to care for their little son, William 
A., and secured employment at his trade in his native city. There his second 
marriage occurred, uniting him with Miss Annie Upjohn, and they became 
the parents of two children, namely: Frank S. ; and Gertrude M., wife of 
Harry T. Stevens, of Yallejo. The son born of the first marriage is now 
deceased. 

When the family came to the west during July of 1868, Frank S. Case, 
wlio was born at New Bedford, December 20. 1866, was a child of two years. 
His earliest memories cluster around San Francisco, where his father opened 
and conducted a meat market. During 1872 the father brought the family to 



478 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Vallejo and secured employment as a shipwright at the Mare Island navy- 
yard, where he remained for many years. His death occurred at Vallejo 
during October of 1909. Upon the completion of his school studies Frank 
S. Case secured employment in a carriage factory at San Jose and later he 
worked at the Mare Island navy yard for three years, but in 1892 he turned 
his attention to agriculture, buying a ranch near Vallejo, where he has since 
devoted his attention to general farming. The farm which he owns and 
operates consists of ninety acres lying on the Sulphur Spring road, two 
miles east of Vallejo, and adapted to the raising of hay and grain. These 
are his specialties in the line of crops, but in addition he gives considerable 
attention to the raising of stock and to the poultry business, receiving 
through these varied channels of labor a neat return from year to year. 



EDWARD BROWN. 

The recognition of one's fitness and adaptability for a particular profes- 
sion or line of business and a fidelity in perfecting oneself in it have been the 
keynote to the success of the majoritv of men prominent in the world's 
activities, and this in brief may be said to apply fittingly to Edward Brown 
of Napa, well known throughout this part of the state as an expert stone 
and cement contractor. Early in life he undertook work of this character, 
and finding it congenial and possible of development, he has adhered to it 
ever since, in the meantime enlarging his field of usefulness from the heaviest 
construction to the most delicate sculpture on monuments. 

Mr. Brown is proud to be called a native son of California. On both 
the paternal and maternal sides of the family he is of Irish descent, his parents, 
Lawrence and Mary (Cotterborn) Brown, both being natives of Ireland. 
Among the early immigrants to these shores in the period following the 
discovery of gold in California was Lawrence Brown, who came to this 
state in 1854, by way of Panama. If he undertook mining at that time the 
records do not make mention of it, but it is known that he came to Napa 
county during the above-mentioned year and enthusiastically undertook the 
redemption of a tract of raw land in what is now known as Browns valley. 
His determination and perseverance resulted in the development of a valuable 
ranch, the proceeds from which enabled him to pass his last days in retire- 
ment in Napa, where his death occurred in 1888, while his, wife survived 
him ten years. 

The fourth oldest of the seven children comprising the parental family, 
Edward Brown was educated in the public schools of Napa and subsequently 
was privileged to attend private schools in San Francisco. In 1896 he began 
his business career by undertaking work in stone and cement construction, 
a business which he has developed to large proportions in the years that 
have since elapsed, and in addition to his yard and office on Third street, 
Napa, he also maintains a yard and office in Vallejo, at No. 506 Georgia 
street. In addition to general stone and cement construction, such as side- 
walks, vaults, etc., he is also equipped to mark and erect monuments and 
tablets, and place mantels, tiling and mosaic work of all descriptions. Not 
only is Mr. Brown an expert in the practical part of his business, but his 
artistic nature is given expression in drawing his own plans and designs, 
which are appreciated and readily appropriated by those in need of his 
services. Some of his work in the line of architectural sculpture may be 
seen on the Spreckles Music Stand in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, and 
the Herman W. Hellman Building, Los Angeles. One of the most artistic 
pieces of his handiwork may be seen in Tulocay Cemetery, Napa, in the 
Almada monument, which is universally recognized as one of the most 
beautiful specimens of monumental sculpture in the west. His design was 




tfH-as+u h9 l^cJu-&^^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND X \!'\ nHWTlES 4<s^ 

submitted in competition with seventeen others, and the fad thai preference 
was readilj given to his work speaks volumes for his artistic ability. The 
completed monument is an excellent example of his versatility, ranging from 
delicate and rare carving to the suhstantial masonry which holds the shaft in 
place. 

\\>t only is Mr. Brown a success in the general acceptation of thai word, 
but he is a gentleman and scholar, one whom it is a delight to meet and to 
claim as friend. 



MERRITT G. WINCHELL. 

To those wlu« in the pioneer era eagerly and daringly planted their homes 
beyond civilization's remotest boundaries, there came the successive experi- 
ences of hardships bravely surmounted, labor long unrewarded, patriotic serv- 
ice long unrecognized and eventually, if all fared well, prosperity and success 
and the comforts oi existence in a tranquil old age. In its integral elements 
the life of Merritt G. Winched did not differ from the lives of thousands of 
pioneers who at the same time were laboring to develop the west. Born in 
New York state in 1829. deceased in California in 1901. he gave to our western 
commonwealth his years of activity and mature intelligence, and to Vallejo, 
where he made his home after 1867. he gave the gratuitous service of a public- 
spirited citizen and the energetic capabilities of a progressive business man. 
The counselor of the young and the companion of the aged, he had friends 
among all, and at his passing there was a common feeling of bereavement and 
regret in the citizenship of his home town. 

The series of removals that ultimately brought Mr. Winchell to Vallejo 
began when he was a small boy and accompanied his parents from York state 

he frontier prairies of Illinois. The family entered land near Aurora and 
he gave his time and energies to the development of the farm. It was not 
- ; ble for him to attend school regularly, even if there had been any institu- 
tions of learning within convenient distance, but he acquired a fair education 
through his own efforts, supplementing such instruction as the country 
teachers gave him. During early life he served an apprenticeship to the trade 
of a tinsmith and then worked as a journeyman in the home neighborhood. 
Fortified by the knowledge of a trade, he established a home of his own, his 
wife being Miss Mary Wilsey, a friend of his boyhood years, she being a 
native of Madison county. N. Y. 

The marriage was solemnized during July of 1851 and in the spring of the 
following year the young couple started for California, overland with ox teams, 
arriving at their destination six months later. The train with which they 
traveled comprised only three wagons, yet they escaped any encounters with 
the Indians and reached their destination in safety. It had been the intention 
of the young emigrant to seek employment in the mines, but when he reached 
Placer county he found mining impracticable on account of recent heavy rains, 
and therefore in the spring he went on to Yolo county, where he opened a 
mercantile store at Cacheville. Afterward he removed to Colusa county and 
for five years engaged in raising sheep. At first he met with considerable 
success, but ill fortune befell him eventually. During the last year snow one 
foot deep remained on the ground for three days, an occurrence never known 
to happen before in that part of the state. A drought followed in the spring 
and he was obliged to dispose of the sheep by driving them to Oregon. On 
his return he settled in Eldorado comity and operated a quartz mill near 
Clarksville. disposing of that enterprise upon his removal to Vallejo in 1867. 
In this town he first found employment as a tinner and later opened a hard- 
ware store in partnership with J. C. Edgcumbe. After an interval of work 
as a boss plumber at Mare Island navy yard he returned to the hardware 



484 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

business in Vallejo and took into partnership his son, Frank T., who died in 
November. 1911, later turning his interests over to the other son, Charles L., 
by whom it is now conducted. From that time he lived retired until his death. 
On the organization of the Vallejo camp of Red Men he became a charter 
member and afterward retained a warm interest in lodge activities. Local 
movements for the general welfare received his hearty support and in every 
enterprise of importance to the town he proved himself loyal and progressive. 
His own daughter, Flora E., died in early life, and he has but one son surviving 
him. His widow also survives and occupies a comfortable home at No. 914 
Virginia street, where she welcomes the friends of her early years here as well 
as those later associates who have felt the helpful influence of her gentle per- 
sonality. 



JOHN BOON ADAMS. 

The career of John Boon Adams, a Kentuckian and a Confederate soldier, 
a man of stalwart principles and the courage and bravery to uphold them, 
came to a close on June 7, 1897, his span of life extending over seventy-six 
years. Mr. Adams was born in Kentucky and although he left this southern 
state when young, removing with his parents to Missouri, the Southern spirit 
and patriotism so filled this young man, that when the Civil war broke out 
he enlisted as a Confederate soldier under General Price and engaged in sev- 
eral skirmishes and battles. At the end of the war when the defeated army 
Was disbanded, the brave soldiers who had fought for what they considered 
right principles, returned to their homes, not disheartened or discouraged, and 
again took up civilian's duties. Upon his return to Missouri Mr. Adams was 
married to Miss Lucinda Terrell, a native of Virginia, and to that union six 
children were born : Robert T., Philip J., Wilson H., Thomas T., Mary E. and 
Lucy M. 

Mr. Adams made several trips to California, risking many dangers and 
encountering thrilling adventures on his various journeys. The first time he 
came with an ox-team across the plains in 1852, and returned via the Isthmus 
of Panama. Again in 1854 he came across the plains, bringing with him his 
family, his brothers and sisters and mother. He again went east via the 
Isthmus, and when he came west in 1869 it was by a more convenient mode of 
travel, viz., the railway, which had been built and put into operation in the 
meantime. In 1869 the family became permanent residents of California, 
settling at the head of Berryessa valley, where Mr. Adams took up a squatter's 
right of one hundred and sixty acres of land and devoted his time and energy 
to the cultivation of the same. By thrift and economy, he increased his hold- 
ings, adding continually, until at the time of his decease he was the owner 
of eight hundred acres of land. Having been born in the South, and always 
closely affiliated with Southern interests, Mr. Adams remained a stanch Demo- 
crat until his death, always giving that party his unqualified support. He was 
interested in all public enterprises and those things which made for advance- 
ment he was always enthusiastic in supporting. He took particular interest in 
the educational facilities afforded by the community for the schooling of the 
young, and for some time he served as school trustee. His widow survives 
him and lives retired on the old ranch which her sons are managing to her 
best interests. 

Wilson H. Adams, of Monticello, was born in Chariton county, Mo., in 
1868 and was one year old when the family settled in Berryessa valley. He 
was married to Miss Minnie McGinnis, a native of California and the daughter 
of N. H. and Mary (Johnston) McGinnis, who had come to this state from 
Missouri, where they resided before the Civil war. Mr. McGinnis was a Con- 
federate soldier and took an active part in the war. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND \.\1W COUNTIES 485 

three children : Letha E.. Minnie Edna and Yelma R. Much of the time since 
1887 Mr. Adams has been foreman of Reuben Clark's large ranch, managing 
that greal estate with ability and skill. On this ranch there are maintained 
one hundred and sixty head of horses ami mules, and annually there are 
raised from one hundred and fifty to four hundred head of hogs. The entire 
property consists ^n twelve hundred acre- of land. six hundred of which are 
under a high state oi cultivation. Politically, like In- father. Mr. Adams is a 
stanch Democrat. He fitted himself for the best possible usefulness in life by 
obtaining a good education, attending the Oak Mound school in Napa and 
Other schools, several times leaving his employ with Mr. Clark to further his 
educational interests. Still a young man. Mr. Adams bids fair to enjoy an 
even greater degree of success than has hitherto attended his efforts. 

JOHN GERLACH. 

Throughout a long period of identification with the business interests of 
Napa and an assiduous devotion to the blacksmith's trade, Mr. Gerlach not 
only built up in his line a reputation second to none, but he also invested his 
savings with such unerring sagacity that he became one of the prosperous 
residents of the city, and when finally death ended his honorable activities 
he left his family in comfortable financial circumstances. Not a little of his 
success was due to the cheerful co-operation of his wife, a woman of excellent 
business ability, who since his demise has not only retained intact the property 
belonging to his estate, but by wise management has added to the original 
amount and among other investments has erected a business house on Main 
street which she now owns. 

Born in Neiderweisel, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, March 17, 1855, John 
Gerlach was a son of Jacob and Katherine Gerlach and was reared on the 
parental farm in his native country. After he had completed the studies of 
the common schools he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade and from 
the first showed a natural aptitude for the occupation, in which early in life 
he acquired a remarkable skill. In common with the custom of his native 
land he served the stipulated time in the German army, later returning to the 
work of a journeyman. During 1882 he left Germany and sailed across the 
ocean on a steamer bound for New York City. After his arrival in the Ameri- 
can metropolis he there married Elizabeth Feiling, also a native of Neider- 
weisel. and a daughter of Franz and Margaret (Reigelhuth) Feiling, the 
former a cabinet-maker by trade. 

Crossing the continent to San Francisco and establishing a home in that 
city. Mr. Gerlach secured employment at his trade. In 1884 he came to Napa 
and opened a blacksmith's shop. It soon began to be seen that he was un- 
usually proficient in his line and his efficiency and skill brought him a large 
trade extending for miles in every direction. For a time he occupied a build- 
ing on North Brown street between First and Clay, but later he purchased a 
site on South Brown street between Third and Fourth. The trade that he 
established and held became the largest of its kind in the city and obliged him 
to enlarge his shop in order to secure the room necessary for the proper man- 
agement of the work. \\ "hile still actively carrying forward the duties inci- 
dent to his chosen occupation he died at his home, January 21, 1908, leaving 
besides his wife and children many warm friends and business associates to 
mourn his untimely demise. He is remembered as a man of true worth, of 
high principles and persevering industry, one who took pride in doing well 
every task brought to his shop and who would not permit even the smallest 
and most unimportant job to be neglected. Such men as these are a distinct 
addition to the business welfare of any city and besides gaining personal suc- 
cess they are helpful in the permanent progress of their communities. 



486 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Since his death the shop which for so many years was the headquarters 
of Mr. Gerlach has been rented to other parties, but it is still owned by the 
family, who also own a pleasant home at No. 5 Randolph street. The three 
youngest children, Marie, Anna and George, remain with their mother at the 
home, the eldest daughters having gone into homes of their own. Susie is 
the wife of Ross Stebbins and resides at Bakersfield. Louise married Arthur 
Van Pelt and lives in Napa. Katie married John M. Niccolls and makes her 
home in Bakersfield. During the period of his residence in Napa Mr. Gerlach 
gave steadfast allegiance to all movements for the upbuilding of the city and 
was a contributor to progressive projects, preferring, however, to aid in a 
quiet and unostentatious way and to give over to others the leadership of all 
such measures. A number of fraternities had the advantage of his identifica- 
tion with their local membership, included among these being the Independent 
Order of Foresters, the Herman Sons, the Eagles and the Foresters of 
America. 



DOMENICO CEREDA. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, in 
1873. At the age of thirteen he graduated from the school of his birthplace 
and the following year came to the United States and to California, settling 
in Solano county. For six years he worked as a laborer and then took charge 
of a ranch, managing it for thirteen years, when he bought a ranch of his 
own. and today owns six hundred and fifty-four acres of fertile land. His main 
business is dairying, he having built a $2,000 barn for this purpose, and from 
the one hundred cows that he milks, he supplies milk to the dealers of San 
Francisco. Twenty-five acres of the ranch are in vineyard, from which were 
gathered eighty tons of luscious fruit the third season. Seventy-five acres are 
in grain and hay. producing excellent crops. 

In 1893 Mr. Cereda married Miss Orsola Dedini, also a native of Switzer- 
land. To this union were born five children, Louis, Mary, Lucy, William and 
Emma, all of them attending school in Cordelia. The parents of both Mr. and 
Mrs. Cereda are living in Switzerland. Politically Mr. Cereda is a Republican, 
but has never sought office, being content to wield his influence in his own 
quiet way. 



SAMUEL W. BENTLEY. 

A resident of Vacaville for the past twenty-three years, Samuel W. Bent- 
ley has won the esteem of his fellow citizens by his upright life and efficient 
service in a public capacity. He rendered valued service as city marshal, 
deputy sheriff and constable, he is now engaged in general contracting and 
is also proprietor of Bentley's pool room and cigar store. He was born in 
Lawrence county, Pa., in 1869 and received a public school education. During 
young manhood he worked in the stave mills in Mercer county, and in March, 
1889, he came to California. For about three months, or until July 2 following, 
he was employed on a ranch at Shingle Springs, upon that date coming to 
Vacaville. His first position here was with J. R. Rogers, an orchardist, with 
whom he remained for five months, and for the following year he was in the 
employ of F. B. McKevitt, also an orchardist. With the knowledge and ex- 
perience thus obtained he felt justified in entering the business on his own 
account. Subsequently he rented the old Long ranch near Elmira, there mak- 
ing a specialty of cultivating fruit and grapes for six years. After a season 
passed in Oregon Mr. Bentley returned to Vacaville and was interested in 
road construction from that time until 1905. In that year he was appointed 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES ts-i 

city marshal to till a vacancy for one year, after which he was elected constable 
and held the office until January. 1911. Since that time he has engaged in 
general contracting. During the year 1"11 he completed Four bridges, one of 
which is tin.' Brink bridge, which with the single exception of the Solano- Yolo 

bridge, is the longest concrete bridge in the county. 

In 1892 Mr. Bentley was married to Mis-. Cora E. Siders, a native of 
Kansas, and they have two children, Ella and Lila May. Mr. Bentley's father 
resides in Rochester. Pa.; his mother died in August. 1911. Mrs. Bentley's 
father is deceased, and her mother makes her home in \ aca\ die. 

Fraternally Mr. Bentley is a member of the Knights of Pythias (in which 
he holds the office of chancellor commander), the Odd Fellows, the Encamp- 
ment, and the Independent Order of Red Men. A man of kindly disposition, 
he has many friends, and is looked upon as a most useful citizen. 



ANDREW BRADLEY MAXGIS. 

The birth oi Andrew B. Mangis occurred in Monroe county. Tenn., in 
1846, he being the son o\ parents who had resided in that state for some time. 
Four years after the birth of the son the family removed to Hamilton county, 
111., where the boy grew to young manhood, in the meantime receiving an 
education in the common schools of the time and place. When fifteen years 
old he enlisted in the army under Colonel Grierson, being a member of Com- 
pany, D. Sixth Illinois Cavalry, which was attached to the army of the Tenn- 
essee. The regiment patroled the Ohio and Missouri rivers and was also a 
factor in the famous Grierson raid from Tennessee to Baton Rouge. At the 
battle of Holly Springs. Miss., the lieutenant of the company was killed and 
Mr. Mangis was tendered the commission by the company, but he refused it. 
He engaged in many skirmishes along the rivers mentioned, being wounded 
at La Grange, Tenn., in 1863, and was mustered out at Memphis. From there 
he went to Indianapolis, Ind., where he attended school, and later on he 
taught school in that state and also in Illinois for eight years. Removing to 
Junction City, he taught school for one year and then engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, later proving up on a homestead and tree claim and making his 
home there for fifteen years. 

It was in 1888 that Mr. Mangis came to California and settled in Napa 
county near Calistoga. which has been his home ever since. Here he has 
ninety-three acres of hillside land in orchard and vineyard. Being in the 
thermal belt and above the frost line he has no fear of loss of crops by frost. 
Here he raises oranges and lemons, apricots, silver and French prunes, 
peaches, apples, plums, figs and walnuts, besides having twenty acres in 
grapes. Tomato vines grow the year round. Two hundred different varieties 
of fruit are represented on his place, and his exhibit has received the first 
prize. When Mr. and Mrs. Mangis located on this place most of the land was 
covered with timber and brush. Now it is a veritable garden spot and one of 
the most productive ranches in the whole district. 

Mr. Mangis was married in Wayne county. 111., in 1870, to Miss Eliza 
Anderson, daughter of Col. J. J. Anderson, who commanded the Eighteenth 
Illinois Infantry during the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Mangis the follow- 
ing children were born: William J., who married Mary Wilson, and has one 
daughter. Dorothy; Augustus O., who married Hattie Turner, and has one 
son, Augustus; Fleta P.. who is assistant secretary of the Oroville Chamber 
of Commerce; and Bert, of Willows. Cal. May died at the age of twenty-two, 
and Xora. Mrs. Abner Burke, died leaving one daughter. Winifred, who is 
being reared and educated by her grandparents. Mr. Mangis is a member of 
Governor Morton Post No. 41, G. A. R.. of Calistoga, of which he is past 
commander. Mrs. Mangis is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. 



490 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

LUCIUS STEWART NEWCOMB. 

Vallejo citizens will not soon forget Mr. Newcomb, whose enterprising 
spirit and untiring energy created upon the community an influence both 
lasting and helpful. Born in Batavia, N. Y., November 18, 1829, he removed 
with his parents to Akron, Ohio, where he received a public school education, 
later assisting his father, Capt. Nathaniel Newcomb, in operating a line of 
packets on the Ohio canal. Captain Newcomb's wife was formerly Sarah 
Luddington of New York, and both passed away in Ohio. 

L. S. Newcomb removed to Ottawa, 111., where he became storekeeper for 
one of the first railroads to pass through that section. In 1853 he removed to 
St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi river, 
until the opening of the Civil war, when, in response to the first call for volun- 
teers, he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Missouri Infantry, later being com- 
missioned first sergeant under Captain Hill and Colonel Morgan L. Smith. 
In 1862 he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability and 
was placed in charge of North Government corral in St. Louis, Mo., serving 
until the close of the war, when he again took up steamboating, emigrating 
in 1871 to Vallejo, Cal. Shortly thereafter he became proprietor of the Hotel 
Bernard, which for nine years had stood idle, and of which, to the admiration 
of his fellow citizens, he made a complete success. After twelve years he 
retired from active duties to a newly erected home on Virginia street, but on 
account of the distance from the center of town, purchased at the corner of 
Main and Eldorado a residence, where he resided until his death November 28, 
1906. 

Mr. Newcomb was married June 2, 1853, in Ottawa, 111., to Miss Mary 
Martin, a native of Oswego, N. Y., and a daughter of James Martin, a native 
of Kings' county, Ireland. He was a farmer by occupation, his wife, formerly 
Miss Bridget Buckley, also having been a native of Kings county. Mr. and 
Mrs. Martin, with their three children, immigrated to America, settling in 
Oswego. N. Y., where they conducted a farm until their removal to Ottawa, 
111. There Mr. Martin took up railroad contracting, continuing in this occu- 
pation until his retirement to Muscatine, Iowa, where he passed away at the 
age of eighty-five, his wife living to be eighty-seven. Of their eight children 
only three are now living: Mrs. Newcomb; Julia, Mrs. Gosting, of Westfield, 
Iowa ; and Anna, Mrs. Cummins, of Muscatine, Iowa. 

Mr. Newcomb served as commander of Farragut Post, G. A. R., his in- 
terest and ability materially aiding in the successful maintenance of that or- 
ganization. He was a Republican of prominence and in municipal movements 
was always one of the first to render practical aid. Mrs. Newcomb is the 
mother of two children, Lucius J., a hotel man of Los Angeles, and William, 
a molder in Muscatine, Iowa. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Newcomb 
has made Vallejo her home. She is a woman of rare attainments and is greatly 
beloved by those Avho are privileged to know her well. When president of the 
Woman's Relief Corps she was enabled to give adequate expression to her 
innate sympathy and tenderness and was untiring in her efforts to fully 
exemplify the principles of practical Christianity. 



HENRY BIRD. 

A life-time resident of Solano county, Henry Bird was born here January 
25, 1870, and here he grew to manhood familiar with the conditions contribut- 
ing to the local development. While comparatively a young man, he has risen 
to a creditable position among the business men of the county and solely 
through his own efforts, in the midst of somewhat discouraging circumstances, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 491 

he has established a business of considerable importance to Suisun, the town 
of it- location. 

The Bird family has been identified with Solan., county ever since the 
era of its early American occupancy and throughoul all of this region promi- 
nence is given to the name of John Bird, father of Henry, and an influential 
pioneer <>i Bird's Landing, where he and his wife Mill make their home, sur 
rounded in advanced years by the comforts earned during a long period of 
useful activity. Primarily educated in the public schools of Solano county, 
afterward Henry Bird was sent to the Sacramento Business College by his 
father, who desired him to enjoy the best possible preparation for commercial 
affair-. Upon graduating from the college he returned to Bird's Landing and 
entered the store of Bird & Dinkenspiel as a clerk. Me was then eighteen 
pears of age and for thirteen years he continued with the same firm, advancing 
to more important work as his capacity for business was proved by experience.. 

Upon his removal to Snisnn during February of 1902 I lenry Bird secured 
a position as bookkeeper with the Alden-Anderson Fruit Company and con- 
tinued in the packing house for several years, after which he was bookkeeper 
for J. K. Arm-by for one year. Early in 1906 he embarked in the creamery 
business. Misfortune befell him almost from the first. During July of the 
same year the plant was totally destroyed by fire. Undaunted by the loss, in 
( October following he resumed business and since then he has conducted the 
creamerv with growing success and to the satisfaction of all. As a business 
man he i- keen and capable, which fact is abundantly proved by his manage- 
ment of the institution established and maintained under his personal super- 
vi-ion. The Snisnn creamery was built up by his own efforts entirely and he 
i- the sole owner. Diverse interests must be harmonized, patrons must be 
guarded by the highest principles of honor and the most scrupulous care, and 
the business must show at the end of the year a profit sufficient to justify its 
continuance. In all these responsibilities he has proved to be the right man 
in the place and it is the hope of the people of the vicinity that the success of 
the past may be enlarged in the future. The business has grown to large pro- 
portions and the manufactured product is shipped principally to San Francisco. 

The marriage of Henry Bird was solemnized December 31, 1902, and 
united him with Miss Ida Mae Giddings. who was born and reared in Solano 
county and whose parents are still living here. For twenty years Mr. Bird 
has been identified with Bird's Landing Lodge No. 284. I. O. O. F., and mean- 
time he has passed through all of the chairs. Politically he votes with the 
Republican party in general and local elections. In addition to his other in- 
terests he is a director in the Bank of Suisun. in which he is a stockholder. 
For four years he served as trustee of Suisun and for a similar period he was 
clerk of the board of the Crystal school district of Suisun. meanwhile promot- 
ing the welfare of the district as well as the general welfare of the village. 



WILLIAM HERBISON. 

The opportunities afforded by Solano county find illustration' in the fact 
that within its borders are a large number of men who came here with no 
capital, yet have attained independence through their intelligent cultivation 
of the soil. To this class of citizens belongs William Herbison, who came here 
without means, secured employment as a ranch hand, and gradually worked 
his way forward until today he is the owner of a fine ranch of one hundred 
and thirty acres, about twenty acres of which is in orchard. 

Descended from Scotch ancestry, Mr. Herbison was born on the St. Law- 
rence river at Brockville. Ontario, Canada. February 1, 1849, the son of John 
and Annie 'Warren) Herbison. who were born in County Armagh, Ireland, 
Scotch parentage. Emigrating from their native land they settled in Brock- 



492 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ville, Canada, clearing a farm from a growth of beech and maple and making 
their home there until their deaths, at the age of nearly eighty-eight. By the 
time he was fifteen years of age Mr. Herbison had finished his studies in the 
local school near his Brockville home and was prepared to take up the sterner 
things of life. Leaving home at that age he came to California in 1864 and 
in Sonoma county first tried his hand at farming. Subsequently he became 
interested in grain raising and after coming to Green valley, Solano county, 
in 1888, he undertook ranching on a larger scale on land which he rented for 
four years. Confidence in his own ability grew with the experience of years, 
and in 1892 he felt justified in the purchase of one hundred and thirty acres of 
land near Cordelia, upon which he raises stock for his own use, but the chief 
interest of the ranch is the raising of cherries, only one-third bearing, but from 
which in the year 1910 he realized $1,200 net. He is also engaged in raising 
horses and cattle. 

The first marriage of Mr. Herbison in 1869 united him with Miss Sarah 
Gillespie, a native of Kentucky, and to them six children were born. Of those 
living we mention the following: Angie became the wife of Edgar Hyatt, and 
they with their five children make their home near Cordelia. Jennie is the 
wife of Joseph Neitzel, a fruit-raiser near Suisun, and they have three children. 
Lulu became the wife of John Dunker, a butcher in Cordelia, and is the mother 
of one child. Mr. Herbison was married the second time in Elmira to Mrs. 
Helen (Rowley) Cook, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio. With her parents 
she crossed the plains with ox-teams to Oregon in 1852. Her maternal great- 
grandfather, Joseph Wheeler, was a fifer in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. 
Herbison was reared near Portland and she spent many years in Idaho, coming 
to California in 1884. Mr. Herbison has never allied himself with any orders, 
and aside from serving as roadmaster he has not filled any public office. 
Politically he is a Republican in national issues, but independent locally. Not- 
withstanding his apparent aloofness from things of a public or social nature he 
is the embodiment of public spirit and no one in the community supports more 
heartily than does he, measures for the good of town, county and state. 



GEORGE PAUL. 

A native of England, George Paul was born April 19, 1858, a son of John 
Paul, also a native of England, who is still living at the age of eighty years. 
For twenty-three years George Paul remained at home with his parents, work- 
ing on the farm much of this time, for his educational advantages were meagre 
indeed. When in his twenty-fourth year he came to the United States, landing 
in New York. From there he went immediately to Rising City, Neb., arriving 
there on July 5, 1882, and in December of the same year he went to Kane 
county, 111. Three years later he came to California and on the same day on 
which he arrived in San Francisco he left for Suisun and has resided here 
ever since. His first employment was on a ranch in the vicinity of this city. 
On giving this up four years later he came to Suisun and bought a drayage 
and transfer business, which he carried on for four years. Selling out this 
enterprise he bought an ice and coal business and operated this until the be- 
ginning of 1911. 

In 1896 Mr. Paul was married to Miss Marie Nielsen, a native of Suisun. 
and they have one child, Anna Velma Paul. Politically Mr. Paul is a Repub- 
lican, but has never held office, and is a member of Suisun Lodge, K. of P. 
In July, 1909. he sustained a heavy loss when a disastrous fire swept the por- 
tion of the town where his property was located. However, this was soon 
repaired, which speaks well for his enterprise and indomitable spirit. He is 
now engaged in the grocery business on Sacramento street, where he built a 
new store building. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES \95 

ROBERT McQUARRIE. 

The birth of Robert McQuarrie occurred in Prince Edward [sland, NTovem 
ber 27. 1845. After serving his apprenticeship al the tanner's trade in his 
homo town, he went to Woburn, Mass., where he worked in a tannery until 
1869, when he came to California ^n one of the firsl trains to cross the con 
tinent. Arriving at Vallejo he at once wenl to work in the quarries of Mr. 
Dillon at Dillon's Point, where rock was obtained for construction work at tin- 
Mare Islam! navy yard; but he soon secured employment at his trade in 
Benicia in the tannery of Mr. Stewart. Finding it Lonesome here without 
friends he walked all the way to Suisun, where he had acquaintances, and 
worked for awhile there on the ranch ^i Captain Hewitt, lie was not unac 
customed to this kind of life, for his earliest years had been spent on a farm 
in his native country. 

The spirit of adventure and desire for varied experience were strong in 
this young man of inquiring- mind, so he next tried dairying on the ranch of 
Isaac R. Jewell at Petalnma. In this town, however, came an opportunity to 
take up his own trade once more in the Shaefer tannery, which position held 
his attention for two years. While in Petalnma he hecame quartermaster- 
sergeant oi the Huston Guards and went with the company to San Francisco 
to assist in the laving of the corner-stone of the citv hall, on Washington's 
birthday, 1872. 

Better opportunities offered themselves at the Porter. Slussinger & Co.'s 
tannery at Santa Cruz, so thither Robert McQuarrie went and remained eight 
years, later working at his trade in Stockton and in San Francisco. Return- 
ing in a few years to his old place in Santa Cruz, he soon found it possible to 
start in the business for himself, and his last adventure as a tanner was in the 
capacity of president of the firm of McQuarrie. Soule & Company. A few- 
years later finds Mr. McQuarrie conducting a grocery store at San Rafael. 
After selling this out he moved to YVatertown. Fresno county, where he 
formed an irrigation company that laid out. named and built up the town, and 
he also served as postmaster. We next find him returning in June of 1899 
to his starting point in California. Vallejo. where he has been engaged since 
that time in the wholesale and retail liquor business at No. 222 Georgia street. 
He was made a Mason in Glenlevit Lodge Xo. 16. A. A. S. R., and is also a 
member of the Odd Felllows, and of the Caledonian Club of San Francisco. 
He has always been a voracious reader of the best literature, and his book 
knowledge added to that gained during his varied and interesting career makes 
him a most entertaining conversationalist, and he is especially welcome among 
his lodge friend-. He has contributed numerous articles to the newspapers, 
and possesses a most unique scrap-book filled with facts and anecdotes of his 
eventful experiences in California. 



ERNEST C. HILLMAN. 

The German nation has ever furnished to America a most desirable class 
of immigrant-, one of whom is Ernest C. Hillman. who was born in the King- 
dom of Saxony. Germany. February 24, 1853. Not contented to stay in the 
old country, he came to America in 1871. at the age of eighteen years. Having 
learned the trade of miller in Germany he worked at his trade in Xew York 
and at the end of eleven months had saved enough money to take him to St. 
Louis, where he worked in dairies for five years, at the end of which time, in 
1X76. he came to California. After working for wages near Suisun, Solano 
county, for ten years and gaining a good knowledge of the fruit industry, he 
went to Lane county. Ore., and took up. land, but not finding this as profitable 



496 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

as he had anticipated, returned to California. After an extended visit to his 
old home in Germany he came back to California and in February, 1891, 
located in Napa, buying the place where he now lives, near the western city 
limits. He had no means of his own when he came to Napa, but he secured 
a loan and bought his place and by industry and persevering application kept 
increasing- his holdings until he now owns a ranch of thirty acres, which is 
principally in peaches, prunes and Bartlett pears. Seven acres are in French 
prunes, from which he realizes annually from forty to forty-five tons. Two 
acres of Bartlett pears produce twelve tons to the acre, and fifteen acres of 
peaches average sixty tons. These splendid crops attest the depth and rich- 
ness of the soil and its wonderful productivity, and it is a great satisfaction 
to Mr. Hillman that he has never had a failure in his fruit crop. He has re- 
cently added to his orchard by setting out two hundred pear trees and one 
hundred Gravenstein apple trees. 

Mr. Hillman was married in 1898 to Mrs. Augusta (Mundhenk) Schrater, 
also a native of Germany, and to this union have been born three children, 
Elsie, Florence and Frances. 



FREITAS BROTHERS. 

John E. and Joe L. Freitas are enterprising brothers now in business in 
Suisun. They are the sons of John L. Freitas and were born in Portugal in 
1886 and 1889. respectively. Coming to this country in 1892 with their father, 
the family located in Wyoming and lived there for seven years, during which 
time the boys had an opportunity to attend public schools and become familiar 
with the English language. Later the family came to California and settled 
in Vacaville, Solano county, where they remained for some time and then 
removed about eight miles south of Vacaville, on the old Dixon ranch. After 
remaining there four years they moved to Fairfield, where the sons continued 
their education, and later they were employed in San Francisco. In the latter 
city Joe L. Freitas took a course in Heald's Business College. After three 
years the brothers returned to Solano county, locating in Suisun, where in 
partnership they established a grocery business. After conducting this suc- 
cessfully for three years it was sold, in 1911, and since that time they have 
engaged in the men's furnishing and clothing business, under the name of 
Freitas Brothers. Not only have they one of the finest and most complete 
establishments in the county, but they do a fine business and are well liked 
for their geniality of disposition, as well as for their strict and honorable 
methods of dealing with customers. 

On August 16, 1908, John E. Freitas was married to Miss Josephine 
Gerevas, a native of Fairfield, and to them two children were born, Olinda and 
Francis. J. E. Freitas is a member of the Eagles, Modern Woodmen and 
Knights of Pythias, while J. L. Freitas is a member of the Modern Woodmen 
and the Red Men. These enterprising men have a splendid future before them, 
for their business is constantly growing, and as progressive, courteous and 
strictly reliable business men they deserve and receive the esteem and good 
will of their fellow citizens. 



HAMPTON SMITH GEER. 

One of the well-known characters of Berryessa valley was the late Hamp- 
ton Smith Geer, who contributed to the upbuilding of the community in no 
small way. He was born on Bear river, Humboldt county, Cal., February 9, 
1870, a son of parents who were both born in New York state. When but three 
years of age he removed with his parents to Napa City, Cal., and five years 
later came to Berryessa valley, continuing here the remainder of his life. In 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 497 

addition to a public school education he also took a course in the Oak Mound 
school in Napa. After completing this course he assisted his stepfather, 1 . S. 
Scribner, in the management of the ranch until the latter's death in 1901. 

Mr. (leer then leased the ranch, consisting of seven thousand acres ol good 
land located in the central and "northern portion of the valley, on which he was 
extensively engaged in stock-raising. The stock on the place averaged about 
as follows*: five hundred head of cattle, live hundred head of hogs, and eight) 
head oi horses and mules. This estate is one of the finest tracts of land to be 
found in the valley and is very productive, hence produce- a good yearly in- 
come. The following are the heirs to this property: Mrs. E. A. Scribner, 
Thaddeus Montgomery Scribner. Maud /. Scribner, Marquis L. Scribner, 
Hani V. Scribner, John B. Scribner and David C. Scribner. 

Mr. deer was married November 6. 1902, to Cleo L. Anderson, a daughter 
of John and Amanda (Clark) Anderson, of Berryessa valley, where they were 
fanners and old settlers. Mr. Anderson was accidentally killed, a railroad 
freight car running over him May 5. 1911. Mrs. Anderson resides in Xapa. 
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Geer : Fern Theodora. Bertram 
Raney, Waldon Smith and Geraldine Virginia. Mrs. Geer was born in Berry- 

and is the granddaughter of Abraham Clark, one of the earliest pioneers of 
this section of the county, ller education was received in the public schools 
of the vicinity and in the high school of College City. Mr. Geer was a member 
^i Xapa Lodge No. IS. 1. O. O. F.. and Xapa Lodge Xo. 832. B. P. O. E. 
Politically a Democrat, he was elected to represent the fourth district on the 
board ^i supervisors at the election of 1910. to serve for two years and finish 
the unexpired term oi William G. Raney. serving from January 1 until July 30, 
l l) ll when he died. At his death he left a widow and four children and 
numerous friends to mourn his loss. Me was a man of much worth and enter- 
prise and Xapa county in his death lost one of her noblest sons. 



JORDAX ROCHESTER HARLEY. 

Born among the historic surroundings of Kentucky in Danville, Boyle 
county. Jordan Rochester Harley received those educational advantages that 
were then in vogue and possible to him. As a young man he showed much 
promise for the future and commenced his life aright when he set out for the 
51 in 1857. with a mule team train, besides which he had a herd of eight 
hundred cattle. Being interested in mines he remained in Carson City for a 
while and drove two mule freight teams between neighboring cities. In 1862 
he started for California and ultimately located in Xapa valley on a large ranch 
of six thousand acres. The place appealed to him from the start and here he has 
lived for many years and has developed several ranches during his residence 
in Xapa county. 

Mr. Harley was married in Kentucky to Miss Cynthia Swinford, and one 
child, MolHe. was born of that marriage. His second marriage united him with 
Martha J. Christopher, and of the five children born to them one, Emma, is 
deceased. The others are X'annie, George A. C, Bessie and Frank. Nannie 
became the wife of Dr. J. B. Lawrence and the mother of two children ; they 
reside in Paso Robles ; George A. C. married Xellie May Gordon, of Gordon 
valley, and they have three children, Lotus. Frank W. and Elmer; Bessie be- 
came the wife of T. B. F r owler. who is in the stock business in Fall River 
valley; they had three children. Andrew and Roy. deceased, and Mabel. 
George Harley was appointed fire warden for the Berryessa district and con- 
tinues to act in this capacity. He owned the building recently sold to Swift 
& Co. Mr. Harley is a member of Xapa Lodge, U. A. O. D. v ,afiTPis past noble 
arch of the order. Politicallv he is a Democrat. 




498 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

JULIUS BLEAMEL. 

A citizen in the truest sense of the word, and a man in whom may be 
placed the utmost confidence, is Mr. Bleamel, one of Vallejo's rising industrial 
men. He is at present foreman of the Sperry Milling Company, having entered 
the mill as laborer in 1899. Born in Waldenburg, Germany, in January, 1861, 
he attended school until fourteen years of age, when he became an apprentice 
in the shop of a printer and dyer. Three years later he continued his occupa- 
tion as a journeyman, but in 1879, according to the rules of his native country, 
he entered the army, and after a service of three years was honorably dis- 
charged, October 15, 1882. 

Taking passage in December. 1882, Mr. Bleamel came to the United 
States, landing at New York and continuing to Paterson, N. J., where he 
resumed his trade. On September 6 of the following year he enlisted in 
Company K, Second U. S. Cavalry, serving the customary five years, after 
which he was honorably discharged, September 5. 1888, in the Presidio at 
San Francisco, having risen from the ranks to the office of first sergeant. 
Shortly after this he successfully passed an examination admitting him to 
service in the postoffice in San Francisco, where he remained until 1897, when 
he accepted a position in the engineering department of the city. During the 
Spanish- American war he went to Mare Island, where he was employed about 
two years, after which he took up his residence in Yallejo and entered the 
employ of the Port Costa Milling Comoany. now the Sperry Milling Company. 
He erected his residence in South Yallejo, on the corner of Grant and Lemon 
streets. 

In March, 1889, Mr. Bleamel was married to Miss Ida A. Seaman, a 
native of Saxony. Germany, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Seaman, 
who on coming to this country settled in San Francisco. Charles Seaman 
served in the German army during the Franco-Prussian war. He' died in 
San Francisco in 1908. Mrs. 'Bleamel was reared and educated in the public 
schools of San Francisco. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bleamel. 
as follows : Clara A., who was born in San Francisco and was educated in 
the grammar school of Yallejo and the Metropolitan Business College of San 
Francisco; Julius P., aged nineteen, who is an electrician at the Mare Island 
navy yard; Melvin. six years old. attending public school; and Alma, four 
years old. 

Mr. Bleamel organized the Herman Sons, the first German organization 
in Yallejo which is today the leading German society in Solano county and 
is on a solid financial basis. Mr. Bleamel's parents never left the old country, 
where they passed away some years ago. Notwithstanding the fact that the 
old home no longer exists, it is the hope of both Mr. and Mrs. Bleamel to 
some day visit their native land. A non-partisan in politics Mr. Bleamel makes 
it a rule to cast his vote for the man who appears to possess the best qualities 
for the federal position to be occupied. Single-handed, he has made his way 
through life, meeting discouragements and failures with a smile, always con- 
fident of ultimate success. That faith brings its reward is shown by his 
career, and no citizen of Yallejo is more highly thought of, more sincerely 
trusted, than is Mr. Bleamel. 



VICTOR C. MUNK. 

A native of Denmark, Mr. Munk was born in Bornholm, in 1866, and for 
twenty years he remained there, receiving the benefit of the splendid system of 
public school instruction for which his native land is noted, and also learning 
a vocation that would place him in a position to earn his own living. On 
arrival in New York in 1887. he came direct to California, reaching Suisun 
with only S2.S0 in his pocket. He commenced work as an employee on farms 



HISTORY < >F Si >LAN< I WD NAP \ COUNTIES 501 

and followed this until 1895, during this time accumulating the sum of $3,300. 
In tin- year iust mentioned he rented a (arm, and in 1897 bought one hundred 
and tin\ six acres, which he earned on successfully for six wars, when he 
purchased an additional one hundred and sixtj acres adjoining, the land 
being under cultivation when the purchase was made. He raises grain and 
hay, also horses, cattle, sheep and hogs for the market. Mis ranch is five 
miles from Suisun and contains thnc hundred and sixteen acres. 

Ill 1898 Mr. Munk was married in Sttisun to Miss Julina Reck, also a 
native of Bornholm, Denmark, and to them three children have been born, 
two of whom are living, \ ictor C. Jr. and Selma E. C. Mrs. M link's parents 
are deceased, but Mr. Munk's are living in Denmark. lie has been school 
trustee and clerk oi the hoard for four years, and is one of the hoard of di- 
rectors oi the Rochdale store that was organized in ] ( >06. He is a supporter of 
good roads and favors every good legislative measure that will better the con 
dition oi the country and its people. 



JOHN HENRY MUGRIDGE. 

Faithful throughout his life to the high ethical principles which he adopted 
in his early youth, Mr. Mugridge is acknowledged by his fellow citizens of 
Vallejo to be a man of superior traits, whose innate manliness and considera- 
tion tor others are well worthy of emulation. His father, John Mugridge, of 
New Hampshire, was a ship builder, successfully conducting a ship yard at 
Portsmouth, X. H.. until his death. His wife, in maidenhood Hannah Smith, 
was also a native of Xew Hampshire, and there too she died. 

John Henry Mugridge was next to the oldest of seven children and was 
born January 28. 1824, in Portsmouth, where he was educated in the public 
schools. Later he became employed in the navy yard as shipwright and 
caulker foreman, but resigned his duties in 1849 to take passage on the Eu- 
phrasia en route for San Francisco via the Horn. After a journey of six 
months he arrived at his destination, in March, 1850, after which he followed 
mining on Amador creek for six months. Removing to San Francisco, he 
followed his trade for four years, then returned to his native state, two years 
later again coming to California. In Vallejo he filled the position of foreman 
and caulker for the dock company until he became foreman ship caulker in 
the Mare Island navy yard, continuing in the service until 1896, when illness 
caused him to relinquish his duties. Since 1884 Mr. Mugridge has resided with 
his wife and son at No. 412 Caroline street. Vallejo, where they enjoy a wide 
acquaintance. 

On November 17. 1862. upon his third trip to his home in Portsmouth, 
N. H.. Mr. Mugridge was married to Miss Olive Dame, a native of that state 
and daughter of Daniel P. and Mehitabel (Towne) Dame, the father a car- 
penter and builder. Charles Franklin, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Mug- 
ridge. is a skilful carpenter in the employ of the Mare Island navy yard and 
is a man of sterling integrity and broad ambitions. Mr. Mugridge has ever 
been a stanch Republican, and although eighty-eight years of age is still 
deeply interested in the welfare of the municipality in which he has so long 
resided, and besides his comfortable home, owns other valuable property in 
the citv. 



GEORGE W. RANEY. 

A descendant of the pioneer rancher. Andrew Jackson Raney. George \V. 
Raney wa> born in Gordon valley, February 28. 1858. He was reared to farm 
life and was educated in the public schools of Napa county. He remained with 



502 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

his father on the Gordon and Coombs stock ranch until he became manager of 
his father's property and after the latter had located upon it. still attended 
to the active management of the place and since his father's retirement to 
Napa and his death, has been sole manager of the estate. His long residence 
in the valley and his active participation in public matters have made him 
many friends. 

The marriage of George W. Raney and Martha Janet Jackson, a daughter 
of Dawson and Josephine (Gaffney) Jackson, natives of Maryland and Ire- 
land, respectively, occurred in Napa April 23, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson 
crossed the plains to California in 1853, located for a time in El Dorado county, 
then removed to Gordon valley about 1858, and from 1868 to 1888 resided in 
Capell valley. Mr. Jackson's death occurred in Chiles valley, where his wife 
still resides. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Raney one daughter has been 
born, Loeda, the wife of John Gomez, who assists his father-in-law in the 
management of his property. 

Mr. Raney has been trustee of the school in his district for a number of 
years. The ranch of which he is manager is devoted principally to the raising 
of Shropshire sheep and Durham Shorthorn cattle. Sixty acres are in grain 
and ten acres in vineyard, the produce from the ranch being marketed at Napa. 
He is a man of high principles, always striving to carry out the ethics of the 
Golden Rule. 



ANTON MAESHNER. 

The story of the life of Anton Maeshner is that of a self-made man. He 
was born in Berlin, Germany, May 17, 1860, the son of a blacksmith, from 
whom he learned the trade and has followed it ever since. By diligence at his 
trade he was enabled to travel all over Germany, France and Scotland. Ac- 
cording to the German custom and law he served in the German army three 
years, being a member of the Big- Gun Horse Artillery. Not content with 
the outlook in his own country he came to America in 1890, landing in New 
York, and three months later came to San Francisco, there and in San Pablo 
working at the blacksmith's trade for five years. Then, in 1895, he removed to 
Napa county and bought three and a half acres in Brown's valley, two miles 
from Napa, upon which he set out thirty Bartlett pear trees and shade trees. 
Besides erecting a blacksmith shop, tank house and barn, he also remodeled 
the house. As indicative of Mr. Maeshner's industry it may be said that 
whereas he had only $30 when he landed in San Francisco, he now has money 
out at interest. 

Mr. Maeshner was married in 1894 to Miss Annie Wettenburg, a native 
of Germany, residing at that time in San Francisco. They have one son, 
Edward, now fifteen years of age and attending the Napa high school. Fra- 
ternally Mr. Maeshner is a member of Herman Sons and of Napa Lodge of 
Moose No. 516. Politically he is a Socialist. 



EDWAY MORRISON WALLBRIDGE. 

Although a resident of California only since the year 1900, Mr. Wall- 
bridge has become well known in business and commercial circles in Vaca- 
ville, where as a contractor and builder he has built up a good business. He 
was born in the city of Belleville, Canada, in 1848, and his parents, also natives 
of Canada, are both deceased. He was educated in the public and high schools 
of his native city, and at the age of sixteen began to work with his father, 
who was a carpenter, remaining with him for three years. After working 
for another three years as a cabinet-maker he was appointed superintendent 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 503 

of bridges and buildings on the Brockville division of the Grand Trunk Rail 
read. I'his important position he held for sixteen years, during which time 
he did much to improve the efficiency of the company. Resigning his posi- 
tion he entered the employ of the Rathburn Company at Ba\ Quinta, where 
he remained For sixteen years, resigning then on account of the failing health 
of his wife. He came to California and located in Vacaville and by strict 
attention to details lias built up a splendid business and is well known 
throughout Solano county. 

On June 4. 1867, in Sidney. Canada, Mr. Wallbridge was married to Miss 
Lydia Hearns, a native of Canada, and to this union there were horn six 
children, three o\ whom are living: William, now residing in Watertown, 
X. Y. : Ella, who became the wife '^i James Nicol, of Vacaville; and Hettie, 
the wife of R. B. Shipman and a resident of Xapanee. Canada. Mrs. Wall- 
bridge's father, who was horn in Canada in 1812. is deceased, while her 
mother is living in Solano county at the age ^i ninety-one. Besides his home 
in Vacaville Mr. Wallbridge owns property in Xapanee. Canada. Politically 
he is independent and fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order 
of Foresters and the Chosen Friends of Toronto. Canada. 



LEVI GEORGE. 

A native <^\ Wales, horn in 1832. when a young man Levi George left 
his native land and came to the United States, going first to Rome, X. Y. Six 
years later he went to Australia in search of gold and mined there for some 
time. From Australia in 1860 he started for California and after a trip of 
ninety-three days reached San Francisco May 10. I860. Xot readily finding 
work there he went to Sacramento, only to find similar conditions, whereupon 
he set out to walk to Benicia. Solano county, and there he secured employment 
in the harvest fields. From Benicia he worked his way north through Xapa 
valley, and for seventeen years he was employed on different ranches, perform- 
ing his work with a readiness and promptitude that won the approbation of 
his employers. He managed the John Finnell ranch at Yountville for six 
years, and then bought one hundred and fifty acres near Yountville and de- 
veloped the same by planting a vineyard and fruit and walnut trees. For 
nineteen years he farmed this place, raising many fine crops of fruit and en- 
hancing the value of the place by his industry and thrift. In 1903 he sold 
out and bought a small place higher up the valley, which he also later sold, 
and now lives retired from active work with John Greenwood in the Soscol 
district. 



LESLIE B. HEATH. 

From a statement made regarding Mr. Heath by one in a position to know, 
namely that he has the reputation of being one of the best horseshoers in Xapa 
county, one is safe in saying without further insight into his character, that 
he is a man who is thoughtful of detail and who performs to the best of his 
ability whatever he undertakes. A native son of the state. Mr. Heath was born 
in Healdsburg, Sonoma county. February 16. 1877. the son of William A. 
Heath, who was horn and reared in Augusta. Me., where he learned and fol- 
lowed hi-; trade of shoemaker. Early in the year 1877. before the birth of his 
son. he came with hi> wife to the west, settling in Healdsburg, Sonoma 
county. Cal.. where he followed his trade for a number of years, or until 
returning to Massachusetts in 1881. Fight years later he returned to Cali- 
fornia, his last years being passed in Xapa. where his death occurred. The 
wife and mother, formerly Mary C. Dane, was also a native of Augusta. Me., 
and is now making her home with her son Leslie in Napa. 

Of the three children horn to his parents. Leslie B. Heath was next to 



504 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the oldest and was educated in Lynn, Mass., and in St. Helena, Cal. Under 
the training of Al. Bruckman of Napa he began an apprenticeship at the far- 
rier's trade that continued several years and which thoroughly equipped him 
for the business which he had selected as his life work. For a number of 
years he made a specialty of plating thoroughbred race horses, not only in 
California, but in other states as well, and his reputation as an expert horse- 
shoer made his services in demand constantly. For about eight years he was 
employed steadily on the Spreckels' ranch near Napa in the capacity of 
farrier and as a trainer of thoroughbred horses. Upon giving up the latter 
position he determined to engage in business for himself in Napa and in 1907 
with his old employer, Al. Bruckman, he opened the shop which he still 
conducts. In the meantime, however, he had purchased his partner's interest 
and now conducts the business alone. His location on East First street is 
ideal from a business standpoint and he has built up a substantial business, 
one which his painstaking and conscientious efforts well merit. He takes 
pride in the fact that he has shod some of the finest bred horses' in Napa 
county. 

Mr. Heath is a man of sturdy principles, upright and just to all, and he 
is counted an acquisition to the citizenship of Napa. Fraternally he is identi- 
fied with Napa Lodge No. 18, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 



GEORGE W. CRYSTAL. 

A native of Indiana, George W. Crystal was born in Park county Febru- 
ary 22, 1846, the son of Richard S. and Delilah (Murrow) Crystal. Two years 
after his birth the family removed to Des Moines, Iowa, and there George W. 
Crystal received an academic and commercial education. This was the home 
of the family for a number of years, in fact it was in Des Moines that Mr. 
Crystal married Miss Sarah McWilliams, a native of Pittsburg, Pa. At this 
time many were crossing the plains and locating on the fertile soil of the hills 
and plains that stretched away toward the setting sun. Among those who 
made the journey in 1864 were Mr. Crystal, his wife and father, and their 
first settlement was on a ranch in Polk county, Ore. In 1873 they came over- 
land to California, and the following year they returned to Oregon, Mr. 
Crystal settling down to a general merchandise business in Dallas, Ore., for 
a time being associated with the firm of J. D. Lee & Co. In 1885 he returned 
to California and located in Napa for two years, then he went into the general 
merchandise business for himself in Yacaville. Solano county, where he has 
remained for twenty-one years, or until retiring in 1908. The business was sold 
to a brother, E. C. Crystal, who had been associated with the firm for some 
years, and other members of the family, who still conduct the same under the 
name of Crystal Bros. Company. 

The only child born to Mr. and Mrs. George AY. Crystal, Carl Clark, born 
in Napa in 1877, was married to Miss Edna M. Hays March 16, 1909, in Wash- 
ington, D. C. in which city the couple still reside, he holding a position in the 
office of the financial secretary of the United States Senate. 

Mr. Crystal has been a life-long member of the Christian Church, having 
been actively identified with its interests for over forty years, as was also his 
wife. On retiring in 1908 Mr. Crystal was made manager and vice-president 
of the bank of Vacaville, a well-known financial institution. Assisted by a 
good sound constitution and a devoted and affectionate wife, Mr. Crystal has 
been able to make a success of whatever business enterprise he has under- 
taken. Their happy home was saddened June 14, 1911, when Mrs. Crystal 
passed to that great unknown, mourned by her husband and family and her 
many friends, who loved her for her amiable disposition, loving Christian 
character and many kindnesses. 




TaP.N. C^nJ^CT 



HISTORY ( >F S< )L W< I \.\h \ \l' \ IUNTIES ; <'" 

\\ ll.l.l \.\! II. C( >RLETT. 

William II. Corlett, proprietor of the largesl planing mill in tins section 
of tin- l«a\ counties, was born on the Isle of Man off the English coast, March 
21, 1856, a sou of the late William P. Corlett, who established the family in 
California in 1875. For many generations the family had lived in their island 
home and it was then- that the death of the mother occurred, and soon after 
ward the father came to America, in Napa count} he established a planing 
mill business and was actively interested in the development of tins enter- 
prise until his death, when the sons, William II. and Robert, who had come 
to California with him, succeeded to the business and conducted it with marked 
success until they dissolved partnership in March. 1911, Robert then retiring 
from the company, the business now being carried on b\ William II.. of this 

review. . 

Mr. Corlett was educated in the common schools Ol his place ol birth and 
accompanied the family in their removals from place to place until reaching 
the Pacific coast. Ever since his arrival in Napa county he has been an inter- 
ested spectator to its development and has in every way assisted in promoting 
the best interests of the people and the county. In his line of business he 
has paid especial attention to architectural designing and has furnished plans 
for the Napa high school building. Elks hall. Martin's buildings. Schwarz 
and Charles Dryer buildings, besides many others in Napa. He has given 
special attention to residences, and among others we mention that of Frank 
Noyes, Captain Hatch. Hunter and others; at St. Helena are the G. W . Smith. 
Mrs. Vance. F. B. Mackinder. Mrs. Rowen and the Ritchie block. 

Mr. Corlett occupies a position in the professional and business world 
that is enviable, for he has made a decided success of his efforts and has 
directed them along the lines where they would do the most good, and they 
have had a far-reaching effect. He is well known throughout the bay section 
as a man of sterling worth and energy. He has served the city of his adoption 
with credit as a member of the city council three terms and eleven years as a 
member of the school board, acting as chairman part of the time. He has 
succeeded in building up a lucrative business and by attending to all the de- 
tails has won the respect and esteem of his workmen and customers. 

Mr Corlett was united in marriage in 1887 with Cassie E. Greenfield, a 
native of Nova Scotia, and thev have become the parents of four children: 
William G Tessie M.. Harry B.. and Edith L.. born, reared and educated in 
the schools of Napa. Mr. Corlett is a Mason of the Knight Templar degree 
and a Shriner. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
of Napa. In social and in business circles he has always tried to exert his 
influence for the general betterment of conditions, and he has always extended 
a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself. The success that he has 
met with is the result of his own efforts and there is no man in the city of 
Napa who retains the respect of the general public more than he. 



WILLIAM AARON RROWN. 



Among the substantial business men of Napa county is William A. Brown, 
a builder and contractor of this county for twenty-six years. Rorn in Logan 
county. 111., in March. 1838. he is a son of Valentine and Catherine (Edwards) 
Brown, both natives of Tennessee, who in 1820 settled in Logan county. 111. 
The mother was a first cousin of Robert Ingersoll. William Brown received 
limited school advantages, but in the school of life he has had a broad training. 
Among his personal friends of other days he claims Abraham Lincoln. On 
the breaking out of the Civil war. in 1861 he enlisted as a member of the First 
Indiana Heavy Artillery and saw active service in the battles at New Orleans, 



510 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

exercised for the benefit of his employers. For fifteen months he worked in 
San Francisco as a foreman in the erection of the stables and office building 
for the Wells-Fargo Company. In this work an immense amount of cement 
was utilized and employment was furnished at one time to four hundred 
workmen. 

Coming to Vallejo during the year 1907, William Betts entered the 
employ of the Scofield Construction Company, who had a contract for the 
completion of a dry dock at the Mare Island navy yard, a task that included 
sixty-six thousand feet of finishing cement work ; this was almost entirely 
finished by Mr. Betts. Soon afterward he formed a partnership with Clark 
Follette. who had been in his employ prior to his removal to Vallejo and who 
is widely known as an expert in cement work. Since the inauguration of the 
business during the early part of 1909 the firm has built two cement stores 
in. Fairfield for Mr. Silverstein, has had contracts for cement and sewer work 
for the city of Vallejo, built the banquet hall under the Red Men's block on 
Georgia street, also the cement work around the new city park, and did the 
cement work (a beautiful imitation of granite) on the new residence owned 
by Mrs. Costa on Georgia street. They built the first reinforced concrete 
building in Vallejo, the Greenwood building, a three-story structure on 
Georgia and Marin streets. They are the only contractors in the county 
having their own concrete mixer, which is used in all classes of work. It is 
worthy of note that they are the only Americans in the United States who can 
fill orders for the Terazzo and Mosaic work. Many miles of sidewalk and 
curbing have been built under their supervision and their contracts for sewer 
work have been unusually large and important. Materials are purchased 
direct from the manufacturers and shipped to Vallejo on board vessels wher- 
ever possible, in order to reduce the freight bills. During 1910 the firm used 
seven large carloads of cement and put in thirty-five foundations for buildings 
in Vallejo. 

Clark Follette was born in Kalamazoo county, Mich., and came to Cali- 
fornia in 1900. Having taken up cement work in Michigan, he naturally 
continued the business upon coming to California, working at it in San 
Francisco and Oakland until 1908, when he joined Mr. Betts under the name 
of Betts Cement Company. Fraternally Mr. Follette belongs to the Red Men 
and the Moose. 

The rapid rise of the firm is due largely to the business ability of Mr. 
Betts and his skill in handling important contracts. He permits no work to be 
done but the best. With his partner he works side by side with the em- 
ployes, directing their labors and superintending every detail so that the best 
resuits may be secured in the shortest possible time. In addition to managing 
the business, they take an active part in the work of the Chamber of Com- 
merce and Builders' Exchange of Vallejo. Mr. Betts also finds leisure for 
congenial participation in the activities of the Maccabees and the Improved 
Order of Red Men. Politically he votes with the Republican party. His com- 
fortable home in Vallejo is presided over by Mrs. Betts, formerly Miss May 
Berg, of Oregon, whom he married in 1905 and by whom he has a daughter, 
Dorothea. 



GEORGE G. DALTO. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Teggiano, Italy, July 26, 1875. 
When three years old he was brought to this country and lived in New York 
until he was six and one-half years old, then coming to California with his 
parents and locating in San Francisco. In this city he received his education 
in the public schools. From San Francisco he went to Gilroy, and remained 
there for about one year and then was in San Francisco until 1895, when he 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 513 

removed to Solano county. I lis firsl employment was on a ranch and the 
experience there gained was of great use to him in later years. He is now 
engaged in fruit raising on his own ranch of thirty-six acres. From his place 
came the first shipment of 'Tokay grapes that left the county for two years in 
succession, for which he received $5 per crate. 

On October 12. L902, Mr. DaltO was married to Miss Mary Filomeo. a 
native ^i California, whose parents were born in Italy. To this union two 
children were horn : Louise C. and Joseph John, both attending school. The 
parents oi Mr. Dalto were born in Italy, hut now reside in Vacaville. Mrs. 
Dalto's father died in 1905 and her mother is living in Vacaville on her ranch. 
Fraternally Mr. Dalto is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Vaca- 
ville. occupying the position - of recording secretary. Politically he is a Demo- 
crat. In addition to attending to the arduous duties of his ranch, he works at 
the carpenter's trade and is also engaged in the insurance business. He is 
serving as school trustee and has been clerk of the board for ten years. Pro- 
gressive in his attitude toward all things, he is an advocate of good roads and 
supports every measure that will benefit the community in which he resides. 



ALBERT CASES. 

A native of western France, born August 8, 1848, Albert Cases was 
orphaned at the age of seventeen, when a boy is most in need of the counsel 
and sympathy of parents. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the 
shoemaker's trade, which he followed in France until he was twenty-two years 
of age. Ambitious for a better business outlook than his own country offered, 
he embarked on an English steamer at Liverpool and in due time he landed 
in New York. From there he came to San Francisco in 1870, and from there 
was attracted to the quicksilver mines of San Benito county, where he re- 
mained for about four years, when he went to San Francisco and established 
himself in the shoe business at No. 1222 Stockton street. From there he sub- 
sequently went to the corner of Stockton and Broadway, continuing there in 
business until January 15. 1889, when he located in Rutherford and established 
himself in the shoe business. Since 1906, however, he has devoted his atten- 
tion principally to shoemaking. 

Mr. Cases was married January 4, 1876, to Delorme Malene, and two chil- 
dren were born to them, Albert W., who married Aggie MacFellie, a native of 
Sacramento, and Joseph L., a resident of San Francisco. 

Mr. Cases received his education in the common schools of his country 
and has turned his knowledge to account in his dealings with the world, as 
is depicted in the keen judgment exhibited in his investments. He came to 
Napa Valley January 15, 1889, and bought the lot on which his shop now 
stands, his other possessions being two lots with houses and barns upon them, 
some city property and money out at interest. Mr. Cases enjoys the distinc- 
tion of having the first shoe shop in Rutherford. Politically he is independent 
and is connected with the St. Joseph Friends, where his charities are centered. 



ROBERT CHARLES WATSON. 

Among the successful business men who have built up a reputation for 
honesty and uprightness of purpose, so much so that he has won the entire 
confidence and esteem of the people, is Robert Charles Watson, proprietor 
of the Arcade Stables at Dixon, who has been a resident of California since 
1887. He was born in County Galway. Ireland, and was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of his native place until seventeen years of age. when he came to 
New York state, remaining there about three years, when he came to San 



514 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Francisco in 1887. He immediately entered the employ of the old Market 
Street Railway and continued with the company through its successive 
changes. He ably filled the different positions and was with the company 
during the trying period after the earthquake and fire in 1906. All these years 
he had been -familiar with Dixon and its vicinity, having made trips here at 
various times. In the spring of 1908 he located in Dixon and in partnership 
with John L. Kilkenny purchased the Arcade Stables from Mrs. Jack Brink- 
hoff, and as his partner is actively engaged in ranching it devolves on Mr. 
Watson to manage the business, which he has accomplished to their satis- 
faction. They have also purchased and own the Fashion or old Kunle 
Stable, the two making a very complete and large equipment, and it is the 
concensus of opinion that they have the best livery in Solano county. 

Mr. Watson was married in San Francisco to Miss Delia Melody, also 
a native of Ireland, and to them have been born three children : Evelyn, the 
wife of Thomas A. Kilkenny of Bird's Landing; Robert and Francis are still 
under the parental roof. It is to such stalwart and honorable characters as 
Mr. Watson that the coming generation owes much and his record is worthy 
of emulation. 



MILTON CARPENTER. 

Among the men who were pioneers and successful in their line of business 
in Dixon mention should be made of Milton Carpenter, who was born No- 
vember 8, 1836, in Niles, Mich. He was the son of John Whipple Carpenter, 
who removed with his family to Missouri when Milton was a lad. In that 
state he was reared and educated in the public schools and at the age of four- 
teen began preparation for a business career by becoming an apprentice at the 
wheelwright's trade. His training was obtained under his father, who -was an 
experienced carriage maker and a man well known in that section of Missouri. 
After becoming proficient at his trade Milton Carpenter continued to follow 
it until 1855, when he determined to come to the Golden State, and the same 
year found him crossing the plains with ox-teams. Arriving safely in Sacra- 
mento, he soon afterward set out for Napa county and was fortunate in soon 
finding work at his trade. A later move brought him to Solano county, and 
locating in Silveyville, he ventured into an enterprise of his own, establishing 
a blacksmith and carriage shop. A later venture was the establishment of 
another branch to the business, namely undertaking, this being the first regu- 
larly established business of the kind in northern Solano county. When the 
Southern Pacific Railroad was completed and Dixon was founded he with 
other citizens moved his business over to the new town, which had a rapid 
growth and was soon classed among the established towns of the state. With 
the growth of the town Mr. Carpenter's business expanded in like ratio and 
he was compelled to enlarge his quarters to accommodate his patrons. As the 
years passed he built up a large business in the manufacture of carriages, 
wagons and implements, his patronage covering a wide radius in Solano and 
Yolo counties. Strict attention to details and a thorough understanding of his 
varied lines of business, coupled with a kindly manner, may be said to be the 
keynote of the success of the large business which was ultimately his, and 
which he continued to manage up to the time of his death, March 1, 1901. 

In Sonoma, in 1869, Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Carrie Mc- 
Cracken, a native of that place and the daughter of John and Rebecca (Brown) 
McCracken, natives of South Carolina and Missouri, respectively. Mr. Mc- 
Cracken came to California across the plains in 1846, making the journey as 
far as the forks of the Oregon trail with the ill-fated Donner party, and from 
that point he made his way to California. In the early 50's he returned to 
the east by the Isthmus of Panama, and upon coming back to California about 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTI1 515 

1852 he drove a herd of cattle across the plain-. He located al old Sonoma 

and established the first blacksmith shop in that section of the country. Uter 

following that business for a number of years, however, he gave it up and 

aged in farming and horticulture, continuing tliis until he died in 1870. 

Six children were born to Milton Carpenter and his wife, as follows: Willie 
\ . Milton 1'.. Charles L., Lulu. Rose and George I... hut ol the number Milton 
1'. and George 1-. arc the only ones living. 

Upon the completion of his studies in the Dixon public schools Milton P. 
Carpenter made preparations to take up his father's business, and with this 
end in view took up the study of embalming, graduating from the school ol 
embalming in San Francisco. Upon the death of his father he succeeded to 
the management o\ his varied business interest-, thus relieving his mother ol 
the responsibility. In the care and management of the business Milton 1'. 
Carpenter is assisted by his brother, George I... who is a graduate of the 
Henness) School of Embalming in San Francisco. By their thoughtful atten 
tion and courtesy, no less than by their accurate care of details ol business 
methods 'hey have won the confidence ^i the people and are accomplishing 
success in their different lines of business. 

In 1897 Milton 1'. Carpenter married Miss Margarel McDermott, and 
they have two children. Edward R. and Milton W. As a member of the board 
of trusties of Dixon Mr. Carpenter is doing much to advance the interests ol 
the city. Me is a Mason of the Knight Templar d«gree. 

Milton Carpenter was a stanch member of the Baptist Church, contribut- 
Hberally <^i his means toward the maintenance of the organization, ami 
his widow is still an active member of that church. In the death of Mr. Car- 
ter Dixon lost one of its most influential and progressive citizens. He 
- had the best interests of the city he helped to found at heart and was 
always ready to give of his time and means toward any project that had for 
its aim the betterment of the community. 



HEXRV K. DICK IX SOX. 

Occupying a convenient location two miles from the city of Xapa. and 
in the vicinity of the water works, is the White Orpington farm of ten 
acres, purchased in 1908 by Mr. Dickinson and devoted by him largely to the 
maintenance of the poultry industry. Four acres have been planted in fruit 
and form a valuable family orchard', while the balance of the tract furnishes 
the vards and range necessary for the care of the chicks. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have been successful to a remarkable degree in 
the poultry industry, although they did not find the path to success to be 
lined with eggs and chickens. Discouragements were many and obstacles 
formidable. At one time they paid $25 for a setting of eggs and were re- 
warded by securing three lonely chicks. I,, April, 1909, there were hatched 
seventeen pullets and three cockerels out of $40 worth of eggs, and this gave 
them their first start toward prosperity. 

When Mr. Dickinson bought the farm in 1908 he determined to embark- 
in the poultry business, and at once made a study of the different breeds, his 
decision being in favor of the single comb White Orpington because they are 
ery hard v. quick developing chicken, immune from climatic changes. They 
produce two-pound broilers in two months, and begin to lay when five months 
old. They lay more eggs per year per bird than any other breed and are 
known to be the best winter layers in existence. There is no other chicken 
which can compare with them as table fowls, the meat being white, fine 
grained, very juicy and delicious in flavor. A special feature is made of the 
lav: ins; a pen of seventeen pullets laid from November until May 



516 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

seventeen hundred and fifty-six eggs, the record for December being three 
hundred and forty-six eggs. Ten hundred and fifty eggs were incubated, and 
nine hundred and five strong, healthy chicks raised to maturity. 

It was Mr. Dickinson's good fortune to be able to buy eggs from Percy A. 
Cook of England, the son of Melville Cook, the originator of the breed. Other 
famous fanciers contributed to his start, and the result is that now he has a 
flock which he claims to be the best in the entire country. Already he has 
become widely known to fanciers through the production of a type of fowl 
unexcelled in its markings and justifying in its appearance a reputation gained 
as the "fashion" of the poultry world, while more important than anything 
else justifying in financial returns its reputation as a money maker for progres- 
sive poultrymen. Already this year he has sold a large number of baby chicks 
at fifty cents each. The culls of the flock have been sold in the city markets 
for table use. Cockerels and laying hens he sells at $5 each and pullets are 
sold at $3 each when four months old. Eggs per setting of fifteen, $5. Visitors 
are always cordially welcomed at the farm. 



HERMAN SCHIELKE. 

A native of Germany, Herman Schielke was born in Freistadt in the year 
1845 and was educated in the schools of his native land. After his graduation 
he learned the trade of cabinet-maker, continuing at this until the age of nine- 
teen years, when he responded to the customary military laws of that country, 
and for five years he served in the Fourth Company, East Prussia Pioneers 
No. 1. At the end of this time he was honorably discharged, having served 
through the Austro-Prussian war of 1866 and Franco-Prussian war, 1870-71. 
He was slightly wounded in the left hand and had risen to the rank of a non- 
commissioned officer. Realizing that greater opportunities were possible in 
America, he immediately came to the United States, September 15, 1871. For 
four years he remained in New York City and Paterson, N. J., and then, Janu- 
ary 31, 1875, he came to California, settling in Oakland. For four years he 
remained in that city and then bought a ranch in Bryones valley, Contra Costa 
county. Having an opportunity to sell out to good advantage, he did so and 
returned to Oakland. After a little while he bought a ranch in the Sonoma 
valley and for two years worked it. then selling it and returning once again to 
Oakland. His next move was to Solano county, where he bought a ranch of 
twenty acres in Pleasant valley, which he improved by setting it out to 
orchard. In 1909 he sold it and bought out a dray and transfer business in 
Vacaville. This he still carries on and he has the distinction of having the best 
equipped and finest outfit in the city. 

In 1874 Mr. Schielke was married to Miss Johanna Ludwig, who was born 
in Marienwerder, Germany, in 1856. Nine children were born to them, five of 
whom are now living. Henry H. was born in Oakland in 1876, and is at pres- 
ent manager of his father's drayage and transfer business ; Flora is Mrs. E. J. 
Bonnicksen, of Vacaville ; James W., born in Contra Costa valley, is a miner 
in Trinity county; Marie, Mrs. Ophaus, lives in Vacaville; Herman, Jr., is 
assistant agent of the Southern Pacific Railroad at Winters. Mr. Schielke's 
father died in Germany and his mother in New York, the latter at the age of 
one hundred and six years. Mrs. Schielke's father is dead, but her mother is 
living in Philadelphia at the age of eighty-three. Politically Mr. Schielke is 
an independent, as he believes in voting for the best man, irrespective of party. 
Fraternally he is a member of Humboldt Lodge No. 114, F. & A. M., of 
Paterson, N. J. He owns a fair amount of property in Vacaville, besides run- 
ning a very successful business, and is well liked by all with whom he has 
dealings. 





Ou\Ajlsu<— 



QjjJo^o-Jh 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND \ \r \ ( < >UNTIES 519 

WARREN ^NTHON'i WOODS. 

In reviewing the lives of prominent men of Solano county, Mr. Woods 
is deserving of especial mention not only because he has been a life time resi- 
dent y>\ the immediate locality *<i his present home, but because he has been 
one ^i the substantial upbuilders of the community. The son of one of the 

state's pioneer settlers, he was horn May 10, 1865, near Snisun. Solano county, 
next to the oldest of six children horn to his parents, John and Cynthia A. 
(Aldrich) Woods. His parents were tillers ^i the soil, and from his earliest 
years he displayed an inclination for and sympathy with the occupation in 
which his father was SO successful. With the close of Ids school days, which 
were passed in the schools in Fairfield and Snisun. he wisely took up the work 
for which he had been fitted from boyhood, which is equivalent to saying that 
he made a success of his agricultural undertaking. 

Mr. Woods was appointed postmaster o\ Suisun by Theodore Roosevelt 
on February 23, 1903, on the endorsement of Victor II. Metcalf. congressman 
from the third district i^i California, afterwards secretary of the navy, on the 
10th of December of the following year he was re-appointed by the same 
authority on the endorsement of Joseph R. Knowland, congressman from the 
third district, and again, on March 8, 1912, he was reappointed by William 
II. Taft, on the endorsement of Joseph R. Knowland. Now in the third term 
i^\ his office as postmaster, Mr. Woods is proving beyond a question of a 
doubt that he is the right man in the right place, bringing to bear in the dis- 
charge oi his duties a care, precision and watchfulness over the interests of 
the government which his responsible position warrants, and which the 
authorities thoroughly appreciate. 

When he was twenty-two years of age. Mr. Woods was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Lillie Pangburn, the eldest daughter of Henry and Adeline 
i Russell) Pangburn, of Suisun valley, the ceremony being performed October 
20. 1887. Four children were born of this union, and with one exception all 
are living. Robert H. was educated in the public and high schools of Suisun 
and Fairfield, and now holds a clerkship in the Solano County Bank; the only 
daughter, Inez, died of diphtheria, July 8, 1904; and Wilbur W. and Winston 
A. are now students in the public school of Suisun. 

Mr. Woods is well known in fraternal circles and is always welcome at 
the meetings of the various orders. His membership in the Masonic body 
dates from January 1, 1899. when he was made a Mason in Suisun Lodge No. 
55, F. & A. M. June 8. 1901, he was initiated in Suisun Chapter No. 43, R. A. 
M.. and on March 13. 1900. he was a member of Suisun Lodge No. 78, I. O. 
O. F. Mr. Woods is a friend of education and advancement, and is one of the 
most thoroughly reliable, both as to character and attainment, of any of 
Solano county's citizens. 



JOE F. LEMOS. 

For a lad of nineteen years to leave the comforts of home to travel to a 
distant land across the sea, a land of which he knew nothing, not even the 
language, it takes a courageous spirit and it was this fortitude, coupled with 
a venturesome temperament and a robust constitution that led foe F. Lemos 
to come to America from St. George Island, off Portugal, where he was born 
in April, 1868. His advantages in his native land were meager indeed, and he 
never attended school. 

Landing in Provincetown, Mass., Mr. Lemos followed farming and dairy- 
ing in that state for two years, after which he crossed the continent to Cali- 
fornia, settling first in Vallejo, then in Spring valley and finally in Napa, where 
he has leased eit,dit hundred acres of land, sixty being under cultivation, fort\ 

25 



520 . HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

in grain, fourteen in vineyard and the balance under the plow. Here he has 
sixty head of cattle and a dairy on the place, besides which he has hogs for 
his own use, sixty chickens and two horses ; a very comfortable and profitable 
ranch, beautifully situated in Wildhorse valley, Napa county, where he lives 
alone, for he is a bachelor. 

Joe F. Lemos was a member of a family of nine children, his parents, 
John Lemos and Mary (Cafio) Lemos, both being natives of Portugal. The 
living members of the family are Manuel, Carrie, Clementine, Rose and Mary; 
the deceased being Manuel (second), Mary (second), Joe F. and a baby. 
Clementine was united in marriage to Manuel August, residing in Oakland 
with two children, Mary and Rose, they having two children deceased, Manuel 
and Clementine. 

Mr. Lemos is a man of much individuality, independent in politics and a 
master of his own convictions. He is a member of the I. D. E. S. lodge and 
his charities are many through this order. In business and social relations 
he is universally respected, as a man and a citizen. 



JACOB TEPLY. 

Destiny has brought Mr. Teply a cosmopolitan fund of information 
through direct personal contact with the people of different countries. As a 
boy he became familiar with the institutions of Germany, the land of his 
nativity, his birth having occurred there December 8. 1851. Later, when he 
had attained manhood and had acquired a thorough knowledge of every detail 
connected with the tailor's trade, he worked as a journeyman in both England 
and France, residing in both countries for a period of sufficient duration to 
enable him to acquire considerable information concerning the customs and 
characteristics of the people. Eventually he came to the United States and 
became a resident of California, which he believes to possess advantages the 
equal of those offered by any portion of the world. 

Upon discontinuing work as a tailor in France and crossing the ocean to 
the new world, Mr. Teply sought and secured employment in New York City. 
Conditions there, however, were not wholly satisfactory and in the year 1881 
he heard the call of the west, coming to San Francisco, where he immediately 
found work at his chosen occupation. In that city he met and married Miss 
Anna Bremer, who was born, reared and educated in Germany, being a daugh- 
ter of Albert and Caroline Bremer. Her father was a shoemaker by trade, 
but he died while young. The mother is still living with her daughter, Mrs. 
Teply, at the age of eighty-eight years. Mrs. Teply learned tailoring in Ger- 
many, where she acquired a thorough knowledge of men's and ladies' tailoring, 
which she followed in London, England, and afterwards in San Francisco. In 
earlier life she was an accomplished singer and Avon the plaudits of her large 
social circle. During October, 1880, she left London for the United States 
and settled in New York City, but two years later, in 1882. left that metropolis 
for the remote west and settled in San Francisco, where she followed her 
trade until her marriage, November 17, 1884. 

Upon removing from San Francisco to Napa county in 1901 Mr. Teply 
bought the Ben Kiser place of fifty acres, now known as the Dutch Flat poul- 
try farm. Since acquiring the property he has remodeled the place and has 
expended more than $3,000 in improvements. Aside from ten acres in a vine- 
yard he has allowed the land to remain in meadow and pasture, so that he has 
an abundance of range for his poultry. On his farm there are now more than 
one thousand laying hens of the best type of the White Leghorn breed, always 
a favorite with poultrymen throughout the entire west. At all seasons he has 
for sale eggs from the choicest of stock. Frequently he has sold young chicks, 
but it is his preference to hold these for subsequent sale or home use. From 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 521 

the first he has been successful in the care of his flock. This is noteworthy, 
because he had devoted practically his entire life to tailoring and had no know 1 
edge, theoretical or practical, concerning the poultry industry. Careful study 
and practical experience have given him the grasp of the business in ever) 

detail. It always has been his opinion, since beginning at the work, that the 
air ni the hills is healthier for fowls than that ^i tin valleys and this theory 
has been substantiated by experience on his part. 

The necessity of giving close attention, formerly to the tailor's trade and 
later to the poultry business, has prevented Mr. Teply from taking any pari 
in public affairs, but he is loyal to his adopted country and patriotic in de 
votion to governmental welfare. Politically he maintains an independent 
attitude. Fraternally he is connected with the Napa Lodge of Eagles and 
has been active in its work. Mrs. Teply has been prominent in the Poca 
hontas Tamp. United Order ^\ Red Men. and has been a leading worker in 
the Ladies' German Benevolenl Society of the Red Cross Association, having 
officiated as president ^i the same during the period of her residence in San 
Francisco. 



MRS. LUCY J. PAYNE. 

Few inhabitants oi Solano county have dime more to "boost" the com- 
munity in which they live than has Mrs. Lucy J. Payne, the subject of this 
sketch. She is a woman of keen foresight and unerring wisdom and her well- 
kept orchard and lands two miles west "i Yacaville indicate the possession 0J 
much executive ability. Mrs. Payne is a very enthusiastic advocate of good 
roads and those in office in her precinct know well the persuasive arguments 
that she can put forward in defense of that which she believes to be essential 
to civic comfort and progress. 

Mrs. Payne is a daughter of Sidney C. "Walker, a native of Estelle. Ky., 
and a man highly respected for his keen sense of honor and justice to all. His 
only child. Lucy J., was born near Independence, Jackson county. Mo. Mr. 
Walker brought his wife and child to California across the plains with horse 
and ox-teams in 1853. a journey of four months bringing them to the Suisun 
valley. Here the family remained until 1873, when Mr. Walker bought one 
thousand acres of land near Yacaville. On this he first engaged in grain and 
stock raising, later, in 1884. setting out an orchard of seventy-five acres in 
different varieties of fruit. His wife was in maidenhood Mary J. Bolin, also a 
native of Kentucky. She died January 19, 1903, and he passed away Febru- 
ary 6, 1^08. He was a very progressive man. He built five business houses 
and five residences in Yacaville. and it is safe to say that if more residents had 
done as much as he. Yacaville would have been a very large city. He was a 
member of the Baptist Church, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

Lucy J. Walker received her education in the public school and the Vaca- 
ville South Methodist College. In 1888 she became the wife of William H. 
Payne, a native of Platte county. Mo., who came to California in 1877. lie 
served as supervisor of District No. 4. Solano county, for one term, discharging 
the duties of the office acceptably. He was laid to rest in the Dixon cemetery 
April 16, 1909, by Vallejo Lodge No. 559, B. P. O. E.. of which he was a 
member. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows, the encampment, and 
the Knights of Pythias. 

Mrs. Payne'- home place comprises over four hundred acres, nestling in 
the valley at the foot of Blue mountains. Of this over one hundred acres are 
in orchard to prunes, plums and apricots, and the remainder of tin- land is 
devoted to raising hay. The buildings are large and modern, and all of the 
improvements about the place are the latesl and best. In addition to the 



522 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ranch Mrs. Payne owns five business houses on Main street, Vacaville, among 
them the Walker opera house, and she also owns other valuable property in 
this city and in Sacramento. She oversees all the departments of the business, 
aided by her nephew and takes great pleasure in being able to develop the 
land under her care. She is a member of the Baptist Church at Vacaville and 
a member of the Pythian Sisters in Rio Vista. Naturally very public spirited 
and enterprising, she is always ready to give of her time and means toward 
any movement that has for its aim the betterment of the county and the up- 
lift of humanity. A woman of strong personality and amiable qualities, she 
is well known in the district in which she lives, for her kindly disposition has 
won her many friends who refer to her in terms of the highest regard. 



ERWIN S. GRIDLEY. 

As far back as the records of the Gridley family are traceable it is shown 
that its members in early generations were identified with the Empire state, 
and it was from that state that the grandfather of Erwin S. Gridley (Reuben 
Gridley by name) set out with his family to establish a home in what was 
then, in 1835, considered beyond the border of civilization. This wilderness 
home was located on the site of what is now Homer, Calhoun county, Mich, 
(then a territory), and there he struggled with pioneer conditions for many 
years. Among the children in the family of Reuben Gridley was Joseph Grid- 
ley, who was born in New York state, and was twelve years of age when the 
family and their household effects were removed to Michigan in a "prairie 
schooner." An inclination toward a mechanical rather than an agricultural 
life led him to learn the millwright's trade, and with a good knowledge of the 
business at his command he went to Kalamo, Eaton county, Mich'., there 
carrying on his trade, as well as maintaining a farm. In maidenhood his wife 
was Roxanna Herring, a native of New York state and the daughter of 
Samuel Herring, who in an early day made his way to Kalamo, Mich., with 
teams and wagons, following the blazed trail made by a few predecessors. He 
was one of the first settlers in the town, and there he and his wife passed away. 

Of the five children born of the marriage of Joseph and Roxanna (Herring) 
Gridley, two are living, and Erwin S. was the eldest of the family. He was 
born in Kalamo, Mich., October 24, 1845, and was brought up on the home 
farm. As this was near town he had educational advantages that do not al- 
ways fall to the lot of farmer's sons, attending first the public schools of 
Kalamo and later taking a course in Albion College. The opening of the Civil 
war found him a young man filled with ambition to take part in the activities, 
but his small stature militated against this, and it was only after repeated 
offers of his services that he was finally accepted, his expert horsemanship 
winning him entrance in the service. October 16, 1863, he was mustered in 
as a member of Company G. Eleventh Michigan Cavalry, and served in Ken- 
tucky, Tennessee and West Virginia in guerilla warfare. The rigors and 
hardships of army life told on his constitution and in November, 1864, he was 
transferred to the Eighth Veteran Reserve Corps, guarding prisoners at Camp 
Douglas until after the close of the war. He was then mustered out at Detroit, 
Mich., October 17, 1865. Returning home, he worked on the farm for a time, 
after which he engaged in the merchandise business in Kalamo, and also 
served as deputy county recorder. 

Mr. Gridley's identification with California dates from the year 1870, 
when he came to Napa, which has been his home ever since. For several 
years, or until April, 1877, he engag'ed in contracting painting, and it was 
while engaged in painting on a staging that he fell and received injuries that 
made further work at his trade unsafe. In 1878 he served as city clerk and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND N \P.\ COUNTIES 525 

treasurer for one year, was then elected justice oi the peace, serving two 
years, alter which he filled the office of deputy county clerk for about five 
years. Mr. Gridley is a stanch Republican, and it was through influence in 
this party that in 1889 he was appointed government storekeeper at Napa, a 

position which he held for four years, when a change of administration (lis 
placed him. Subsequently he found employment in an attorney's office, was 
assistant journal clerk of the assembly one term, following this by one term 
as journal clerk, and in 1898 he was reinstated to his former position as »o\ em- 
inent gauger at Napa. Later the duties of storekeeper were added and he has 
rilled the combined duties of storekeeper and gauger efficiently for many years. 
With his family Mr. Gridley has a pleasanl home at No. 32 Adrian street, 
Xapa. His marriage in Flint, Mich., united him with Miss Liz/.ie Bartlett, a 
native o\ Flushing, that state. Of the children born to them, two are living, 
Joseph, of Xapa. and Frank, a resident of Oakland. Fraternally Mr. Gridley 
is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with Kit Carson 
Post No. 74. ti. A. R.. of which he is a past commander. Though not a mem- 
ber oi any church. Mr. Gridley has always contributed to their upbuilding and 
for thirty-five years has been a member of the choir of the First Presbyterian 
Church. Xapa. as tenor. In the early days he had the best campaign club in 
the state. 



GEORGE LIXCOLX RYERSON. 

As a distinct addition to the present and coming farming contingent of 
Berricia, George Lincoln Ryerson is giving evidence of a mastery of his 
chosen occupation, and of special adaptability to its many-sided demands. 
The son of Adrian P. Ryerson. one of the early and best known residents of 
this section, he is a native of Benicia township, Solano county, and was born 
August 12. 1864. As a lad he profited by the educational advantages of the 
district schools, and as a man he has supplemented this start by continuous 
research along agricultural and general lines. Under his father he received a 
thorough training in the science of agriculture, and was taught the value of 
industry, economy and perseverance. Mr. Ryerson lived on the old home- 
stead redeemed from the wilderness by his pioneer father, and in 1898 bought 
the ranch of two hundred and fourteen acres which still is his home. He is 
engaged principally in the raising of grain and hay. and his hay land averages 
two tons an acre. His farm is equipped with modern appliances, well con- 
structed and well maintained buildings, and on every hand are indications of 
the orderly, progressive and painstaking methods of the owner. 

Adrian P. Ryerson. the establisher of the family name and honors in 
Solano county, was born on a farm near Paterson, X. J., December 11, 1822, 
and at the age of thirteen years gave up the care-free life of a country boy and 
went to Xew York as apprentice to a silversmith. The eventful year of 1849 
still found him working at his trade, but the call of adventure drew him to the 
Stern coast and the same year he came to California by way of Panama, 
and for a year he made Los Angeles the headquarters for his many experiences. 
In 1850 he returned to Xew York, and after settling up his affairs, again 
undertook the long journey by way of Panama to the coast, locating in Solano 
county, thereafter engaging in the hotel business in Benicia until 1855. In 
March. 1855. he was united in marriage to Esther Bower, a native of Pitts- 
burg. Pa., who came to California across the plains from Ottumwa. Iowa, with 
her friends. Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Smith, about 1852. To Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson 
were born eleven children, six of whom are living: Henrietta, widow of 
George Smith; Isaac: Virginia; George L. : Clara M.. now Mrs. Bowdoin; and 
Lulu, wife of Edward Albee. After hi- marriage Mr. Ryerson settled on what 
now i- known as the old Ryerson Cottonwood Grove covering ten acre- of 



526 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

land which he set out. Later he sold the grove but retained his ranch of two 
hundred and thirty-seven acres adjoining our subject's place. The trees of 
this grove were raised from seed planted by Mr. Ryerson in 1858. His farm 
became one of the best and most productive in the township, and he continued 
to supervise its management until shortly before his death, June 17, 1874. He 
was a man of keen insight and great industry, and because frugal in his tastes 
and careful in his expenditures, amassed a comfortable competence. The 
mother died April 2, 1906, at the old home. Mr. Ryerson managed his 
mother's ranch until her death, since which time he has given all of his atten- 
tion to his own ranch, where aside from grain raising he is engaged in raising 
and breeding draft horses. 



EDWIN E. DEMING. 

The town of Houndsfield, near Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y., pro- 
vided the environment familiar to the early years of Mr. Deming. With his 
parents, Robert and Eliza (Smith) Deming, who were both natives of New 
York, he removed to Michigan when he was thirteen years old, and in that 
state his brother, Sanford S., died. Another brother, Jonathan J., resides in 
San Francisco, and holds the office of secretary of a canning company at 
Benicia, Cal. Michigan continued to be Mr. Deming's home until 1886, when 
repeated attacks of hay fever affected his health so seriously that it was deemed 
best for him to seek another location, as the trouble interferred with his pro- 
fession as teacher, which he followed for ten years. Accordingly he came to 
the Pacific coast and for ten years made his home principally at Ashland. Ore., 
where he followed horticulture. In 1901 he settled in Napa county, Cal.. the 
scene and center of his subsequent agricultural activities. 

While residing in Oregon Mr. Deming married Miss Jennie Sriiith, a 
native of Poynette, Wis. They have one child, Edna C, now a student in the 
Napa high school, class of 1912. Mrs. Deming is a daughter of James E. and 
Phoebe Smith, natives of New York and members of old families of that state, 
where for many years her grandfather taught school at Troy. A brother of 
her father, Hon. Lewis Smith, became a noted politician and for some time 
served as a member of the Wisconsin state legislature as a representative from 
Columbia county. On both sides of the family the lineage has been honorable, 
the records creditable and the patriotic spirit commendable. 

Upon coming to Napa county Mr. Deming bought sixty-nine acres of the 
Roney estate and here he has ten acres in peaches, prunes and apricots. A 
small vineyard furnishes grapes for table use, but it is not the owner's desire 
to raise more than needed for home consumption. Aside from the large or- 
chard he has his farm in meadow and pasture, keeping a limited number of 
head of stock suited to the size of the farm. At one time he had a flock of 
Angora goats, but these he has sold. From the sales of fruit he receives a 
neat income each year. As much as eight tons of green peaches have been 
picked from his trees and the yield of other fruits also has been gratifying in 
amount. With his neighbors he was a builder of Browns Valley telephone 
line and is secretary of the company. 

During the period of his residence in Oregon and his participation in 
public affairs in his own part of that state, Mr. Deming gave his allegiance 
to the People's party, but with later study of national issues he became an 
adherent of the doctrines promulgated by the late Henry George. Since then 
he has been a Socialist in his views. Always strictly temperate himself, he 
gives his support to temperance movements and in earlier life was active in 
the local lodge of Good Templars, besides being prominent in other organiza- 
tions having a similar object in view. The Order of Maccabees enlisted his 
warm support and for years received his active co-operation. Interested in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTIES 527 

the public-school system and a warm friend of the movement, which he be 
lieves to be of the utmost value to our national welfare, he gave faithful ser 
vice to his own district in the capacity >>i school trustee and filled the office 
with efficiency for eight years. 



JOHN QUARNEY 

Among the citizens whom Ireland gave to California may be mentioned 
fohn Quarney, who located in Solano county in the days immediately follow 
ing the cold discovery and contributed his mite to the ultimate success of 
this section as an agricultural center. I lis earliesl recollections were of a 
home in Queens county. Ireland, where at the age of fifteen years he had put 
his school days behind him and had assumed the responsibilities of his own 
support. This he wisely decided could be accomplished more effectively in 
the United States than in his native land, and it was this decision that enabled 
him at that early age to start out alone in pursuit of opportunity. 

The vessel on which Mr. Quarney made the ocean voyage cast anchor 
in New York, and a >ta\ of two years in that metropolis engaged in such 
employment as came his way. made it possible for him to come to California. 
The voyage was made by way <i\ Panama, at the time the Mexican war was 
in progress, and his participation in activities delayed his arrival in California 
for some months. Joining a company of infantry, he saw service in Arizona 
and Xew Mexico and subsequently came to California, being stationed at the 
Benicia arsenal for three years. When peace was declared he was mustered 
out of the service and turned his attention to the making of a livelihood along 
lines as yet untried. Purchasing property in Benicia. he undertook ranching 
on a modest scale, and as his means permitted he enlarged his holdings and 
branched out in the grain and dairy business until he owned and managed two 
o\ the finest ranches mi Solano county, one of five hundred and the other of 
three hundred acres. These he carried on with remarkable success for a num- 
ber of years, or until he felt financially justified in retiring to private life and 
leaving the management of the ranches to tenants. Besides the ranches men- 
tioned he was also the owner of other valuable real estate, principally business 
and residence lots in the best sections of Benicia. 

Mr. Quarney was married in Benicia to Miss Bridget Clyne, a pioneer of 
this place, who died in 1900. having become the mother of two children. Mr. 
Quarney died in Benicia December 27, 1911, when the community lost one of 
its most honored and enterprising citizens. Since his death the management 
of the estate has devolved on his daughter Clara, who is carrying out the policy 
of her noble father. When Mr. Quarney first saw the site on which Benicia 
was built there was nothing to give promise of the progress that years were 
to bring, and the fact that in spite of this he purchased large holdings of real 
estate demonstrates his foresight. He was a witness of the changes that came 
with the years, and was himself an active factor in bringing them about. For 
four years he served his fellow citizens in the capacity of town trustee. After 
locating in California he made two trips to the east, and each time he returned 
he felt better satisfied that fate had directed him to the new world and particu- 
larly to this broad western section. 



HARVEY R. ELLIOT. 

A native of California. Harvey R. Elliol was born in San Francisco July 
IS, 1878. the son of Samuel F. Elliot, a native of South Windham, Me. The 
latter was twenty years old when he first came to California. Returning easl 
after a short >tay. he subsequently came west a^ain. thi> time with the inten- 



528 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

tion of remaining permanently. He is a carpenter by trade and is at the pres- 
ent time living in San Francisco. The mother, Emma Streeter in maidenhood, 
is a native daughter, having been born in Downieville, Sierra county. Her 
father, John C. Streeter, came to California in the early '40s, crossing the 
plains with ox-teams. After a long and useful life he passed away in Suisun 
in July, 1911. 

Harvey R. Elliot spent his early boyhood in San Francisco, where he at- 
tended the public schools. When he was seventeen years old he attended 
Heald's Business College of that city and obtained a thorough commercial 
education and training. He then came to Cordelia, where his uncle, C. B. 
Elliot, owned a winery, in which he was given a position. After some time, 
in 1902, the winery was sold to the California Wine Association. Harvey R. 
Elliot was then appointed superintendent and secretary of the Cordelia winery 
and he has held this position ever since, with great credit to himself and his 
employers. This is the largest winery in the county, having a capacity of 
seven hundred thousand gallons per annum. 

In 1900 Mr. Elliot married Miss Lottie M. Glashoff, also a native of Cali- 
fornia, born in Suisun valley. The elder of their two children, Lloyd Otto, 
was born in 1902 and is now attending the Green Valley school ; the daughter, 
Clara E. Marie, was born May 13, 1909. Although a very busy man, always 
having between thirty-five and forty men in his employ and under his direc- 
tion, Mr. Elliot is very public spirited and finds time for civic work. He is a 
member of the board of school directors of Green Valley district and is also 
clerk of the board. He was made a Mason in Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M., 
and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Wide awake and progressive, 
he is always in favor of any movement which is for the good of the com- 
munity, the state or the nation. His home is one of the beautiful residence 
properties of Cordelia, and together with his family, he enjoys the high regard 
of the entire community. 



WILLIAM EBELING. 

The life which this narrative depicts began in Germany in 1846 and 
closed in St. Helena, Napa county, March 9, 1910. When he was a lad of 
thirteen years Mr. Ebeling left Germany and came to America, locating in 
New York City, where he learned the barber's trade. At the outbreak of the 
war in 1861 (at the age of fifteen years and four months) he enlisted in the 
Thirty-ninth New York Volunteers, being sworn in and attached to Com- 
pany E on September 9 of that year. Up to 1862 he was occupied with camp 
life and an occasional skirmish. On June 8, 1862, he was wounded in the 
battle of Cross Keys and remained in the hospital for some time. He was 
taken prisoner by Stonewall Jackson on September 15, and later released. He 
saw service in the battles of Gettysburg and also Bristow Station and the 
battles of the Wilderness and Petersburg in the spring of 1864. He received 
his discharge September 9, 1864. Among the prized possessions of his widow 
is an old pocketbook that he carried all through the war. After the war he 
worked at his trade in Baltimore, Md., and later lived with his family in 
Chicago, where he lost everything during the big fire in 1871. 

In 1875 Mr. Ebeling came to California and worked in San Francisco and 
Berkeley for eight years, then went to Windsor, Sonoma county. Leaving 
this latter place, he came to Calistoga and entered partnership with W. F. 
Bornhorst in viticulture in 1884, continuing this until his death. He was a 
member of the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. He married 
Elizabeth Warns in Baltimore in 1866. Their eldest child, Charles William, 
married Miss Ida Macks and they have two children, Walter and Victor; 
Lillian, the wife of E. L. Vander Naillen of Oakland, has two children, Gert- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUNTIES 531 

rude and Edwin; Harry W. married Minnie Mack and resides in Fulton, 
Cal., where he is a fruit buyer; Minnie, the wife of E. J. Fletcher of Los 
Angeles, ha- two children. Earl and Lillian; Frank married Miss L. Walk 
meister, and they have one son, Warren; Louis V and Clemens A complete 
the family. About two years after the death of her husband Mrs. Ebeling 
became the wife of his former partner, William I". Bornhorst, and they now 
make their home in Si. Helena. 



LYMAN ill A I'M \\. 

News ^i the discovery of gold ill the west was carried hack to old Con- 
necticut and aroused the deep interest of Lyman Chapman, a young carpenter, 
who was horn at Groton, that state, in 1821, and had been following the 
builder's trade for a considerable period in the old home neighborhood. 
Eagerly arranging his affairs preparatory to departure, he took passage on 
the schooner Velasco, which rounded the Horn and eventually arrived at San 
Francisco. July 18. 1849. one hundred and seventy days after leaving New 
London, Conn. Instead of following the thronging thousands to the mines, 
Mr. Chapman took up work at his trade and came to Napa, where he built 
the first frame building. At the foot of Main street, on the banks of the Napa 
river, he built the first flour mill in the county. In addition he erected the 
American house, now known as the Owl hotel. In association with Nathan 
Coombs he engaged in buying and selling property and for some time owned 
lar^e tracts with him as a partner. 

Upon the organization of the Bank of Napa, in which work he bore a 
prominent part. Lyman Chapman was elected a director and for years he con- 
tinued to fill that position. All movements for the benefit of the city, whether 
educational, commercial or fraternal, received his warm support. To him and 
his wife was clue the credit for the organization of the Baptist Church, which 
held its first meetings in the court-house. He enjoyed the distinction of being 
the oldest member of Napa Lodge No. 18. I. O. O. F., in which he served as 
noble grand. For years he was prominent in Ivy Rebekah Lodge No. 23, 
also in Live Oak Encampment. It was his privilege to enjoy the fruits of his 
early labors. He lived to see Napa one of the prominent cities of the region, 
foremost in all good works, well supplied with schools and churches, and 
boasting a loyal, patriotic citizenship. He organized the Home Guards of 
Napa, of which he was first lieutenant. After more than sixty years' resi- 
dence in this state he passed away November 23, 1910, mourned by comrades 
of the old days and by the generation now prominent in business affairs. 

The first marriage of Lyman Chapman was solemnized November 13. 
1842. and united him with Lydia Chapman, who died July 27, 1859. Five 
children were 'born of that union, but the sole survivor is Jane, wife of M. P. 
Rose, of Shasta county. On November 3. 1859, Mr. Chapman was united in 
marriage with Emily Augusta Whiting, who was born in Mystic. Conn., in 
1837. the daughter of Hallam Whiting, a cabinetmaker and painter of Mystic, 
where he was born. He was the son of Nathan Whiting, also a native of 
Connecticut and a cabinetmaker by trade. His marriage united him with 
Nancy Williams, a native of Connecticut and the daughter of Thomas and 
Abigail < Hallam i Williams, of Connecticut, and the latter was the daughter 
of Mrs. Hallam. who came from England in the Mayflower. Mrs. Chapman 
- educated in Mystic. Conn., and after her marriage, November 3, 1859, 
came to California via the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco in January, 
1860. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary 
November 3. 1909. and among other presents given them on that occasion was 
a silver loving cup presented by Ivy Lodge, Rebekahs, and Napa Lodge, I. O. 



532 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

O. F. Surviving her husband and making her home in Napa City, Mrs. Chap- 
man has a host of warm personal friends in this locality and is esteemed 
wherever known. Twice she has been honored with the office of noble grand 
in the Ivy Lodge of Rebekahs, the work of which has enjoyed for years the 
benefit of her sympathy and intelligent assistance. Of her five children only 
one is now living, Sarah A., wife of William H. Gosling, of Napa. 

No more fitting close to the life sketch of Lyman Chapman could be given 
than is found in the lines from the pen of one who for the past sixty years or 
more admired and respected him for his integrity and his charity toward all, 
the lines embodying sentiments he so often expressed. 

I am aged and worn and weary. 
The pleasures of life I have reaped. 
Then fold my mantle around me 
And lay me down to peaceful sleep. 

I will awake in that far-off country, 
The land of the great unknown, 
And my loved ones will gather around me 
To greet me and welcome me home. 

That mysterious home that we read of. 
By faith so bright to our view, 
With the glint of the rainbow around it, 
Christ prepared it for me and for you. 



PATRICK DOLAN. 

Varied adventures made interesting the early life of Patrick Dolan and 
give to his declining years a large fund of pleasant memories concerning ex- 
periences on land and sea. The recollections of boyhood cluster around the 
cabin home in old Ireland and the struggles for a livelihood in Massachusetts. 
Born in 1845 in County Roscommon, he was a mere child when death robbed 
him of the protecting care of his father, Patrick, Sr. Shortly afterward, in 
1856, he accompanied his widowed mother to the new world and landed in 
Boston, going thence to Dorchester, Mass., where his mother died during the 
same year. A pathetic struggle for a livelihood ensued and the little Irish 
orphan learned many lessons of self-reliance and determination as he worked 
his way forward through hardships that many would have deemed insur- 
mountable. 

For six years the busy life of a Connecticut farm absorbed the attention 
of the youthful worker and later he removed to Springfield, Mass., where he 
served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade. In a short time he had 
proved his adaptability to the trade and later this expertness enabled him to 
earn a fair livelihood. During the year 1867 he came by way of the Isthmus 
to San Francisco prior to the building of the first trans-continental railroad. 
After one year in the coast city he came to Vallejo and, while not continu- 
ously in this city from that time to the present, he always has regarded it as 
his home. His first employment was as a mechanic at Mare Island navy yard 
and he continued there until 1871, when he shipped for three years as a ma- 
chinist in the United States navy. At the expiration of his time he again 
entered the service and continued a government employe in the naval service 
for more than thirty years, finally resigning July 27, 1905, with a record for 
efficiency and trustworthiness of which he well may be proud. While in the 
navy he sailed to almost every port in the world and thus possesses a thorough 
knowledge of countries, peoples and climates, but with all that he saw he ever 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 533 

returned to Vallejo, more content than before to call this place his home. 

The marriage of Mr. Dolan took place in Benicia and united him with 
Miss Jennie O'Donnell of that city. Their union was blessed with one daugh 
tor. Miss Caroline, who was born in Vallejo, received her education in local 
schools and now is one of the successful and popular teachers in the grammar 
school of her native town. During 1882 Mr. Dolan bought property at No. 72 u 
Georgia strict and hero he has continued to live up to the present time, he and 
his wife having made <A the property a desirable and attractive spot that evi- 
dences their thoughtful care and refined tastes. Fraternally he holds member 
ship with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. While he has not been in- 
terested in politics nor has he sought political preferment for himself, he is 
intensely loyal to the country of his adoption and especially devoted to the 
welfare of the city where for years ho has been an honored and respected 
citizen. 



WILLIAM REEVE LAIN". 

A long and intimate identification with the commercial interests of Vallejo 
lias placed Mr. Lain in the forefront ni the city's progressive citizens and 
prosperous business men. With quiet and unostentatious zeal he has labored 
along the line of his specialties. Extraneous enterprises have not been per- 
mitted to swerve- him from the regular routine of his activities. 'The political 
movements that engross many citizens to the detriment of their business 
affairs receive from him only such attention as patriotism demands and civic 
loyalty impels; yet he is not dilatory in the discharge of the duties devolving 
upon men solicitious for the advancement of their community in commerce, 
in education and in the industrial arts. It is to the concerted loyalty of such 
men as he that Vallejo owes its high, standing along these lines of activity 
and its prominence as a business center in the adjacent country. 

Born in 1851 near the city of Wilkesbarre. Pa.. W. R. Lain received his 
education in the public schools and in Wyoming Seminary, after which he was 
for a time engaged in teaching, an occupation which brought its recompense in 
self-culture and forceful application. At an early age he learned and followed 
the trade of carpenter and soon acquired considerable skill in the occupation, 
which in connection with teaching he followed in the old home neighborhood 
until his removal to California in 1877. Here he secured employment as 
superintendent of a large gold mine at Happy Camp, Siskiyou county, and for 
ten years he continued in the same capacity, resigning in 1887 in order to 
remove to Vallejo. his present place of residence. After having followed the 
carpenter's trade for a time he entered the bridge building department of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad and for three years remained with that company, 
resigning that he might accept employment at the Mare Island navy yard. A 
tew months later he bought out the Baker Furniture Company at No. 343 
Georgia street and at once concentrated his energies upon the building up of 
a profitable trade in that line. For many years he conducted the only furni- 
ture store in the town. 

When a steadily increasing trade brought about a necessity for more com- 
modious quarters Mr. Lain removed his store to Xo. 336 Georgia street and 
four years later, to secure still more satisfactory space, he removed to Marin 
near Georgia street, where now he conducts a well-equipped furniture store. 
Besides possessing an excellent trade in Vallejo he ships furniture to all parts 
of Solano county and has been largely responsible for the growing inclination 
on the part of the people to buy only high grades of furniture. He acts as the 
sole a^ent in the county for the Globe- Wernicke elastic bookcases, the Wis- 
consin Twin dining tables, the Sealey tuftless mattress, the Monarch malleable 
ranges, the Hoosier kitchen cabinets and other specialties of national reputa- 



534 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

tion and unsurpassed quality. The upholstering department is widely known 
and its output compares favorably with the finest work of the kind done in 
.San Francisco, this satisfactory result being due to the skill of Mr. Lain as an 
upholsterer and also to his use of electric power in the otherwise difficult task 
of cleaning. In the improvements made from time to time in his chosen life- 
work he keeps posted and they are .grasped sagaciously when once their im- 
portance is proved. 

While still making his home in Pennsylvania and at the age of twenty- 
two years Mr. Lain in 1873 married Miss Emma Rice, a native of that state 
and a lady of excellent education and amiable characteristics. Their only son, 
Wilbur, married Ellen E. Colby, a native of Kansas, and they reside in Santa 
Cruz. The only daughter, R. May, married Dr. A. J. Minaker, of San Fran- 
cisco, and they have two sons, Arthur and William. The fraternal associa- 
tions of Mr. Lain bring him into identification with the Independent Order of 
Foresters and the Knights of the Maccabees, and the local lodges of both of 
these organizations have the benefit of his active membership, tactful sugges- 
tions and helpful contributions. 



HENRY H. DUNKER. 

A well-known carpenter and cabinet-maker of Cordelia, Cal., Henry H. 
Dunker was born in Daldorf, Holstein, Germany, January 9, 1874, and for 
some years he remained in his native state, receiving a good education in the 
excellent public schools of that country. As is customary in Germany, he 
learned a trade, selecting cabinet-making. After completing his apprentice- 
ship he worked at the trade four years before starting out for himself. In 
1892 he came to the United States and almost immediately after his arrival 
he located in Cordelia, Cal., where he has spent most of his time since. For 
two years he worked on a farm and later secured a position as carpenter. 
After spending some time at this business he opened a shop of his own and 
has continued the same ever since. He is a very competent man and one who 
is giving entire satisfaction to his numerous patrons. Four years ago Mr. 
Dunker and his brothers bought the general hardware and blacksmith's busi- 
ness at Cordelia, which is now conducted under the name of Henry Dunker 
& Co. The company is well known and has a large and lucrative trade. 

Mr. Dunker was married in 1899 to Miss Anna Glashoff, a native of 
Solano county, and three children were born to them : Sadie M., born in 
1903 and now attending the public school; Aldwin, six; and Kathleen two 
years old. Mr. Dunker's father, Henry E. Dunker, was born in Germany in 
1838 and died in Cordelia in 1910. His mother is still living in Solano county. 
Mr. Dunker belongs to Suisun Lodge, K. of P., and the Ancient Order of 
Foresters of Cordelia, and has held office in the latter organization. He is a 
man Avho is alive to every opportunity in a business and social way and has 
many friends who admire and respect him for his business acumen, as well 
as for his personal qualities. 



DANIEL L. TUCKER. 

A native of Ohio, Daniel L. Tucker was born in Geauga county June 10, 
1853, the son of parents who are both deceased. His early years are inti- 
mately associated with the place of his birth and there he attended school. 
At the age of twenty, in the spring of 1874, he came to California and settled 
in Vacaville, Solano county, and for one year was occupied with the manage- 
ment of a ranch. In 1875 he came to Winters and built a livery barn, this 
being the first building in the place to have a roof on it. For three or four 




<3~-£4^UZJ2^l_ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 537 

years the business was run with success and at the end of this time he located 
in Pleasants valley and has since resided here. The ranch, which lies aboul 
tour and a halt" miles west of Winters, comprises two hundred and forty five 
acres well improved with two sets of buildings. A portion of the land is in 
grain, besides which aboul one hundred acre-- arc in orchard, chiefly apricots, 
peaches and plums, he having set out the trees himself. Me also raises COn 
siderable stock for the market, such as cattle and sheep. 

In 1873 Mr. Tucker married Miss l.uc\ \. I'.undy. also a native of 
Geauga county. Ohio. Of the four children horn to them only two are living. 
Veruie Gertrude became the wife of D. 11. Bryant and lives in Solano county; 
Victor married Miss Elsie Harris, and they make their home in Rerryessa 
valley. Mr. Tucker has been a school trustee for a number of years and is 
also a member ^i the Woodmen of the World. Me is a man of high standing 
in the neighhorhood because of his readiness to assist in every good cause. 
Mis thrifty ranch is a monument to his untiring energy and genius, for when 
he purchased the same it was practically virgin soil. Now it presents a beau- 
tiful appearance and bears the marks of careful attention and judicious 
handling. 



NEWTON CONNER. 

The popular deputy assessor of Napa county was appointed to his present 
position in the year 1905. Since then he has given every satisfaction and is 
well liked by the people. In the early days he served as roadmaster and tax 
collector of township No. 8 and gave general satisfaction in the discharge of 
his duties. Mr. Conner was born in Miami county, Ind., February 16, 1840, 
and was brought up on a farm. He received very meagre educational advan- 
tage, but reading and observation have made him a well-informed man. In 
1861 he enlisted in the service of his country, being mustered into Company A, 
Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Regiment, attached to the Army of the Potomac. 
Mr. Conner took part in all of the battles in which his regiment engaged. The 
record of this regiment was more men killed in active service than any other 
regiment from Indiana, two hundred and one sacrificing their lives on the 
battlefield. In the regiment were five hundred and seventy w r ounded, twenty- 
five died in prison, eighty-eight died of disease and one hundred and forty-four 
were captured, the total number of casualties being ten hundred and twenty- 
eight out of an enrollment of fourteen hundred and three. At the close of the 
war Mr. Conner was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., going from there to 
Labette county. Kansas, where for eight years he was engaged in farming 
with varying success. 

Coming to California in 1875. Mr. Conner made his way direct to Calis- 
toga. Xapa county, where for five years he engaged in raising hay and grain. 
Seeing a good opportunity to open a butcher shop in Calistoga, he took 
advantage of it and carried on the husiness for several years. Selling it out, 
he retired from active business, but was not long allow r ed to enjoy his freedom, 
as he received his appointment to the position of deputy assessor soon after- 
ward. At the time of the incorporation of Calistoga he was elected the first 
city treasurer and held it for twelve years. 

In 1867 Mr. Conner married Miss Caroline M. Gapen, a native of Logans- 
port. Ind., and the following children were born to them: Charles W. G.. of 
Calistoga; Reecher Rarnum. a Methodist minister at Willitts; Edward S., also 
of Willitts: and Frank H.. engaged in the butcher business in Calistoga. 
Mr. Conner has held many important offices that have brought him before the 
public and thus he is quite a well-known resident of Xapa county. For one 
year he served as president of the Grand Army Veteran Association of North- 
ern California. In addition to being a member of the Grand \rmv he is also 



538 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

a member of the Masons, Calistoga Lodge No. 233, having held the position 
of tyler for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Conner are charter members of 
Calistoga Chapter No. 189, Order of Eastern Star. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican, believing in the principles that have stood as the bulwark of the nation 
for so long, and for the preservation of which he fought. 



MISS MINNIE LONG. 

Descended from an old southern family, William Buck Long was born 
in Woodford county, Ky., July 28, 1825, the son of John and Mary (Stevenson) 
Long, and when he was one and a half years old was taken by his parents to 
Liberty. Mo., which was the family home for a number of years. During this 
time William became familiar with the details of agriculture in performing 
his duties on the home farm. The quiet routine of his life was broken in upon 
by the discovery of gold in California, and the year 1849 found him crossing 
the plains behind an ox-team. It is evident that his mining experience was 
not as successful as he had anticipated, from the fact that the following year 
he turned his attention to other pursuits. Coming to Solano county in 1850 he 
and his brothers purchased about one league of the Los Putos rancho, where 
he engaged in stock-raisins:. In 1853 he returned to Missouri, but later in the 
same year he again started across the plains, bringing a band of sheep. After 
passing the winter in Salt Lake City he again took up the march, reaching 
Solano county in 1854, and thereafter he carried on stock-raising, subsequently 
following grain raising also. These industries were followed until fruit rais- 
ing began, about 1881, when he set out about one hundred acres in fruit. 

In 1857 Mr. Long made another trip to Missouri. In 1859 he was married 
to Miss Timandra Lewis, a native of Huntsville, Mo. She crossed the plains 
with her mother in 1857, and two years later occurred her marriage to Mr. 
Long. The eldest of their six children, Lula Lois, died November 24, 1868, 
when eight years old; Minnie is the subject of this review; Nora is the wife 
of Charles A. Stevenson, of Vacaville ; George W. resides near Elmira; Sallie 
resides at the old home place ; and one child died in infancy. The family circle 
was broken by the death of the mother January 13, 1895. and on July 7, 1903, 
at the age of seventy-eight years, the father was called hence. His brother, 
Southey W., served in the Mexican war and thereafter, in 1849, came to Cali- 
fornia. His brother Willis came to the state in 1846 with Gen. J. C. Fremont. 

Miss Minnie Long now lives on a portion of the old home ranch, her sister 
Sallie living on the adjoining place. The ranch was first used for stock-raising, 
then for grain growing, and now it is one of the finest orchards of plums and 
prunes in the vicinity. The house occupied by Miss Sallie Long was shipped 
around Cape Horn and was erected in the year 1852, taking the place of the 
old adobe. 



JOHN P. LYON. 

In 1846 there came to California Mr. and Mrs. Albert G. Lyon, the former 
a native of Virginia, born about 1816, and the latter a native of Missouri. The 
young couple settled in Solano county and are numbered among the first white 
settlers in the state. On locating, Mr. Lyon was given about one thousand 
acres (now the Long ranch) by Manuel Vaca, on which he built two adobe 
houses. These were the first houses in this county, and he hired Indians to 
assist in their erection. For about one year the family remained in Solano 
county and at the end of this time they sold their land at $1 per acre and re- 
moved to Sonoma county, where land was purchased for $5 per acre. The son 
of this pioneer couple, John P. Lyon, was born in Sonoma county in 1848. 
Educational facilities were very meagre in the district, but the young man at- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 539 

tended a college in Son. .ma and also the North Methodisl College in Vaca 
ville. P< ssessing an optimistic temperamenl and a bright mind, he made the 
mosl of his opportunities to accumulate knowledge. 

In 1869 Mr. Lyon lefl Sonoma county and went to San Diego, from there 
coming to Solano county, where the privilege of a short college education was 
afforded him. His early days in Sonoma county had been spent with his 
father on the family ranch, so he was well equipped to follow the occupation 
of agriculturist, which he did for some time. He remained in Vacaville until 
1880 and then moved to Dixon and entered the real estate business. From 
there he went to Kern county and engaged in sheep raising, and later on 
returned to Solano county and built up a splendid mercantile business in 
Vacaville This he -old in the fall of 1911, after which In- purchased the 
principal ownership in the St. Clair mine at Comptonville, Yuba county, and 
anized a new company, the Mount Aha Mining Company, he being presi 
dent, manager and superintendent ><i the mine. 

Fraternally Mr. Lyon is a member ^i the Knights of Pythias, Foresters of 
America, \ncient Order of United Workmen and of the Native Sons, being 
the oldest member in the state. 

In 1868 Mr. Lyon was married to Mi-- Dolores Lena, a native of Solano 
county, and to this union there were horn five children, four of whom are 
living. Albert W., horn in Vacaville, 1870, now reside- in Nevada, where he 
hold- a position with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company as a foreman; 
Aneta, a native *<i Vacaville, is at home with Iter parents; John L., horn in 
Solano county, i- now living in Ogden, Utah, supervisor of signals for the 
Southern Pacific Railroad Company; Nestora Belle is at home with her 
parents. Mr. Lyon's father died in Sonoma county in IS/ 5 and his mother 
died in 1897. 1 lis father was one of the first fruit raisers in Solano county. 
Mrs. Lyon is the daughter of Joseph and Anastacia (Yaca) Pena, both horn 
at Santa Fe, X. Mex. They came with their parents to California in 1840 
and were married in Sonoma. Her grandfathers. Phillip Lena and Manuel 
Vaca, owned a grant of forty thousand acres and were among the first stock- 
men and fruit raisers in the Yaca valley. The valley as well as the city of 
Vacaville took its name from Manuel Yaca, wdio resided here until his death, 
as d'd also the pioneer Phillip Pena. 



MRS. SARAH J. FARRIXGTON. 

A noble life, over whose useful day the afternoon sun is now sinking 
toward the west, has won for Mrs. Farrington the warm regard of the people 
of Solano county. The duties of wifehood and motherhood, ever discharged 
by her with self-sacrificing devotion, have not represented the limit of her 
usefulness in the world. In the important sphere of teacher she has been 
more than ordinarily successful and thirty years of her maturity were given to 
this most important of professions. She began the work of the educator in 
the southern part of Maine, not far from the Atlantic, and her adaptation for 
the work soon gained for her a splendid reputation for skill in instruction and 
firmness in discipline. Some who studied under her supervision afterward 
went to sea and rose to prominence in maritime affair-. Others helped in the 
development of the railroads of the country. Still others entered husiness and 
not a few became influential in public activities. 

Sarah J. ('Watt.-; Farrington was horn in Warren. Knox county, Me., the 
daughter of Charles and Sarah Watts, both of whom were descendants of old 
Revolutionary families. She was primarily educated in the schools of her 
native town and completed her education at Warren Academy. Removal from 
Mai c to California was made in 1865, when she took passage on the Steamer 



540 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Ocean Queen bound for Colon, thence crossed the Isthmus of Panama and 
proceeded on the old Constitution north to San Francisco, from that city- 
going into the mountain country for a brief sojourn and finally coming to 
Vallejo in 1876, and here for many years she has been a well-known resident. 
Her husband, Seth C. Farrington, who was also a native of Maine, died in 
Laporte in 1876 and was buried under the auspices of the Masonic order, to 
which he belonged. The only son, Judson W. Farrington, who was born in 
Plumas county, Cal., took up the study of dentistry after his graduation from 
the Vallejo high school and became a successful practitioner. He located in 
Bisbee, Ariz., for the practice of his profession, but on account of ill-health 
was compelled to give up his activities there, returning to Vallejo, where his 
death occurred in 1903. He was prominently identified with the Odd Fellows 
and the Elks. The daughter, Miss Estelle Farrington, who was born near 
Marysville, Yuba county, is a graduate of the Vallejo high school and San 
Jose State Normal. She is engaged in teaching in the Vallejo public schools 
and by her success has evinced the inheritance of the traits that gave her 
mother prominence in educational circles. Aside from her manifold duties as 
an educator she has other interests and is especially prominent in Silver Star 
Chapter No. 3, Order of Eastern Star, as well as Sequoia Chapter, Daughters 
of the American Revolution of San Francisco, to which latter organization she 
was eligible through the splendid records of ancestors in the struggle for 
independence. 



CHARLES H. ANDERSEN. 

A native of Denmark, Charles H. Andersen was born in Jaegerspris, 
Sjaelland, November 18, 1843. After following farming in his native land until 
he was eighteen years old, he followed the sea for a number of years. In 1864 
he enlisted in the navy and fought for his country in the war between Den- 
mark and Germany. Two years later, in 1866, he set sail from Philadelphia 
for San Francisco by way of the Horn. The ship was loaded with coal for 
the government and was delivered to the Mare Island navy yard in March, 
1867, after a voyage of nearly six months. After working for a time in the 
coal mines of Mt. Diablo Mr. Andersen went to Los Angeles, but soon after- 
ward returned to San Francisco, where he worked on a dry dock. Deciding 
to win a competence from the earth instead of the sea, he came to Napa county 
in 1868 and for a time worked for wages on farms. By saving his money he 
was soon enabled to undertake the responsibility of renting a ranch in Sonoma 
county, just over the Napa county line, and on this he lived for thirteen years. 
Returning to Napa in 1883, he purchased the ranch on which he now lives, 
located in the Fly district, on the lower Sonoma road, six miles southwest of 
Napa. He owns two hundred and forty-two acres of the best fruit and grain 
land in the county. His wheat has run as high as twenty-five sacks to the 
acre and he has had as high as four tons of hay to the acre, three-quarters of 
a ton of corn to the acre, and forty sacks of oats per acre. He. has raised a 
high grade of draft horses, as well as cattle and hogs. After a life of hard 
work he has retired from active farm life and his ranch is now being farmed 
on shares. 

On December 23, 1875, Mr. Andersen was married in San Francisco to 
Miss Anne Schmidt, who was born in Abenrade, Denmark. Their three chil- 
dren are : Mary, the wife of G. M. Shoultes, of Santa Cruz ; Lauritz, a resi- 
dent of Los Angeles ; and Ida, a graduate of the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons of San Francisco, and now practicing medicine in Indianapolis, Ind. 
Mr. and Mrs. Andersen are old-time residents of this community and by their 
industry and energy have helped to develop the natural resources of the 
county. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 543 

MATTHIAS GLASHOFF. 

A native of Germany, Matthias Glashoff was born in Elmshorn, Sleswick- 
Holstein, January 24. 1851. He was educated in the schools of the Father 
land after which for a time he engaged in the grocery business Upon the 
approach of mature years his thoughts turned toward the new world and 
the year 1873 witnessed h i s arrival in California and his settlement in Solano 
county. For ten years he enjoyed prosperity in farming and horticulture, 
and then became a property owner by the purchase of the Beihler property 
in Cordelia, continuing its ownership throughout the remainder of his life. 
his death occurring April 13, 1 ( )02. 

In Oakland, Cal., Mr. GlashotY was united in marriage June 19, 18 ( X), 
with Miss Catherine 1 Junker, a native of Sageberg, Holstein, Germany, the 
daughter oi Christian II. and Margaretta (Schumacher) Dunker. both natives 
oi Holstein and horn in the same year. 1838. Mr. Dunker. who was a farmer 
in the old country, came to California in 1892 and died December 15, 1910. 
I lis widow is still living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. GlashotY. 
Besides Mrs. Glashoff there are three sons and three daughters living, all 
residents of Cordelia. Mrs. Glashoff was educated in the public schools of 
her native place, and upon coming to California in 1886 she first went to Ger- 
mantown. Glenn county, and in 1889 came to Cordelia, her marriage occurring 
the following year in Oakland. Mrs. Glashoff still maintains the husiness in 
au^urated by her husband, her hrothers. Christian and John Dunker, carrying 
on the work under her direction. The ranch, known as the American Canon 
ranch, comprising three hundred and thirty-two acres, she leases to others as 
a dairy ranch. At his death Mr. Glashoff left in California besides his widow 
one brother. Henry Glashoff. As a testimony of the regard in which Mr. 
Glashoff was held by his fellow citizens it may be said that his was the largest 
funeral ever held in Cordelia. During the years that he had been in business 
here he had endeared himself to the hearts of all. and his passing was sin- 
cerely mourned. 



ISAAC HOBBS. 

As one of the noble band of pioneers who contributed of his strength and 
influence in bringing order and refinement into a community which w r as un- 
couth and held forth little prospect of transformation, mention belongs to 
Isaac Hobbs. who came to Solano county as early in its history as 1855 and 
continued to make this his home almost continuously until his death, almost 
a quarter of a century later. He was born in Sanford. York county. Me., 
November 27. 1821. and continued there until he was about eighteen years 
old, when he left the old family home and ultimately left the east altogether. 
From Maine he went to South Boston. Mass.. remaining there but a short 
time, however, when he went to Gloucester. X. J . from there in the spring 
of 1847 going to Tuscaloosa, Ala. By trade he was a mechanic of no mean 
ability and in the southern city just mentioned he found opportunity to em- 
ploy his knowledge of the trade in installing the machinery in several cotton 
mills. He was engaged in the south when the news of the finding of gold 
made every other attraction pale in comparison. March of 1849 found him 
crossing the plains in the only method in vogue at that time, and not without 
experiencing the usual hardships and trials he and his companions finally 
reached the Gila river. There he and three companions made temporary 
headquarters by making themselves a dugout, and after depositing such 
things as were not needed for present purposes, they undertook what was 
supposed to be a three-day journey down the Gila river, after providing them- 
selves with provisions for that length of time. In reality the journey con- 

26 



544 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

sumed twenty-one days and on reaching their destination they found that 
the rest of the party had reached there eight days before. Continuing their 
journey they reached San Francisco in October, 1849, and after consultation 
with others of the party Mr. Hobbs proposed going to Bodega and erecting 
a sawmill. Upon investigation, however, it was ascertained that lumber could 
be obtained in San Francisco for the price of the freight and the enterprise 
was abandoned. 

After the failure of his sawmill enterprise Mr. Hobbs returned to San 
Francisco, where he found work at the carpenter's trade at $16 a day, and 
continued thus occupied until the fall of 1850, when work in the southern 
mines attracted him and held him there for about two years. In the spring 
of 1852 he gave up mining and instead took up farming on the Feather river, 
but on account of falling a victim to fever and ague he was compelled to give 
up the work and in the fall of that year he returned to San Francisco. In 
April, 1853. Mr. Hobbs returned to the Atlantic coast to claim his bride in 
Miss Sarah A. Maxwell, their marriage occurring in McConnelsville, Ohio, 
in May of that year. She was born in Chester county, Pa.. October 18, 1826. 
Immediately after their marriage the young people came to California by way 
of Panama, arriving in San Francisco on November 5, 1853. There as on a 
former occasion Mr. Hobbs found a demand for those with a knowledge of 
the carpenter's trade, and for a number of years thereafter he was engaged 
in house building in that city. His removal from there in 1855 brought him 
to Vallejo, Solano county, and here he was fortunate in finding employment 
as a millwright in the Mare Island navy yard. He remained there in that 
capacity about four years, and after an experience as a farmer for two years 
on the Eel river, Humboldt county, returned to Solano county and resumed 
farming on one hundred and sixty acres of government land on section thirty- 
four, township four, range three, on the Soscol ranch, but the venture .proved 
disastrous in that the land proved to be a part of an old Spanish grant and 
he was dispossessed of the property. After litigation covering a long period, 
a bill was passed March 3. 1863, by which congress declared that the land 
should revert to the original owners. Mr. Hobbs and his wife clung to what 
had been their home and the scene of their hard labor, leaving it with heavy 
hearts when the sheriff of the county took possession of the land. Returning 
to the village of Vallejo in 1865, Mr. Hobbs was soon placed in public office, 
being made sheriff of the county in 1869 and filled this office efficiently for a 
term of two years. A second visit to the east was taken in 1876, when he 
visited the scenes of his youth in the far-off state of Maine and he also visited 
the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. Although he was at that time 
only fifty-five years of age, after returning to Vallejo he did not resume active 
labors, and two years later, February 12, 1878, he passed away. He was a 
Mason of high standing, and a member of the Vallejo Pioneer Association. 
Nine children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs, named in 
the order of their birth as follows: Mary B., Mrs. Richler, of Santa Barbara; 
Ida S., Mrs. Sanderson, who resides on the Hobbs ranch near Napa Junction; 
Eunice Esther, Mrs. Dr. H. W. Hood, of Reno, Nev. ; Charles B., in Yerington, 
Nev. ; Gila Grace, the wife of William A. Jones, of Vallejo; Maxwell, a farmer 
near Vallejo; George; Isaac; and a child who died in infancy. The death of 
Mr. Hobbs left the wife and mother with a problem before her in the rearing 
and education of her children, but she proved equal to the task thus laid upon 
her, as well as in caring for the business undertakings in which Mr. Hobbs 
was interested. A number of splendid structures still stand as monuments 
to her wonderful business ability. She passed away in 1911, at the ripe age of 
eighty-four years, mourned by her children as well as by a large circle of 
friends, many of whom had known her since the days of her early settlement 
in Vallejo. 



HISTORY OF SOI.. \\o AND NAPA COUNTIES 545 

MARTIN R. ADEN. 

Hie life which this narrative depicts began in Grozefehn, Hanover, Ger 
main. September 10, 1843; and came to a close in Vallejo December 14, 1909, 
and between these dates was enacted a career which bore no spot or stain, and 

was a direct refutation of the statement »> often made that a man cannol 
be an active participant in business and political affairs without experiencing 

a tall tn blemish his character. Born in that pari of Germany which borders 
.m the sea. and reared within sound of its surging waxes, it was natural that 
he should take up an occupation that would permit him to indulge his love of 
the sea. and for a number of years he followed pursuits connected with the 
water and boating. This experience constituted his only practical knowledge 
of business in his native country, and when he came to the United State- 
in 1866 and located in California he investigated prospects for following the 
same line of employment in Vallejo. In a small, unpretentious way he began 
a freighting and carrying business on the bay. first alone, and later in partner- 
ship with his brothers. R. J. R. Aden and the late John R. Aden. Under the 
name oi Aden Brothers a flourishing business was carried on for a number of 
years as a result of which all became well-to-do financially. Subsequently 
the brother- gave up the freighting business and inaugurated a wood, coal, 
hay and grain business, in which they were interested to their financial advan- 
tage for several years, when Martin Aden sold his interest to his brothers 
and retired from business. 

To a man of Mr. Aden's temperament inactivity was an impossibility, 
however, and it was at this time that he turned his attention to public affairs, 
and his incumbency of public office marks one of the cleanest records in the 
history of Vallejo. For three terms he filled the office of city trustee, and he 
also served with equal efficiency as street supervisor. 

The marriage of Martin R. Aden occurred April 20, 1879. and united him 
with Miss Johanna W. Ottyes. also a native of Grozefehn. Hanover. Germany, 
where their marriage was celebrated. Their honeymoon was passed in cross- 
ing the Atlantic ocean to the home in Vallejo, Cal.. which Mr. Aden had 
prepared for his bride, and here for over thirty years they lived happily and 
contentedly until the death of Mr. Aden December 14. 1909. Besides the 
widow three children mourn the loss of a kind father: William M., foreman 
for the Vallejo Electrical Company; John M.. proprietor of the Three-Mile 
house: and Martin R., draughtsman at the Mare Island navy yard. He also 
left a brother and two sisters, the latter Mrs. Elizabeth Buss and Mrs. Philip 
Weil. Believing in the future of Vallejo Mr. Aden did not hesitate to invest 
his money, and besides building a house on Virginia street he also built many 
residences in different parts of town, many of which w-ere sold to families of 
small means on easy terms, and many people owe their present homes to his 
liberality and public spirit. He was also interested in farm lands, and the 
family own two ranches in Solano county rented for dairies, and one ranch 
in Xapa county. Since his demise his widow has resided at the old home, look- 
ing after her large interests and aiming to continue the same plan they suc- 
cessfully followed for so many years. 

While interested in the freighting business on the bay Mr. Aden became 
a member of the Master Mariners' Association, joining the order January 20, 
1X76. and he maintained his membership in the order up to the time of his 
death. In fraternal circles he was highly esteemed, his membership in the 
Masonic and Odd Fellows organizations dating from the year 1876, and regis- 
tered him as a member of Xaval Lodge. F. & A. M.. and Chapter, R. A. M.. 
and of Concordia Lodge, I. O. O. F.. of San Francisco. Twice after taking 
up his residence in California Mr. Aden returned on a visit to his .,1,1 home in 
Germany, once in 1876 and again in 1879. and it was during the latter \i--ii 



546 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

that he was married. Mrs. Aden has for twenty-eight years been a member 
of Silver Star Chapter No. 3, O. E. S., of which she is past matron, and she 
takes a very active interest in the order, having been treasurer of the chapter 
for the past eight years, and two different years she has served as an officer 
of the Grand Chapter. In his death, not only did his immediate family lose a 
loving husband and father, but the community in which he had lived and 
labored for over forty years lost a citizen whose life was irreproachable, and 
he bore with dignity the title of "Honest Martin Aden." 



JOHN HENRY BOKE. 

A native of Germany, John Henry Boke was born in the Province of 
Prussia, March 8, 1829, and died in Napa, Cal., May 8, 1905. Between these 
dates, more than seventy-six years, he spent the best part of his life in the 
Golden West and accomplished much to promote the welfare of this' great 
commonwealth. After Mr. Boke had completed his schooling he decided to 
come to the United States and soon after he arrived in New York he deter- 
mined to come to the western coast. Accordingly, with others, he outfitted 
for the long trip across the plains in 1852. After the usual trials and hard- 
ships incidental to the journey through an almost unknown country the party 
arrived in California that same year and Mr. Boke engaged in mining at 
Truckee and Gold Run, in Placer county. Subsequently he moved to Dutch 
Flat, in that county, and for eight years served as postmaster. In 1878 ho 
came to Napa and engaged in the real estate and insurance business with T. N. 
Mount, under the firm name of Mount & Boke, and for the following twenty- 
seven years was actively identified with the opening up of many tracts in the 
vicinity of Napa and did much to add to the prosperity of the county by in- 
ducing settlers to come to the favored Napa valley. He was one of the original 
stockholders and a director of the Napa Building and Loan Association and 
active in its management from its organization until his death. There was 
no enterprise promoted that had for its ultimate object the advancement of 
the city or county, or for the betterment of the condition of the citizens, to 
which he did not lend his aid. He was a member and past grand of Napa 
Lodge No. 18. I. O. O. F., and acted as a delegate to the Grand Lodge sessions 
many times. He was past master workman of Fortuna Lodge No. 13, A. O. 
U W., of Napa. 

In 1878, in San Francisco, occurred the marriage of J. H. Boke and Miss 
Julia Paccaud. She was born in Dutch Flat, Placer county, in 1859, and was 
the daughter of Louis Paccaud, a native of Switzerland, born February 3, 
1829, and who came to America in 1848. In 1852 he came to California on the 
steamer John L. Stevens, via Panama, at which place he boarded the steamer 
Tennessee and arrived in San Francisco in July of that year. He engaged in 
mining hi Yuba county for a time, then went to Placer county, and in 1871 
moved to Napa county, where he was identified with business circles for many 
years as a pharmacist. In 1855 he married Miss Julia Justice, who was born 
in England in 1825. Mr. Paccaud died in Napa at an advanced age. 

Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Boke two children were born : Henry J., 
who graduated from the Oak Mound high school, for several years has been 
engaged in journalistic work in Napa. He is an officer and an active worker 
in Napa Lodge No. 18, I. O. O. F., and in 1911 served as vice-grand of the 
organization. He is also vice-president of the city board of health and is 
serving his second term as city wharfinger. Like his father he is interested 
in the growth of the city and has assisted in advancing movements for her 
welfare. The youngest child, a daughter, Miss Williameena, a graduate of the 
Napa high school, in the class of 1902, is assistant city librarian of Napa. 







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HIS TORN' OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 549 

In passing it is hut justice to mention the pioneers who have been such 
active spirits in "bla2ing the trail" For the younger generations and who spenl 
the greater pan of tlu'ir lives in preparing homes and conditions tor them to 
the end that their children's pathways would nol be as difficull to travel as 
those they once had trod. Mr. Boke and Mr. Paccaud were both endowed 
with more than ordinary pluck and energy. Leaving homes in their native 
lands they ventured to the new world to win for themselves a place in history 
and at their deaths left behind them spotless reputations a- an inheritance to 
their posterity. Such examples as they set are worthy of emulation. 



CHARLES E. BELL. 

A native of Connecticut. Charles E. Bell was born in Darien February 15, 
1827. a son of Holly and Abbie (Scofield) Bell. They in turn were descended 
from a long line of ancestry that can he traced hack to the year 1640, when 
one of their progenitors left the shores of Scotland and, crossing- the great 
Atlantic, identified himself with the little colony in Darien. Conn. It was in 
this place that Holly Bell, the father of Charles E. Bell, was born in a house 
that stood as a monument to his father's skill and prowess. Holly Bell and 
his father left their home to serve their country against Great Britain, one 
serving in the War of 1812, the other in the Revolution. Both were captured 
by the enemy and at the close of the war returned to Connecticut. 
The father lived to be ninety-six years of age and was the father of six 
children, thirty-eight grandchildren and seventy-eight great-grandchildren. 
The mother lived to the age of ninety-five years. For sixteen years Holly 
Bell served consecutively as a Democratic congressman, and from Abraham 
Lincoln he received the appointment as postmaster of Darien, a position which 
he was still occupying at the time of his death in 1889. 

Charles E. Bell, horn into such an illustrious family, was reared on the 
home farm and educated in the public schools. At the age of seventeen years 
he went to New York City and became apprenticed to the shipwright's trade 
with Brown & Bell, the junior member of the firm, Jacob Bell being his uncle. 
The firm was a well known concern and the young man for four years care- 
fully studied the details of his trade. On the completion of the government 
man-of-war Peruvious. he was sent on board as shipwright, making the jour- 
ney to Peru. South America, where he left the ship and spent two months 
on shore. He subsequently embarked on a vessel bound for California, work- 
ing in the capacity of ship's carpenter, in company with Peter Donahue, a 
machinist on the same ship. Mr. Donahue remained in San Francisco and 
established a wide reputation in later years, and Mr. Bell returned to New 
York and resumed work at his trade. In 1857 Mr. Bell was married to Cath- 
erine J. Mills, a native of Connecticut and a descendant of Welsh and English 
ancestors, the lineage going back in direct line to Roger Williams. About the 
time of his marriage Mr. Bell became a pioneer of Iowa, where he later served 
as county clerk of Montgomery county. 

Acting under physicians' orders Charles L. Bell sought the higher alti- 
tudes of the west and made preparations to mine in the vicinity of Pike's 
Peak, where many had made considerable money (1859). Weakened in con- 
dition and contrary to the advice of friends who thought he could not stand 
the strain of the long journey by wagon, he set out with his family toward 
the west, and on the way met many disappointed gold-seekers returning from 
the new mining region with discouraging reports, but he determined to keep 
right <>n and locate in California. The wife, who was then less than eighteen 
years old. drove the ox-team from Iowa, her husband being sick in the wagon 
bed. The out-of-door life improved his condition wonderfully and by the 
time he reached California he was greatly recuperated. While passing through 



550 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Nevada on the Humboldt river route his eldest child, Charles Humboldt, was 
born. 

For four years Charles E. Bell engaged in mining in Trinity county, Cal., 
with only indifferent success, and later he helped in the construction of a 
ship on Coos bay and then went on to San Francisco and worked at his trade. 
In 1867 he secured employment in the United States navy yard on Mare Island 
and for thirty-two years was employed as quartermaster in the ship depart- 
ment. In 1876 he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land in Napa 
county, in what is now known as Bell's Valley, on which place he left his 
family and returned to his work in the navy yard on Mare Island, remaining 
there until his retirement in 1899. Since then he has devoted his time and 
attention to the ranch, which is in grain, pasturage and fruits of various 
kinds. He also has a vineyard of forty acres and manufactures large quan- 
tities of wine, and ten acres are planted in English walnuts. He was a member 
of the Volunteer Firemen's Association in New York, and was an active mem- 
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His children are Charles Hum- 
boldt : Edward S. ; Holly; Oscar, who is superintendent of the California Wine 
Association in Fresno; Lillian, who married Paul R. Miller, an engineer; 
Theodore A., a former representative of this district in congress ; Harry, now- 
deceased ; and Evelyn. 



EDWARD A. KELTON. 

A native son of the state, E. A. Kelton was born in Trinity county in 
1864. His father, Capt. E. A. Kelton, came to California in 1846 and settled 
in that county in 1854. Having rounded the Horn on the steamer Golden Gate, 
that was afterwards wrecked off the coast of Mazatlan, he experienced the 
early conditions incident to pioneer existence. He received his title of- captain 
by being chosen to that office in the Trinity Rifles. He married in that county 
Miss Julia Ward, a native of Massachusetts and a schoolmate of Dr. Benjamin 
Shurtleff, of Napa. She crossed the plains to this state and when she went to 
Trinity county it was on the back of a mule. There she married and made her 
home for many years and subsequently went to San Francisco and after the 
earthquake of 1906 she came to Napa and thereafter made this city her home 
until her death in 1908, at the age of eighty-four years. All of her five children 
were born in the northern county and three are now living. Captain Kelton 
died in Trinity county. 

The boyhood days of E. A. Kelton, Jr., were spent in his native county 
and it was there he received his education in the public schools and also 
became familiar with pioneer conditions. His school days over he sought 
some position whereby he could become self-supporting and found employment 
with J. A. McClelland Company, general merchandise, in Napa. He remained 
in their employ until 1888, when he went to San Francisco, having secured a 
position with Wells Fargo Express Co. as a messenger, and in that capacity 
traveled over Oregon, Utah and California for the following twenty-three 
years. During that time he watched the growth of the state in the various 
sections in which he traveled for the company, this being particularly notice- 
able by the increase in the express matter to these places. His close attention 
to duty was rewarded by his being transferred to Napa as their local agent, 
which position he held until 1909, resigning at that time to associate himself 
with Mr. Watt in the Ambrosia Creamery Company. 

During his residence in the county Mr. Kelton had become well known 
in business and social circles and in 1910 was persuaded to become a candidate 
for the office of sheriff of Napa county at the general election that fall. Pre- 
vious to his election he made a unique campaign at the suggestion of some of 
his friends. The modern method of getting about in automobiles did not 



HISTOR1 OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 551 

appeal to him and he decided to accept the suggestion and secured a team oi 

mules, and before the primary and the general election made a trip to every 
part of the county and so popular did he become that he was elected by a very 
large majority and took up the duties of the office January 1. 1911. Since 
assuming the office lie has instituted reforms thai have shown his worth, and 
his strict attention to official duties ha- made him well known to nearly all of 
the citizens of the county. 

In l'W Mr. Kelton was united in marriage with Margaret Short, who was 
born in Canada and whoso father came t" California in an early day and 
built the fort at Fort 1'oint. the entrance to the Golden Gate. Fraternally Mr. 
Kelton is a Mason, holding membership in Excelsior Lodge in San Francisco, 
and with Mrs. Kelton. who is past matron of California Chapter No. 1 and 
Harmony Chapter. ( )rder <^i the Eastern Star, he belongs to that body in 
Xapa. He is further identified with the Knights of Pythias, Napa Lodge No. 
832, B. P. O. F.. and the Napa Parlor. X. S. G. W. As a citizen and an official 
Mr. Kelton is highly respected by all who have had business or social relations 
with him. 



OSCAR C. SCHULZE. 

The name of Schulze is so well known throughout both Xapa and Solano 
counties as to need no introduction to the readers of this volume, but a brief 
mention of the life and activities of the eldest representative of the family may 
not be out of place in this connection. Oscar C. Schulze was born in Lima, 
Peru. May 9, 1858. the son of Oscar A. Schulze. a native of Dresden, Ger- 
many, and a cabinet-maker by trade. Emigrating from the Fatherland, the 
father first located in Xew York City, and from tbere went to Havana. Cuba, 
thence to San Francisco. The rumors of the finding of gold in California 
having found him ready and anxious to take advantage of the possibilities 
offered in the Eldorado, he embarked for San Francisco in 1850. Going to 
Eldorado county, he followed mining there for some time, but with what suc- 
cess it is not known: however, it is known that after leaving that section 
of country he went to Lima, Peru, where he was married. About 1863 he 
returned to San Francisco with his family. After a few years he was com- 
pelled by ill health to come to Xapa county, and at St. Helena devoted his 
attention exclusively to the cultivation of the grape. Disposing of his hold- 
ings at St. Helena he removed to Oakland and then to Woodland. The last 
nineteen years of his life were passed in Dixon. Solano county, where he was 
living in retirement, his death occurring there in 1910, at the age of eighty- 
seven. 

Oscar C. Schulze was a child of about five years when the family removed 
from South America to California, and the greater part of his education was 
received in the public schools of St. Helena, Xapa county. Subsequent years 
foimd him in Germantown. Glenn county, when that section of the country 
was in the height of it> history-making period and in its progress and up- 
building no one was more prominent or wielded a greater influence than did 
Mr. Schulze. Beside- conducting a general merchandise enterprise in Ger- 
mantown. he was also an extensive dealer in grain and wool. In the matter 
of comity division which divided the citizens into two strong factions he took 
a decided stand against the movement, and it was not until after his removal 
from Glenn county that the divisionists succeeded in their purpose. In 1890 
Mr. Schulze located in Dixon. Solano county, where he engaged in the same 
line of business which he had followed so successfully in Glenn county, making 
a specialty of the grain business, being associated with the firm of Eppinger, 
Fox & Co. Through changes in the personnel of the firm it became Eppinger 
& Co.. but Mr. Schulze still continued as manager. This company was a 



552 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

separate and distinct organization from the firm of that name in San Francisco 
which failed in 1903, nevertheless Mr. Schulze lost heavily by the failure, as 
the San Francisco firm was in debt to him. Subsequently he became sole 
owner of the Dixon business, which in 1909 he incorporated as Oscar C. 
Schulze, Inc., with himself as president, but he lived only a short time there- 
after, his death occurring in February of that year. He was a man of much 
force of character, a born leader, and wherever circumstances placed him he 
was in the forefront of activities, whether commercial, social or political. At 
one time he was offered the nomination for state senator, but declined the 
honor. 

At his death Mr. Schulze left a widow, who before her marriage was 
Caroline Todt, a native of Lubeck, Germany, and she now makes her home in 
Dixon. Five children were born of this marriage, but only three of the num- 
ber are living. Otto T. Schulze is a prominent physician and surgeon of 
Napa, and his father's successor as president of Oscar C. Schulze, Inc. ; a sketch 
of his life will be found elsewhere in this volume. Herbert A. Schulze is man- 
ager of the above mentioned company in Dixon ; and Olga, the only daughter 
in the family, has recently returned after nearly a year of studying music in 
Dresden, Germany. Oscar C. Schulze was a Mason of the Knights Templar 
degree, and he was also a member of Islam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., San 
Francisco. 



GEORGE NIXON BRIGGS. 

The descendant of illustrious ancestors, among whom was Miles Standish, 
George N. Briggs was born in Middleboro, Mass., in the year 1841. As a young 
man he served his apprenticeship in the William Mason Locomotive Works, 
Taunton, Mass., thus becoming a thorough mechanic, and much of his- success 
in after life is directly attributable to the fact that he received so thorough a 
training in his youth and young manhood. After learning the trade of machin- 
ist he worked on the railroad for some time as a fireman. He came to Cali- 
fornia in 1864 and for some time worked in the Yulcan Iron Works of San 
Francisco. His next move was to Nevada, where for five years he had charge 
of the machine shops of the Southern Pacific Company at Wadsworth. Coming 
to California again he engaged with the same company in their shops in South 
Vallejo, working there for eight years. Tiring of indoor work, he took up 
ranching, in addition to which he also did some mechanical work. 

Coming to Napa valley, Mr. Briggs purchased the ranch on which he still 
lives, consisting of twenty-two acres. Not content to confine his attention 
to so small a ranch, he also rents two other ranches in the valley, ninety-five 
and forty-five acres, respectively, on which he raises grain on a large scale. 
For many years he has run a threshing machine in the valley and he also con- 
ducts a dairy, having a fine herd of Jersey cows for this purpose. He has the 
reputation of being an excellent butter-maker. For eight years he was em- 
ployed on the McFarland ranch in Napa valley, where a high grade of butter 
known as the McFarland brand was manufactured, while his own product is 
known as the All Gold Jersey creamery butter. 

A thorough mechanic, Mr. Briggs has invented a portable irrigation 
pump, that has been used with great success in the valley. By the aid. of this 
pump he was able to cut six crops of alfalfa off one patch during the year. 
The area was five acres and the yield w r as two tons to the acre per cutting. 
About 1884 a plant was established on the ranch for the manufacture of these 
portable irrigation pumps and the Napa pruning shears, the business being 
carried on by Mr. Briggs until 1906, when he turned the plant over to his sons, 
Frank and George, who are continuing the business in Napa under the name 
of the Napa Pump and Manufacturing Company. Mr. Briggs has installed 




#v£ 




HISTORY I >F S< M \M i AND NAPA COUNTIES 557 

eighty five cream separators in differem parts of the valley, all of which are 
working successfully. He has also established an automobile delivery to the 
farmers of his vicinity, taking their groceries, meats, hardware, bakery goods, 

to their doors by means of this rapid method of transfer, an innovation 
that i< receiving the support of the fanners. 

Mr. Briggs was united in marriage with Emma Lowell, a native of Cali 
fornia. She died in 1907. Three children were hern to the marriage: Flora, 
wife of Richard Moure, of Oakland: Frank and George, enterprising business 
men of Napa. 



WILLIAM HENRY BEAGLES. 

In writing of those men who have been closely identified with the inter- 

of Xapa county mention should be made' of the late W. II. licagles, who, 
when a Sturdy young man. left home and with friends undertook the trip 
aeross the plains. Born in Washington county, Tenn.. January 16, 1832, when 
a young child he was taken by his parents to Indiana, where they settled and 
passed from earth, leaving this son an orphan at the age of seven years, at 
which time he went to make his home with his grandparents in Tennessee and 
later with a brother in Virginia. His schooling was obtained under diffi- 
culties, but he made the most of his opportunities. At an early age he had to 
income self-supporting and learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet maker, 
with a brother in Virginia. He remained in that state until 1851, when he 
went to Fulton. Callaway county. Mo., where he followed his trade of cabinet 
maker for one year. 

The news Mr. Beagles received from those who were returning from 
California so interested him that he decided to cast in his lot with the western 
country and accordingly outfitted for the trip over desert and mountains. He 
rode a mule most of the way and drove a band of cattle. After a somewhat 
uneventful journey of five months the train arrived in this state and young 
Beagles went to the San Ramon valley in Contra Costa county and secured 
work as a ranch hand, and for the following seven years followed that occupa- 
tion. In 185°- he had made enough money to permit of a visit to his old home 
place and the journey was made by way of Panama to Missouri. Shortly 
after his arrival there he w r as united in marriage, on January 25, 1860. and 
there he and his wife made their home for about four years, when they started 
overland for their home in the west. The trip was made with mules and 
-es and they also brought a band of horses, jacks and jenneys with them, 
selling most of them in Virginia City. Nev., at good prices. The journey was 
made in safety and they arrived in the fall of 1863. June 10 of the following 
year Mr. Beagles came to Xapa valley and his association w r ith the welfare 
of this section dates from that time. He at once began farming and for a 
time carried on operations on the Big Ranch road, the St. Helena road, and 
in 1871 the family settled four miles north of Xapa, which place continued to 
be his home until his death, April 25. 1903. On this ranch Mr. Beagles made 
all of the improvements, planted trees for shade and also fruit trees. The 
ranch comprises one hundred and sixty-two acres and is devoted to general 
farming, twenty acres in prunes, fifty acres in alfalfa and the balance grain 
and pasture land. The beautiful row of shade trees that adorns the approach 
to the house was planted by the family. 

In all matters that pertained to the development of Napa county Mr. 
Beagles was interested ; never an office-seeker, yet he readily assisted those 
men and measures that he considered best for the general welfare of the citi- 
zens. He was a quiet, unostentatious man and made and retained friends 
wherever he went. He was a friend of the public school and served as :i 



558 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

member of the board for some time. He lived by the Golden Rule and at his 
death the county lost a good citizen, and those who knew him best a warm 
friend, and his family a kind and loving husband and father. 



MRS. AMANDA M. BEAGLES. . 

In mentioning the women who have aided in the upbuilding of this western 
commonwealth the one whose name heads this article should not be forgotten. 
She came to California with her husband in 1863, crossing the plains with 
mules and wagon and located in Napa county the following year, and since 
that time has made the county her home. She was born in Fleming county, 
Ky., and is a descendant of an historic southern family. Her father, Isaac R. 
Cassity, was likewise a native of that county and his father, Peter Cassity, 
was a planter in Montgomery county, Ky., and served in the war of 1812. He 
married Mary Armstrong, whose father, Robert, was a native of Virginia and 
owner of the celebrated Hot Springs in Tazewell county, that state. During 
the early settlement of Kentucky he moved there with his family, going by 
wagon and taking his herds of cattle, horses and mules. Purchasing thirteen 
thousand acres of land, he settled down to improve the same and make a home 
among the pioneer surroundings of that section. Part of the property is the 
present site of Mount Sterling, Ky. 

On the maternal side Mrs. Beagles is also well connected, her mother, 
Joyce Davis, born in Montgomery county, Ky., being a daughter of Jesse 
Davis, who was a native of Virginia and who served two years in the Revolu- 
tionary war. His father owned the plantation adjoining that owned by George 
Washington, and the older members of the family were playmates of that 
illustrious general, the hero of the great struggle for independence. 

The marriage of Amanda M. Cassity and William H. Beagles was cele- 
brated in Missouri in 1860. Of this union the following children were born : 
William H., a furniture and carpet dealer in San Francisco; Lucy, wife of 
Henry Clark of Chico; Clara E., Mrs. W. A. Wakerley, of San Francisco; 
Sarah Amanda and Emily Florence, both at home ; Mary E., wife of Henry 
Wolf, of San Francisco ; Joyce A., at home ; Robert L., of Chico ; and Donald 
H., residing on the home place. Charles D. and Walter are deceased. The 
latter was a graduate of Stanford University and died in 1905. The children 
have been reared by their mother and all have become useful in their various 
locations in business and society. 

Since the death of Mr. Beagles, Mrs. Beagles has made her home at their 
old residence north of Napa, where she is surrounded with all the comforts 
made possible by their prosperity, all of which she has been an important 
factor in making possible. She takes great comfort in having her children 
about her and rejoices at their continued successes. She is wonderfully well 
preserved for one of her years and as one of the pioneer women of the state 
of California, gives with a liberal hand towards all worthy charities and be- 
lieves in the advancement of all the interests of the county and state. She is 
a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is greatly loved 
and esteemed by all who know her for her many amiable and noble traits of 
character. 



JOHN YORK. 

The pages of California history are garnished with the heroic lives and 
brave deeds of many who are called pioneers, whose right to distinction is 
found in the fact that they were ready to do and to dare in the name of their 
country and civilization. Among these is John York, now deceased, whose 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 559 

life is an open book today, that all who will may read of the hardship endured 
and the deeds accomplished in the name of the commonwealth. 

lohn York was horn June 15. 1820, in Granger county, Tenn., a sen ol 
Enoch and Nancy (Hill) York, llis primary education was received in that 

county and when he was thirteen years of age his parents moved to Warren 
county. Tenn.. where his home life was continued until 1841. He then <.-\n\ 
ited west and settled in Hade county. Mo., where he followed farming for 
four years. Being a young man of insatiable ambition he was nol content to 
pursue the placid life ^\ an agriculturist, but began to plan for something 
where there was greater opportunity for advancement and distinction. We 
find him. on April 15, 1845, allying himself to the train of Capt. John Grigsby, 
together with David Hudson and William Elliott and over one hundred more 
men. who had prepared to cross the plains to the west. With him he broughl 
his wife and son. William E., the latter then two years of age. Alter a strenu- 
ous trip across the plains this heroic band reached Johnson's ranch on October 
15 oi the same year. Mr. York and the men mentioned continued their trip 
to Napa county and settled at a place then called Hot Springs, but now known 
as Calistoga, reaching this place on November 1, 1845. Mr. York resided in 
Calistoga until the outbreak of the Bear Flag war in June. 1846. when for 
protection, he moved his family to Sonoma. Lieutenant Revere, who com- 
manded a government vessel at San Francisco, and who took charge of the 
forces at Sonoma on the outbreak of hostilities, entrusted Mr. York and Sam 
Kelsey with the important mission of carrying the Bear Flag (which Mrs. 
John York had helped make) from Sonoma to Sacramento, delivering the same 
to Captain Sutter at his fort. 

In the fall of 1846 Mr. York returned to Calistoga and settled on a farm 
now owned by Peter Teale. On the discovery of gold in 1848 he and his 
family went to the mining district and located a mine near Coloma, Eldorado 
county. He then proceeded to Hangtown (Placerville), where he mined with 
1 success until September of that year, at which time he returned to Napa 
county and settled on a ranch near St. Helena, purchased from Dr. E. T. Bale. 
In 1840 he again returned to the mines, and later returned to Napa county. 
From this time until the day of his demise. February 26, 1909. Mr. York was 
identified with every good cause in the county and did much to accomplish 
the success that has attended the efforts of the people to have a section of 
the state that would provide the ideal conditions of home life and civic activity. 
On September 5. 1842. Mr. York married Miss Lucinda Hudson, a native 
of Lafayette county. Mo., born June 20. 1823. and to this union the following 
children were born: William E.. born in Dade county. Mo.. June 5, 1843; 
David, horn at Truckee September 3, 1845 ; Henry, born December 6, 1847, now 
deceased : John A., born April 18. 1850. and now residing in San Tose ; Nancy I., 
born August 12. 1852. now Mrs. McCormick of Napa: Pettis S., born Decem- 
ber 24. 1855. residing in St. Helena; Charles, born March 3. 1858, also of St. 
Helena; Caswell, born November 14, 1860; Frank. January 21, 1863, and 
Nellie. February 13. 1867. are deceased. 



ALBERT A. DICKIE. 

The subject of this sketch was horn in Toronto. Canada, in 1842. and had 
been a resident of Solano county for forty years at the time of his demise. 
During: this time he followed agriculture with much success. The town in 
which he spent most of his time was Suisun, Solano county. Mr. Dickie 
married Miss Mary Brock and to them were born four sons and one daughter: 
Brock. Frank E., Albert. Nellie and Leo. Brock married Miss Marie Mc- 
Arthur. a native daughter, and has two children ; Frank F. married Miss Mabel 
Whitman: Nellie married Dr. S. G. Bran-ford and has three children: Leo 



560 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

married Miss Frances Reed, a native of Indiana, and there is one child, Leo, 
Jr.' After the death of the parents the place was sold to the cement company. 
Leo Dickie in 1908 moved to near Elmira, where he bought one hundred 
and three acres of farm land, which he devotes to raising hay and grain. Some 
cattle and stock are also kept and raised for the market as well as for family 
use. Politically he is independent, and fraternally he belongs to the Odd 
Fellows of Vacaville. 



EDWARD FLETCHER LINCOLN. 

The earliest recollections of Mr. Lincoln cluster around scenes in Cali- 
fornia, for, although not a native son, he was brought to the west during his 
infancy and in all but birth is a typical Californian. Experiences incident to 
frontier existence fell to his lot in boyhood. Among the pictures hanging on 
memory's wall is one of a bear hunt during 1865, when a group of Indians 
came to the cabin and told the family that bears were killing their hogs.. An 
attack was at once started. The grizzlies were pursued and one was wounded 
by the explosion of a gun, but all succeeded in making their escape. To the 
boy of seven years the presence of the Indians and the pursuit of the bears 
formed an event never to be forgotten. Other happenings of those years left 
a lasting impress upon his plastic mind and form interesting memories for 
later years. 

The first few months in the life of Edward Fletcher Lincoln were passed 
at Bunkerhill, Macoupin county, 111., where he was born October 2, 1858, to the 
union of Harry L. and Ann (Fennell) Lincoln, natives respectively of New 
York state and England, the mother having come to the United States at the 
age of seven years. The journey of the family to the west was made via 
Panama in 1859 and a home was established at the head of the Suisun valley. 
Somewhat later the father bought property in Elmira, Solano county, and 
moved into that village, but in a short time sold out and bought a farm in the 
Capay valley, Yolo county. When less than eighteen years of age Edward 
moved with the family to San Jose and there completed his schooling by taking 
the first year's work in the high school. In 1877 he moved with his parents to 
Calistoga, Napa county, and there remained with them until his marriage at 
Napa, March 19. 1884, to Miss Mary Haeckl, a native of Melbourne, Australia, 
and the daughter of Louis and Johanna (Kelly) Haeckl, natives of Alsace, 
France, and Edinburgh, Scotland, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Haeckl were 
married in Australia, and in 1865 they started for San Francisco. Being ship- 
wrecked off Tahiti, they remained there one year and again started for San 
Francisco. Mr. Haeckl was first engaged in the hotel business and later in a 
mercantile business in Calistoga. He died in 1898 and his wife the next year. 
Of the twelve children born to them ten are living, Mrs. Lincoln being the 
oldest. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln comprises six children, namely: 
Lloyd E., Alva and Clement L., all of whom completed the studies of Napa 
Business College ; George A. ; Edna M. and Eva Elizabeth, who are pupils in 
the public schools. Lloyd and Alva conduct a blacksmith shop in Oakville, 
where they started in the business some five years ago. Since then they have 
built up an important trade and also do all kinds of repair work. In addition 
they have a plumbing outfit and are equipped for work in that line. Clement 
L., after taking a course in stenography, secured a position with the govern- 
ment in 1910 and since then has been connected with the forest reserve, having 
his headquarters at Mare Island. 

With a brother Mr. Lincoln bought three hundred acres in Berryessa 
valley and remained there for four years. Eventually he came to Napa valley 
and bought forty acres near. Oakville, where he now makes his home. The 
home farm contains a vineyard of ten acres and a prune orchard of seven acres, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 563 

fourteen acres arc in alfalfa and the balance of the estate is in pasture, there 
being five head of horses kepi on the farm and ten head of dairy cows. The 
value of the homestead is heightened by the presence of a spring of pure, clear 
water, flowing at the rate of fifteen gallons per minute, equipped with a pump- 
ing plant for irrigating vegetables, berries and alfalfa. Aside from taking 
charge <'i the farm Mr. Lincoln finds leisure for keeping abreasl of the times 
and is posted concerning local matters, and takes an active part in public 
movements that tend to the upbuilding of the community. His views bring 
him mto sympathy with the Republican party and he always votes that ticket. 



WILLIAM G. BAIRD. 

The life history of Mr. Laird is one full iA interest because of the varied 
experiences through which he has passed in his man}- travels, lie was born 
in Bruce. Ontario. Canada, in 1864, and spent his early boyhood days there, 
and besides attending school, learned the trade of cornice-maker. At the age 
of fourteen he left his Canadian home, going to Iowa, and from there went 
to Missoula. Mont., in 1887. Subsequently he came to the far west. Locating 
in Tacoma and Seattle. Wash. In all of the places mentioned he followed 
his trade. Going to the west coast of British Columbia he engaged in the 
salmon canning business at Lowe Inlet, an enterprise in which he was very 
successful. Subsequently, in 1898. he went to Dawson, Alaska, going over 
the Chilcoot Pass, then by scows down the Yukon to his destination. At 
Dawson he was proprietor of the Rochester hotel and had a very large 
acquaintance, by whom he was familiarly known as Billy Baird. In addition 
to running the hotel he also engaged in mining, locating a mine on Dominion 
creek. After an experience in Alaska lasting five years he came back to Cali- 
fornia, in 1903. going direct to San Francisco. 

Mr. Baird located in Napa county in 1909, when he purchased sixty-five 
acres on the Cutting ranch, and began to make improvements on the property 
with a view to making a permanent home for himself and wife, who was Miss 
Blanch Lambert, a native of Stockton. Cal., and whom he married on his 
return from Alaska in 1903. Fifteen acres of the ranch are in pears, prunes 
and peaches and ten acres in Gravenstein apples. These are all bearing trees 
and Mr. Baird has recently set out twenty-five acres of Bartlett pear trees. 
I lis ranch is in a flourishing condition, netting a nice income, and is a credit to 
the valley, as well as an indication of those inherent qualities which have 
made success attend Mr. Baird in his various undertakings. His investments 
are not all confined to his local ranch property, for he has real estate holdings 
in Seattle. Stockton. Oakland and Napa. While residing in Victoria. British 
Columbia, he became a member of Columbia Lodge Xo. 2. I. O. O. F.. and 
still retains his membership in that organization. 

Mr Baird takes especial interest in thoroughbred horses and owns a valu- 
able standard mare, Lady Ormo. of which he is very proud. She is by Nut- 
wood Wilkes, dam by Search Light, second dam by Director, third dam by 
Nutwood, fourth dam by George M. Patchen. Jr., and fifth dam by William- 
son's Belmont. 



BEXFDFTTO P ASS A LACQUA. 

\ native of Italy. Mr. Passalacqua was born in Genoa, in March, 1843, 
the son of Lorenzo and Rosa (Rocataliata ) Passalacqua. who never left their 
native Italy. As a boy. farming did not appeal to him. but instead the sea 
offered inducements that promised a livelihood and congenial employment 
at the same time. At first he sailed on fishing vessels from France and later 



564 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

followed the sea on merchant sailing vessels. It was on one of these expedi- 
tions that he came to California, landing at San Francisco in September, 1863. 
He did not settle down to the life of the landsman until two years after locat- 
ing here, but after sailing in fishing vessels from that port for the period men- 
tioned he engaged in farming near Half Moon bay, about sixteen miles from 
San Francisco. The raising of vegetables for the San Francisco markets was 
a business that promised good returns and might have been realized by Mr. 
Passalacqua had not the transportation charges been so expensive that little 
or nothing was left. Subsequently he engaged in the coal and wood business 
in San Francisco for three years, and still later, for two years, was interested 
in the liquor business in the same city. 

It was after the various experiences just mentioned that Mr. Passalacqua 
came to Vallejo in 1870. Though his experience in raising vegetables near 
San Francisco had not been a financial success, owing to prohibitive trans- 
portation charges, it had demonstrated to him that under right conditions the 
business could be carried on at a large profit, and with this idea as an incen- 
tive he rented fifty-four acres of land three miles north of Vallejo and began 
raising vegetables on a large scale. It was not long before his venture passed 
the experimental stage, for as his was the first ranch of the kind throughout 
this section of the country, his produce was in great demand and brought him 
good prices. Twenty-five men were given employment on the ranch. After 
remaining on the ranch for six years Mr. Passalacqua moved into town in 
1876 and during that year he established the Centennial market, which has 
supplied the citizens of Vallejo with the choicest of vegetables and fruits for 
the past thirty-five years. Shortly after establishing the market he bought 
thirteen acres of land on Tennessee and Napa road, Vallejo, and this he now 
rents. Mr. Passalacqua's marriage in 1870 united him with Miss Anna 
Repetto, who was also born in Italy, and their son, R. J., now conducts the 
Centennial market. It is now nearly half a century since Mr. Passalacqua 
came to this country a poor boy, and in the years that have passed he has 
accumulated considerable means, owning valuable property in town, besides 
city lots that are constantly increasing in value. 



WILLIAM T. O'DONNELL. 

The present city attorney of Vallejo is sustaining well merited recognition 
in a profession having important bearings upon the progress and prosperity 
of any community, one which long has been considered as conserving the 
public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual 
rights. During his tenure of office, which was inaugurated by his election in 
April, 1910, he has stood for the highest and best ideals of his office, retaining 
at all times the confidence of the people, and has added to his reputation as a 
lawyer won by honest and earnest labor. 

Mr. O'Donnell is a son of one of the pioneer families of the state of Cali- 
fornia and a native of this state, having been born on a farm near the town 
of Benicia, Solano county. His father, John O'Donnell, was born in Ireland, 
came to America in the year 1847, and farmed in Onondaga county, N. Y., until 
1852, on January 5 of which year he sailed from New York for California. He 
was shipwrecked on the voyage, but ultimately arrived in San Francisco in 
April of that year, and later he was employed at the Mare Island navy yard, 
then under the command of Admiral Farragut. In the year 1854 he purchased 
some land in Sulphur Spring valley near the town of Benicia, and here he was 
residing at the time of his death in 1896, owning at that time a farm of two 
hundred and forty acres, and subsequently this ranch was sold to Kullman- 
Salz Company, and is now the site of what is known as Lake Herman and the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND \\l'\ COUNTIES 565 

source of the Benicia Water Works, the place being purchased for that pur- 
pose from his wife, fohn O'Donnell married, in San Francisco, Ellen Kelly, 
who survived her husband and died in 1910. They were the parents of four 

children: Minnie L., who was the wife of Richard Coleman, and died in 1908; 
John V., who died iii 1907; \nnie EL, of Vallejo; and William T.. of whom we 

write. 

William T. O'Donnell early evidenced tendencies to more than average 
scholarship, and after completing with credit the public school curriculum, 
entered the St. Augustine Military Academy, at I'.cnicia, from which insti- 
tution he was duly graduated. This was one of the early and famous seats oi 
learning of California, and from its halls have gone forth, to adorn the best 
vocations represented in the west, many since widely known in the cast 
country. Immediately following his graduation from St. Augustine's Mr. 
O'Donnell was appointed by the secretary of the navy, bookkeeper in the sup- 
plies and accounts department at Mare tsland navy yard, and shortly thereafter 
was promoted to the position of chief of the bookkeeping department. This 

lion he held for fifteen years, and then resigned to look after his business 
interests, and to practice law, for which he in the meantime had qualified. 
He is now holding office a- city attorney through re-appointment by the city 
council, having assumed office on the "first of July. 1911, under a new city 
charter. 

Conspicuous aids to Mr. O'Donnell in his professional and public life are 
enial and adaptive personality and large capacity for promoting the social 
and general welfare of the community. He is a charter member of the Vallejo 
Lodge of Elks, and a past exalted ruler of that body, and for several years he 
financial secretary to Vallejo Council Royal Arcanum. In his ea- 
pacity as lessee <>i the Farragut Theatre, he maintains close and agreeable 
relations with the amusement loving public, and evidences clear perception 
of what both pleases and instructs his patrons. 



WILLIAM E. YORK. 

A native of Missouri, William E. York was born in Dade county, June 5, 
1843. and is the son of John and Luanda (Hudson) York, who were pioneers 
of California, coming here in 1845 across the plains in the Grigsby train. 
William E. York was then two years of age, and is today the second oldest 
settler in Xapa county, as there is only one other of the train living in Napa 
county at present, viz., M. S. Hudson. 

William E. York was educated in the public schools and was reared to 
the life of a farmer and horticulturist, which business he has always followed, 
first on his father's ranch. He then purchased a part of the old place, and 
built his residence and made all the improvements, now having a ranch of 
thirtv-three acres in the western portion of St. Helena. He set out the orchard 
and vineyard himself, seven acres in French prunes and the balance in grapes. 

The marriage of William E. York and Frances E. Mills was celebrated 
in St. Helena. February 21. 1867. Mrs. York was born in Ottawa. 111., and 
came with her parents to California in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. York are the 
parents i>f two children. Clara J.. Mrs. C. F. Palmer of St. Helena, and John 
T.. a graduate of Hastings Law School, San Francisco, and now a practicing 
attorney-at-law in Xapa. Mr. York served for eleven years as a member of 
the board of trustees of St. Helena, and for two terms was mayor or chairman 
of the board, and during his term the city hall was built. Politically he is an 
Independent. Mr. York is a member of the Society of California Pioneers 
of San Francisco. It is to such men as he that Xapa county today owes its 
prosperity, for by his unceasing energy and perseverance he has ever been 



566 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ready to give of his time and means to any worthy enterprise that has for its 
object the betterment and upbuilding of the community. 



MICHAEL ENRIGHT. 

Near where the limpid waters of the river Shannon enter the Atlantic 
ocean on the rock-bound coast of Ireland lies the little village of Ballylong- 
ford, a somewhat important trading point in County Kerry. It was there 
that Michael Enright was born, there he received such educational advan- 
tages as limited opportunities afforded and there he began in boyhood the 
stern struggle with hardships in an attempt to earn a livelihood. During 
1882, when twenty-five years old, he crossed the ocean to the United States, 
well qualified to earn a livelihood through an accurate knowledge of the 
building business and his skill as a carpenter. 

After having worked at his trade in New York and Pittsburg, in 1884 
Michael Enright came to California and settled at Vallejo, where his sterling 
qualities of head and heart at once won for him an enviable place in the social 
and industrial activities of the town. Early in the '90s he married Nora 
Galvin, a sister of Mrs. James Moran, and a woman of devoted, generous dis- 
position, active in charitable work and enjoying, with him, the esteem of a 
large circle of acquaintances. Her parents, like his own, were natives of 
Ireland and descendants of Irish ancestry. During the last sixteen years of 
his life Mr. Enright was employed as a ship joiner in the navy yard and 
while thus engaged his death occurred very suddenly, September 14, 1909. 
Since his demise the widow has continued at the old home in Vallejo. As a 
citizen he was public spirited, as a husband thoughtful, as a neighbor generous 
and as a man he exhibited the traits that win and retain the admiration of all. 



CHARLES HENRY NEWMAN. 

A native of England, Charles H. Newman was born in Tweksbury. in 
1846. He came to the United- States a youth and served in the United States 
navy for three years. In 1868 he came to California and located nine miles 
from Solano county, where he became a large farmer and was extensively 
engaged in grain raising and steam threshing. He died on his ranch in 1901. 
He was a prominent Republican, served as assistant sergeant-at-arms in the 
state legislature and as deputy revenue collector. He was a member of the 
Masons and the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Mr. Newman was married in Dixon to May Udell, the daughter of Dr. 
Oliver Cromwell and Caroline (Winton) Udell, natives of Ashtabula county, 
Ohio, and Crawford county, Pa., respectively. Dr. Udell was a graduate 
physician, practicing in Davis county, Iowa. In 1850 he crossed the plains 
to California, remaining a year, when he returned to Iowa and in 1852 brought 
his family across the plains and also a herd of cattle, locating on the plains of 
Solano county, and becoming a large land owner and cattle man. His death 
occurred in 1872. Since 1880 Mrs. Udell has made her home in Dixon ; she 
is now eighty-five and hale and hearty. 

Mr. and Mrs. Newman had two children, Oliver C, of Vallejo, and Ed- 
ward W., of Suisun. His widow, some time after his death, married James 
Marshall, who is engaged in the mercantile business on Georgia street in 
Vallejo. Mrs. Marshall is a member and junior past matron of Silver Star 
Chapter No. 3, O. E. S., of Vallejo. 




sffl.%. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 569 

GEORGE K. TURNER. 

\mong the settlers in Solano county in the year 1852 was William II. 
Turner, whose efforts have not been inconsiderable in bringing the reputation 

of the county up to it.- present standard as an agricultural center. He was a 

native oi Virginia and was attracted to California during- the period of the 

I excitement on account ^i the mining possibilities, and his 6rs1 occupation 

was along this line. Whatever his success as a miner may have been, it is 
known that he was sufficiently satisfied with the outlook in this section of 
the country to determine to make it his future home, as was demonstrated 
when he returned east for his family. Settling up his affairs in Cape Girardeau 
county. Mo., he again made the overland journey, which came to an end in 
Suisun, Solano county, August 28, 1852. On a ranch four miles north of town 
he settled and erected a comfortable house for his family from redwood timber 
that he hauled from the Napa redwoods. Subsequently he removed to a ranch 
<^i two hundred and thirty-eight acre- not far from his former ranch, and 
here he passed the remainder of his life. His first marriage united him with 
Susan J. Elliott, by whom he had nine children, hut of these only one is living, 
Charles M.. of whom a sketch will he found elsewhere. By his marriage with 
Salina J. Rogers. September 27. 1871. six children were horn, and of these 
three are living. George, the subject of this sketch; Leland J., in Benicia; and 
Virgil F., in San Jose. 

George R. Turner was born on the old William II. Turner place near 
Suisun August 3. 1874. and. received his education in the public schools of 
5 ano county, besides which he attended Xapa College. After the completion 
of his education he undertook farming on his own account on the ranch that 
he cultivates today, comprising eighty-three acres of splendid orchard land, 
and which was formerly part of the old Harper place. It is located two mile- 
west of Fairfield, and every acre is in hearing trees, principally Bartlett pears 
and French prunes. Since taking charge of this property Mr. Turner has im- 
proved its appearance and usefulness in every way possible, the more notice- 
able improvements being the fine residence, suitable barns and a packing 
h<>use for the proper handling of the fruit. As one of the rising young horti- 
culturists of this section his accomplishments are watched with interest and 
judging by his past success a brilliant future lies before him. 

Mr. Turner's marriage Septemher 11. 1902. united him with Miss Etta 
Rickard, a native of Oakland, and the daughter of George Rickard, a builder 
in that city. She died in Ilemet. Cal.. March 15. 1908. In his political sympa- 
thies Mr. Turner is a Republican, is a member of the Methodist Church, and 
fraternally is affiliated with Suisun Lodge Xo. 78. I. O. O. F., and Suisun 
Lodge \,, in, K. of P. Personally he is a man who is kindly disposed and 
sympathetic toward those less fortunate than himself, and it goes without 
saying that his friends are numerous. 



EMANUEL VINCENT WILLIAMS. 

A- a well-known citizen of Solano county and a fine representative of the 
native-horn sons of California. Emanuel V. Williams, of Yallejo. is deserving 
of mention in this volume. A man of enterprise, intelligence and keen fore 
sight, he takes an active interest in all matters relating to the welfare of city 
ami county, as was demonstrated when he gave his support in bringing about 
a new order of things in governmental affairs in his home city in October. 
1910. Me is a son of Jeremiah Williams, who was horn in County Cork. Ire 
land, but who left his native land when a youth and never returned to the 
home of his forefather-. From Ireland he went directly to Canada, remaining 
there for a time, when he went to New Zealand, ami during the '60s made 



570 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

his way to California and located in Vallejo. His ability as a landscape 
gardener was employed to good advantage in the government service at Mare 
Island, a position in which he took the keenest pride, as the artistic appear- 
ance of the grounds plainly demonstrated during the entire period of his 
service in this capacity. He passed away in the family home in Vallejo in 
1907, and just three weeks after his death his wife, formerly Julia Scannell, 
also passed away. Their marriage was solemnized in Boston, Mass., and 
resulted in the birth of two children, Emanuel V. and William P., both of 
whom are employed in the navy yard, the latter as a machinist. 

The elder of the two sons, Emanuel V. Williams, was born in Vallejo 
November 29, 1871, and has never known any other home than his native 
city. Here he was reared and educated, attending both the common and 
high schools, and upon leaving school he began to prepare for his future by 
apprenticing himself to the blacksmith's trade at the Mare Island navy yard. 
This was in 1887. and he has never held a position outside of the navy yard, 
in the meantime having risen by competitive right to one of the most respon- 
sible positions in the yard. A series of promotions culminated in his appoint- 
ment as quarterman shipsmith on January 1, 1910, and he has held this 
position ever since, to the complete satisfaction of his superiors. 

In San Francisco Mr. Williams was married to Miss Anne Glynn, who 
was born in Vallejo. the daughter of Thomas Glynn, a well-known rancher 
in the vicinity of Vallejo. One child, Ruth Helen, has been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Williams. Mr. Williams' social and fraternal associations ally him with 
the Knights of Columbus, Red Men, Young Men's Institute, Ancient Order 
of Hibernians, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and politi- 
cally he is a Democrat. An an active member of his chosen party, he was 
chosen chairman of the city Democratic committee on one occasion, besides 
Avhich he has represented his party as a member of the county and state com- 
mittees. Mr. Williams has always been alert to note and take advantage of 
whatever meant an uplift to individual or community and it therefore goes 
without saying that he is in hearty sympathy with the idea of placing the 
power of the government in the hands of the people. In October, 1910, he 
was elected a member of the board of freeholders, which framed the new 
city charter, whereby the commission form of government superseded the 
old worn-out methods. 



LUCIAN EMANUEL LIGHT. 

In Santa Rosa, Cal., Lucian E. Light was born January 17, 1862, the son 
of Emanuel Light, a native of Virginia, who came to California in 1853 and 
for many years was closely associated with the state of his adoption. He has 
the distinction of having built the first hotel in Santa Rosa, having at that 
time owned one hundred acres of fertile land where Santa Rosa now stands. 
For nine years he was a permanent resident of the city he helped to found 
and build up, and then after various wanderings he found himself in Solano 
county, and here he died in 1897. He had brought to California with him in 
1853. a young wife, a native of Indiana, who survived him but one year. There 
were six children born to this marriage, five sons and one daughter. Three of 
the sons are deceased, and those surviving are all residents of Vacaville. Cal. 

Lucian E. Light received his education in the public and high schools of 
Santa Rosa. He worked intermittently for his father at the carpenter's trade 
until he reached the age of sixteen, then he settled down in earnest to learn it. 
For ten years he was very happily associated with his father in this business 
and then realizing that there were greater opportunities for his own develop- 
ment in working for himself, he entered the trade as an employer of labor. 
Until 1891 he followed this trade, but in that vear moved to Vacaville and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 571 

took up ranching, finding the change of occupation beneficial. However, after 
following it for eighteen year- he gave it it]) and took up cabinet work and 
upholstering, his present employment. 

Mr. Light married Miss Mary Ellen Wilson, a native ol Iowa, who came 
to California with her parent- several years ago. Her parents are both de- 
ceased. She has four brother- living, one in I'kiah. two in Santa Monica, and 
one in Vacaville. 

Mr. Light owns his residence on Merchant street, where he has his 
cabinet shop. When he came to Vacaville there were no orchards, only large 
waving grain fields, and the only buildings that were hen were wooden 
shacks. Politically he is a Republican. 



JOHN' RAYMOND WHITAKER. 

The early experiences of John R. Whitaker cluster around one of the 
most picturesque spots in the middle west. Lake Geneva. Walworth county. 
Wis., where he was born May 20. 1848. He is a son of Jacob Whitaker, who 
was born in the Canton of Zurich. Switzerland, but who left that country with 
his parents when he was four years old and settled in Canada. His boyhood, 
youth and young manhood were passed there and it was not until after his 
marriage that he was impressed with the desire to investigate the frontier 
of Wisconsin with the idea of settling there permanently. The investigation 
proved satisfactory and resulted in the purchase of a farm upon which all 
went well until the discovery of gold in California. Leaving his wife in 
charge of the farm on Lake Geneva he started to cross the plains in 1849. 
ox-teams furnishing the motive power, and Hangtown (now Placerville) was 
finallv reached. For many years Mr. Whitaker followed placer mining there. 
later carrying on quartz mining in Amador county, and indeed throughout 
the remainder of his active years he was interested in mining in one form or 
another. As old age approached and made active work undesirable, he re- 
tired to the home of his son at Vallejo and there he died in 1903. Mention 
has been made of his marriage in Canada. His wife was Mary Hammond 
before her marriage and she was born in Canada, but she died wdiile Mr. 
Whitaker was engaged in mining in Amador county. Three sons were born 
^>\ this marriage, of whom two are living. One of the sons, Joseph, enlisted in 
the Second Wisconsin Infantry and participated in the first battle of Bull 
Run. but on account of wounds received in that conflict he was compelled to 
retire from the service and finally returned to his home in Wisconsin. How- 
ever, after he had recovered sufficiently to do so, he re-enlisted in the Ninth 
Wisconsin, but as before he was wounded and was given an honorable dis- 
charge. His interest in activities would not permit him to engage in any 
business affairs while the dreaded conflict was being waged, and inasmuch as 
he could not take an active part, he raised a company which was known as 
the Twenty-second Wisconsin Infantry, of which he was elected first lieu- 
tenant, later promoted to captain, and as such he was mustered out at the 
close of the war. on the Rio Grande, in Texas. He now resides in Fruitvale, 
Cal. Peter J. Whitaker participated in the Civil war as a member of the 
Ninth Wisconsin Infantry, and like his brother was twice wounded in battle. 
Besides the physical suffering, he endured even greater agony during the 
four months of his incarceration in Libby prison. Finally he was exchanged, 
and after a service of three years he was given an honorable discharge. He 
ultimately came to California, and his death occurred in Napa county in 1905. 
The youngest of the three children comprising the parental family. John 
R. Whitaker. passed his childhood years in Burlington. Wis., where he at- 
tended school, and when his mother went to California to join the father he 
remained behind and continued his studies. In 1868 he graduated from the 



572 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

high school of Milwaukee and the following year he came to the west, but not 
by the slow method that the others of the family had employed. He was one 
of the passengers on the first through train and crossed Promontory Point 
soon after the golden spike had been driven. While in Burlington he had 
learned the drug business, a knowledge which proved a valuable asset, for it 
enabled him to apply for and secure a position as drug clerk in San Francisco. 
From that city he came to Vallejo in 1873 and subsequently joined the navy 
as paymaster's clerk, being detailed for service on the old steamer Saranac. 
He remained in the latter position for eighteen months, after which he was 
connected with the Mare Island navy yard as apothecary for the following 
twelve years. He resigned this position in 1886, having entered into the drug- 
business in Vallejo, and during this time he was elected city superintendent 
of schools of Vallejo, and for six years he served in this capacity with great 
credit, bringing the schools up to a higher standard than had ever been 
reached. In 1894 he gave up the drug business to accept the position of 
clerk to the commandant at the Mare Island navy yard, and he has held this 
continuously ever since. In April, 1904, he was elected a member of the 
board of education of Vallejo, and at the expiration of each term he has been 
re-elected, at the formation of the board, in July, 1911, being chosen president. 
It thus fell to him to preside at the dedication exercises (January 26, 1912) 
of the new high school building, which is conceded to be one of the most com- 
plete school buildings in the state, equipped with every modern aopliance 
applicable to school work. Honors came to Mr. Whitaker in 1898 that indi- 
cated his ability in still another direction. In that year he was elected a mem- 
ber of the board of freeholders that framed the new charter, this being ratified 
in December, 1898, and adopted by the legislature in March, 1899. 

The marriage of John R. Whitaker and Miss Minnie B. Brennan was 
celebrated in Vallejo, she being a native of Mare Island and the daughter of 
Thomas Brennan, one of the pioneer settlers of Vallejo. Two daughters have 
been born to them, Marie A. and Carolene C, both of whom are attending 
high school. Mr. Whitaker is a member of Vallejo Lodge No. 559, B. P. O. E., 
and has been secretary of his lodge since its organization in 1900. He is also 
a member of the Knights of Columbus, and from the time of its organization 
in 1905 until September, 1911, he filled the office of secretary, resigning the 
office on the latter date. In addition to his other affiliations he is a member 
of the Royal Arcanum, and politically he is a Democrat, and as a member of 
the county central committee for many years he has done much to maintain 
the principles for which that party stands. 



JAMES E. GALBREATH. 

Among the residents of California, and particularly Napa county, who are 
natives of Missouri and who have come here and made a success of their 
lives none deserves more credit than does James E. Galbreath, a well-known 
resident of Capell valley, Napa county. He was born in Callaway county, 
Mo., June 23. 1843. At the age of ten years, in company with his parents, he 
crossed the plains to California in 1853, via the sink of the Humboldt. Arriv- 
ing at Hangtown the party proceeded thence to San Jose, where the Gal- 
breath family located and resided for twenty years on rented land. On leaving 
San Jose, Mr. Galbreath came to Capell valley, Napa county, and bought one 
hundred and sixty acres of land twenty-two years ago, paying $2,000 for the 
same. When he secured this land it was rough and covered with underbrush 
and timber, but he began clearing it and in time had seventy acres of good 
arable land, besides which he built a house, outbuildings, barns and fences. 
Ten acres are in alfalfa and the owner keeps a few cattle, horses, hogs, and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\n NAPA COUNTIES 575 

also has an orchard and garden for family use. The balance of the land is 
pasl 

Mr. Galbreath formed domestic ties when he married Miss Helen M. 
Burrell. Her father came across the plains in 1849, and later returned for the 
family, finally locating in the Soscol hills, ami remaining there until his 
death. To Mr. and Mrs. Galbreath there were born six children: Janus V. 
Herbert, Raymond. Alice M.. Eva and May. James has been in Uaska for 
the last t\\<> year-: Mice married Waller Shaves, and they and their child 
reside in Napa; Eva married William Harrison, of Napa, and they have one 
child: May married Henry Gaylord, of Berkeley, and tlu\ have two children; 
and Herbert married Myrtle Burns and they reside in Iowa. For several 
years Mr. Galbreath has been a school trustee, taking a greal interest in the 
educational work of the young, lie is a Democrat in politics. 



JOHN CRAWFORD SULLENGER. 

Through a residence near the Atlantic coast during early boyhood and 
an identification in youth with the Mississippi valley as well as a subsequent 

•ciation with the development of the west. Mr. Sullenger has gained a 
thorough knowledge of various sections of the country, and it is his sincere 
conviction that nowhere are the opportunities greater or the climate more 
healthful than in the commonwealth of California, whose attractions have 
drawn to its citizenship a vast concourse of men from all portions of the 
world. Of old southern lineage on the paternal side, he was born in North 
Carolina October 25. 1833. being a son of William and Millie (Stewart) 
Sullenger. the former a native of Xorth Carolina, the latter born and reared 
in Pennsylvania. As early as 1843 the family became pioneers of Missouri 
and settled in Ray county, where the father took up a tract of raw land and 
improved a farm. From early manhood he had engaged in civil engineering 
and for years he worked under the government in that capacity. After sec- 
tionizing the counties <^i Ray and Clay in Missouri he was chosen to fill the 
office of county surveyor and continued in that position until the time of his 
death, which occurred about 1890 at the old homestead. 

As early as 1850 one of the sons of William Sullenger had crossed the 
plains with Robert James, father of the noted outlaws of Missouri, and after 
his arrival in California he had engaged with George C. Yount, the first white 
-ettler in the Napa valley, as foreman on his ranch. For years there lived 
with the family of Mr. Yount a woman who had crossed the plains during the 
early 50'- and during the journey had been scalped by the savages, hut she had 
survived the ordeal and lived t<> an advanced age. Many others of the early 
emigrant^ had suffered at the hands of the hostile Indians and not a few had 
met death on their way to the west. John C. who was one of the fourteen 
children in the Sullenger family, crossed the plains in 1851 after having 
worked for a time both at St. Joseph anil at Savannah. Mo. The party which 
he accompanied was under the leadership of Captain Phillips, his cousin. 
( >xen vv ere used as motive power. The emigrants traveled along the North 
Platte river into Wyoming, thence followed the trail into Idaho, where they 
went along the banks of the Snake river until they reached the Rlue moun- 
tains. After they had crossed this range they followed the route of the 
Columbia river until they arrived at Portland. Ore., where they dispersed 
toward their several destinations. The journey had been made without mis 
hau other than tin loss , ,f a few head of cattle near the North Platte river. 

Autumn of 1X51 found John C. Sullenger in San Francisco, whence he 
pursued his way to Calaveras county and became interested in farming. 
Later he went to Mud Springs, Placer county, and worked in the mines. For 
some year- he -pent his winters in Xapa county and hi- summers at the mil 



576 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

When he quit the mines he was working in Butte county and on the last day 
he and his partner made $150 each. Gold had drifted under a rock in a channel 
and they blew the rock out of the creek, thus securing their large find. The 
snow had become so deep that it was impossible to remain, so with their bags 
of gold they sought civilization, leaving their camp which had been located 
on the south branch of the south fork of the Feather river in Butte county, 
above Oroville, in the Sierra Nevada mountains. That was practically the 
end of Mr. Sullenger's mining for gold, although later he located a mine in the 
Pope valley and now owns two-thirds interest in a quicksilver mine in the 
Napa mountains, where he and his partner have tunneled a shaft and have 
taken out $500 worth of the metal. 

. Almost fifty years ago Mr. Sullenger bought one hundred and fifty acres 
in Napa valley and he still owns sixty acres of the tract, extending from the 
county road' to the center of Napa creek. The land, which lies near Oakville 
and is very valuable, is largely under meadow and grain, but there is also a 
family orchard in good bearing condition and fifty vines furnish delicious 
grapes for the table. Three head of horses are kept on the farm for work 
purposes. From youth he has maintained a warm interest in public affairs 
and has voted for Democratic presidential candidates, but in local elections 
he has voted for the men best qualified to represent the people, without regard 
to their political views. For many years he served as school trustee. 

The first marriage of Mr. Sullenger was solemnized in San Francisco and 
united him with Miss Mary A. Donahue, who was born in Massachusetts and 
died in California. Afterward he was united with Miss Mary McCarthy, by 
whom he has six children. The children born of the first marriage were as 
follows : John C, of Contra Costa county, who is married and has four chil- 
dren ; James, who died of smallpox in Alaska; Mary, the widow of Charles 
Dougherty, who lost his life in mines in the state of Nevada ; and Catherine, 
first the wife of Edward Butler and after his demise married to Arthur Briggs. 
Mrs. Dougherty has one child and Mrs. Briggs is the mother of three. The 
six children of the second marriage were named as follows : Charles, who is 
married; Lee, deceased; May, Mrs. Henry Wyman, the mother of one child, 
Flora; Ella, Mrs. Joseph Martin; Mrs. Emma Wells; and Marie, who is the 
wife of Robert McPhail and resides in Oakland. 



HON. FRANK L. COOMBS. 

Of the many progressive citizens of Napa • county there is none better 
known than Frank L. Coombs, who, as the incumbent of various positions of 
trust and honor, has borne a distinguished part in state, national and inter- 
national affairs. Not alone through his labors in the state assembly and the 
national halls of congress, but also through his representation of the United 
States in a foreign empire, his name is entitled to perpetuation in the annals 
of his country. He was born near Napa, on a ranch owned by his father, 
Nathan Coombs, December 27, 1853, and was educated in the local schools of 
the county. Later he entered the Columbia Law School of Washington, 
D. C, from which he was graduated June 10, 1875, and during the same year 
he was admitted to the supreme court of Washington and the supreme court 
of California. Early in 1876 he opened an office at Napa and at once took 
an active and leading position among the young attorneys of the town. In 
September, 1879, he was elected district attorney of Napa county, on the 
Republican ticket, and re-elected in 1882, holding the office two terms. He 
was elected to represent Napa county in the legislature for the sessions of 
1887, 1889, 1891 and 1897. In 1891 and 1897 he had the additional honor of 
being chosen speaker of the house. In 1892 President Harrison appointed him 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 577 

United States minister to Japan, where he represented our nation with tact and 
ability. Returning to the United States in 1893 he resumed his professional 
labors until 1899, when he was appointed United States attorney for the ? 

northern district oi California, which position he filled two years. In 1901 ' < t oC ■ 
he was elected to represent his district in congress. On the expiration of 
his term of office, in March. 1903, he resinned the practice of law in Napa and 
has so continued up to the present time. While in public life his name was 
associated with the principal events in public affairs, lie always fought for 
reforms. While minister to Japan he secured action from the imperial gov- 
ernment restraining the immigration of Japanese laborers to America, this 
being the initiative in this direction. While in congress it was largely through 
his work that the present Chinese restrictive measures were shaped, from 
him came the idea of prohibiting the Chinese from going to our new posses- 
sions and usurping the fields where the natives were to be shown the new 
roads to progress. The present policy of returning the insane and criminals 
to their own country was first formulated and suggested by him in the plat- 
form of the Republican partv adopted in the state convention at Sacramento 
in 1900. 

December 27. 1876. Mr. Coombs was united in marriage with Isabelle 
•M. Roper, daughter of Foster Roper, of Boston, Mass.. where she was born 
and reared and educated in the local schools, after which she attended Mount 
Holyoke Seminary, where her education was completed; later she taught in 
the Boston public schools for a time. Of this union there are three children : 
Nathan F.. the present district attorney of Xapa county; Amy and Dorothy. 
The elder daughter. Amy, married Harry Dunlap, son of Sheriff D. A. Dunlap, 
in 1909 Fraternally Mr. Coombs is a member of the Elks, the Odd Fellows 
and Eagles, and Native Sons of the Golden West, and in the latter order has 
been honored with the office of grand president. 



JAMES TOPLEY. 

The sterling traits of character that proved such important factors in 
the successful career of James Topley came to him as an inheritance from a 
long line of Irish ancestor, the family having been identified with the Emerald 
Isle for many generations, and in transmission to the present generation 
these traits have not lost their force, as is indicated by the accomplishments 
of the two sons who perpetuate the name of their worthy father and continue 
the drug business which he founded in Vallejo many years ago. 

Born in Dublin. Ireland, in 1826. when a youth James Topley left his 
native land and located in Kingston. Canada, there making his home with 
relatives. Farming at first engaged his attention and energies, but as the 
work was not congenial he gave it up and turned his attention to commercial 
pursuits, working first as a clerk in a store in Kingston and later in New 
York. He was employed in the latter city when the breaking out of the Mexi- 
can war interrupted the course which he had entered upon with such success. 
Giving up his clerkship, he enlisted in the First Xew York Regiment, com- 
manded by Colonel Ward B. Burnett, and later known as the Second Regi- 
ment. Under General Scott the young volunteer saw service in the battles of 
Vera Cruz. Cerro Gordo. Contreras. the Storming of Chapultepec. Garepa de 
Belen, and he also participated in street fights in the City of Mexico. After 
the close of hostilities he returned with his regiment to Hamilton. N. Y., where 
he received his honorable discharge. 

On his return from the war. through the influence of Colonel Burnett, a 
civil engineer in the Philadelphia navy yard. James Topley secured employ- 
ment with the United States Dry Dock Company, retaining this position until 



578 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

1852, when he was sent to California in company with others to aid in building 
the dry docks at the Mare Island navy yard. After completing his engage- 
ment there he severed his connection with the company and instead became 
interested in mining, going for this purpose to the mountains of Nevada 
county. It is safe to say that the venture did not prove all that he had ex- 
pected, for he soon gave it up and upon returning to Vallejo, was for a time 
employed by the government in the navy yard. The call to the commercial 
field, however, still rang in his ears, and in entering the employ of W. W. 
Chapman, the pioneer druggist of Vallejo, he laid the foundation for the 
wonderful success which was his in later years. After remaining two years 
in the employ of Mr. Chapman be bought out the stock and good will of his 
employer and continued the business of the Pioneer Drug store, as it has 
always been known, up to the time of his death, January 20, 1905. In July, 
1904, the business was incorporated by the family, the two sons, James Henry 
and William H., giving all their attention to the business, the former being 
manager. 

A number of city and county offices benefited by Mr. Topley's cool' judg- 
ment and splendid executive ability, among them county coroner, which he 
filled efficiently for a term and a half, but which he was compelled to relinquish 
owing to the pressure of his private business, besides which he served as. 
school trustee for six years. He found congenial companionship among the 
members of the various lodges with which he was connected, namely, Naval 
Lodge No. 87. F. & A. M.. Naval Chapter No. 35, R. A. M.. and Golden State 
Lodge, I. O. O. F., and in his death the Masonic lodge of which he was a 
member mourned the loss of the oldest Mason in the city. Besides the affilia- 
tions mentioned he was a member of the Society of Veterans of the Mexican 
War, and was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church of Vallejo, being 
one of the founders of the organization and treasurer for over thirty years, and 
assisted in the work of the Sunday school in the capacity of librarian and 
treasurer. Ever a student, he kept thoroughly posted on the activities and 
achievements in this and other countries and was an intelligent and interest- 
ing conversationalist upon any subject that might be brought up for con- 
sideration. In the line of his profession he was especially well informed and 
was one of the founders and an officer in the State Pharmaceutical Associa- 
tion. Politically he was a stanch Republican. 

Mr. Topley was especially fortunate in his marriage, his wife being a 
woman of brilliant mind and one in every wa)' fitted to be his companion. 
She still occupies the old family residence in Vallejo, at No. 622 Georgia street, 
around which is centered the memory of many happy associations. Before her 
marriage in 1861 Mrs. Topley was Miss Anna Igell, a native of Hanover, Ger- 
many, and the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Igell, who in an early day im- 
migrated to this country and became identified with Milwaukee, Wis., where 
Mr. Igell was a linen merchant. Mrs. Topley has been a resident of Cali- 
fornia since 1860, when she landed in San Francisco from the steamer Golden 
Age. Five children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Topley: Alice 
and Norman, deceased; James Henry, William H. and Anneta, the latter Mrs. 
James Megarry, of Vallejo. Both of the sons graduated from the pharma- 
ceutical department of the University of California with the degree of Ph.G., 
and by temperament and education are well fitted to continue the work which 
their father laid down at his death. The elder of the sons, James Henry, 
was a member of the board of education of Vallejo for many years and was 
also a member of the board of library trustees one term and a member of the 
board of health for six years, and during this time served as secretary or 
registrar. Both brothers are interested and active citizens of the city which 
has been their life-time home. The loss which Mrs. Topley sustained in the 
death of her husband has been made up to her in a measure in the comfort 






w? 



?ufc#?n^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 581 

which she tin<l> in her children and her many friends. She is a member ol the 
Presbyterian Church, which she assisted her husband in founding, and is also 
a member oi the Society of the Wives and Daughters of Veterans of the 
Mexican War. the headquarters of the organization being in San Francisco. 



JOHN OSTINELU HANSO >M. 

One of the well known and most public-spirited citizens of the city of 
Vallejo is the gentleman whost name heads this article. He was bom in the 
town ni Eliot, York county, Me., April 1. 1837. I lis parents were Isaiah and 
Sarali (Cutt) Hanscom, i^i old New England stock, their ancestors having 
settled in the province of Massachusetts — now state of Maine — in 1660 and 
1630, respectively. In 1845 the family moved to the adjoining town of Lit- 
tery, where John (.). attended the public schools at an early age and when 
eight years t>i age his parents sent him to private schools until he was thir- 
teen and a half years old when at his earnest solicitation he was apprenticed 
to learn the printing- business. He served three years on the New Hampshire 
Gazette, the oldest paper printed continuously in the United States, it having 
been established on October 7. 1756. His term being finished he returned to 
an academy to be fitted for Harvard. The sudden death of the principal in 
the academy, during school hours, was the cause of his not continuing his 
course of study. 

On July 5. 1S54. the family left the city of New York lor California, 
arriving at Vallejo on the 29th of the same month. His father was super- 
intendent of the sectional dry docks and the building of a new basin and 
railway for the United States government, and under him John O. took em- 
ployment as a laborer. Later on he was made assistant bookkeeper of the 
works and finally, on the death of the head bookkeeper, took charge and 
finished up the clerical portion of the work when, under contract, the works 
were turned over to the government. In 1857 he went to San Francisco and 
engaged in the machinery and foundry business, entering the firm of Goddard 
ec Company. In 1864 he sold out his interest in the foundry business and 
went east on account of the severe illness of his mother. While there he was 
appointed chief clerk in the naval constructor's office at the navy yard at 
Norfolk. Ya. On his mother's death, which occurred in 1865, he went north 
for a short visit and returned to California in March. 1866. Immediately on 
his return he again started in the machinery and foundry business and was 
the senior partner of the firm of Hanscom & Co., owners of the Aetna Iron 
Works. In 1872 he turned his interest in the iron works over to his brother 
and purchased the ship chandlery business of J. D. Farwell & Co., and for the 
following three years was quite successful. 

Meeting with financial reverses, later on he became engaged in different 
enterprises among which was the bridge and wharf business, also running 
a state mine at Chile Bar, Eldorado county, working as an expert in machin- 
ery losses for the different insurance companies in San Francisco, to which 
was added the soliciting of life insurance policies. 

Following a sickness of several months' duration, while living in Berkeley, 
he took a position as a newspaper reporter and shortly afterward became city 
editor of the Herald, published in Berkeley. Later, in company with William 
Nash, the Berkeley Gazette was established, and he finally became editor of 
the paper, remaining in that position until failing health forced him to give it 
up. In this connection it might be stated that at one time he became editor 
and proprietor of the Golden Era. which was sold t<i Mr. Bassett. In 1899 
Mr. Hanscom removed to Vallejo and soon became engaged in the real estate 

ne--i with Samuel Hirsh. and later engaged in the real estate and insurance 

ness on his own account. In 1007 he was appointed a notary public and 



582 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

in 1911 continues at the head of the partnership of Hanscom & Wilson, which 
was formed that year. 

On July 29, 1859. occurred the marriage of John O. Hanscom with Miss 
Martha A. Jenkins, who was born in the town of Kittery, York county. Me. 
Two children were born to them. The daughter, Carrie S., who married 
Howard P. Landon, is the mother of two sons, Philip Hanscom and Eliot 
Frost. The son, George E. Hanscom. is electrical constructor in the United 
States Navy; he has one son, Elmer H. Hanscom. The marriage ceremonies 
of Mr. Hanscom, his daughter and son, were performed by Rev. S. H. Willey, 
who also christened the children, and is now living in Berkeley, over ninety 
years of age and one of the pioneer ministers of the state. 



GUILFORD PRYOR. 

A short distance below the twin cities of Minnesota that jointly form 
the celebrated metropolis of that northern state lies the river county of 
Dakota, to which Alexander Pryor migrated in a very early day and estab- 
lished a frontier farm in the midst of a wilderness populated by the Indians. 
The story of his life is a record of great privation, unceasing toil and innum- 
erable hardships. Eventually he acquired the title to three hundred acres, 
forming one of the finest tracts in the entire county. Upon his decease in 
1880 he was mourned as an honored pioneer and industrious farmer, one of 
those sterling men who bore a part in the agricultural upbuilding of 
Minnesota. 

On the old homestead in Dakota county Guilford Pryor was born No- 
vember 1. 1860, and there he learned the lessons of sturdy toil and manly 
self-reliance so indispensable to true success. At the age of nine years he 
began to follow the plow and as he grew older he assumed more and more 
the burden of toil, so that at the death of his father he was able to continue 
the management of the estate alone. At the expiration of four years he dis- 
posed of his interests there and came to California, settling in 1884 at Chico, 
Butte county, where he became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade with 
the large contracting firm of Walker & Merwin, a concern known throughout 
all of that region. They both carried out building contracts and manufac- 
tured brick needed for that purpose. 

After having been employed by that firm for five years Mr. Pryor in 
1889 removed to Oakland and began to follow his trade in and near that city, 
where he remained for seven years. Next he secured employment in a 
planing mill at Haywards, whence after three years he came to Vallejo in 
1899. For a time he was employed in the planing mill owned by C. E. Doty 
at North Vallejo and meanwhile he and the proprietor of the mill organized 
the Pryor & Doty Realty Company, which erected houses in Napa, Vallejo 
and San Francisco. For a time they were prosperous, but the great fire of 
1906 wiped out much of their holdings. Shortly before that catastrophe they 
had started to build a number of flats in San Francisco, the lumber being on 
the ground, and during that time the lumber was taken away and used for 
building shacks for refugees ; the result was almost a total loss to them. Re- 
turning to Vallejo, Mr. Pryor began to take contracts for the erection of 
houses and public buildings. It is stated that he has built more than one 
hundred buildings in Vallejo, all of them substantial and durable, affording 
an illustration of the type of construction that has contributed to the develop- 
ment of the west. Among his contracts may be mentioned those for the 
residences of Dr. Lane, Joseph Frater, William Smith, Frank Stewart, Mrs. 
Quimby, Messrs. Warford, Tribell and Jones, the four houses owned by 
Frank Copper, three owned by Mr. Dempsey and two built for Charles 
Winchell, also the Corbett flats, Mrs. McKeag's apartments, the Bedford 



HISTORY OF SOLANO A.ND NAPA COUNTIKS 583 

Furniture Company's Mock, the Steffan buildings, and the addition to the 
parsonage of the Presbyterian Church of Vallci ■ 

Dunng 1°10 Mr. Pryor was elected a member of the board of public 
works and he also officiates as secretarj of the Builders' Exchange of Vallejo, 
of which he was one ni the organizers. Giving his attention closely to the 
details of contracting and building, he has had little leisure to participate in 
political affairs and indeed has taken little part aside from casting a Republi- 
can vote at general elections. Fraternally he for years has held membership 
with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, [lis marriage in Calaveras 
county, June 5, 1890, united him with Miss Mary Westmoreland, a native of 
Longsutton, Lancashire. England, and the daughter of Frederick and Mary 
i Rosling) Westmoreland, pioneers of the west. Her father came to California 
via Cape Horn in 1S4 ( ». bringing a wire suspension bridge which was hauled 
to the mines, swung over the Mokelumne river and used as a toll bridge. He 
also followed mining and his death occurred in Calaveras county, while his 
wife died in San Francisco. Mrs. Pryor was reared and educated in Cali- 
fornia. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pryor, Zelma Inez. Guil- 
ford Newel and Ruth Reta. 



NICHOLAS FERREA. 

Born in Italy in 1826 and educated in the schools of that peninsula, Mr. 
Ferrea served his native land as a soldier and received severe wounds during 
the battle of Magenta in 1848. At the age of twenty-two. having received 
an honorable discharge from the army, he came to the United States and to 
the Pacific coast. For a time he engaged in mining, but later turned his at- 
tention to the cattle business in San Luis Obispo county, from which point 
he removed north to Solano county during the year 1851. The Italian garden 
was his first purchase. From time to time he added to his possessions until 
he hid accumulated a vast amount of land. At one time he owned six ranches 
on the Xapa road besides a large ranch near Benicia, his total possessions 
aggregating thousands of acres and representing a large moneyed value. At 
Lake Chabot, where the Three-Mile station house stood, he was the first set- 
tler and as other people came to try their fortunes in the locality he assisted 
them. The first vegetable wagon in the valley was owned and operated by 
him and brought him some of his early earnings of no inconsiderable amount. 

During 1873 Nicholas Ferrea married, in Lomelina. Italy. Miss Claudia 
Bisio. who was born in that place in 1855 and came to the United States im- 
mediately after their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrea became the parents of 
four children, but only one is now living, a daughter, Cornelia Louisa, who 
resides with her mother at the family residence. No. 737 Florida street. 
Vallejo. After he became a naturalized citizen of the United States and had 
studied political conditions Mr. Ferrea espoused the cause of the Republican 
party, which ever afterward he supported by ballot and influence. His death 
occurred on Christmas day of 1907 and removed from Vallejo one of its suc- 
cessful citizens and honored men. 



JOHN EL WOOD SACKETT. 

The well-known president of the Citizens Bank of Winters is John El- 
wood Sackett, a native of Ohio, born in Mount Vernon, Knox county, in 
1853. He is the son of Rev. John B. and Amanda (Bardeen) Sackett, both 
of whom were born in New York. The father was a Baptist clergyman and 
for many years was secretary of the Ohio Baptist state convention. His min- 
istry extended principally throughout Ohio, where he became well known as 
an evangelist. His demise occurred suddenly as he was entering a church at 



584 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Clyde, Ohio, to conduct the evening service, December 24, 1871. His wife 
died in Madison, Ohio, ten years later. Of their six children three are living, 
and of these John E. is the youngest. He attended the schools of his birth- 
place and later took one year's work in Granville University, thus laying the 
foundation for a successful life. When nineteen years of age he left Ohio 
in company with his brother and came to California, going first to Yolo 
county, and soon afterward to San Francisco. J. E. Sackett had had some 
experience in his brother's store prior to their coming to California and with 
this start he went to work in a well-known commission house, remaining 
for eleven years. After resigning his position he came to Solano county and 
began ranching with his brother. At the present time Mr. Sackett owns four 
hundred acres of land about five miles west of Winters in Solano and Yolo 
counties, of which one hundred acres are in all kinds of fruit trees. Mr. 
Sackett is an indefatigable worker, for in addition to the time and attention 
required by his banking business, he superintends all the packing of his fruits 
as well as the ranch itself. 

In 1879 Mr. Sackett was married to Miss Ella May Loud. To this union 
there were born seven children, six daughters and one son, the last, John 
El wood, Jr. Helen A., after graduating from high school, spent two years in 
the University of California at Berkeley; Mabel Y., educated in Winters and a 
graduate of Stockton Business College, is engaged in teaching; Bardeen A. 
is a graduate of the high school; Grace M. is training for a nurse; Eulalia is 
attending high school ; Marna G. is the youngest of the family. In 1906 Mr. 
Sackett underwent a severe trial in the loss of his wife. She was a noble 
woman, a zealous mother and a loving wife, whose memory is revered by 
those who continue on without her tender, guiding hand. Mr. Sackett was 
made a Mason in Buckeye Lodge No. 195, F. & A. M., and is past master and 
the present secretary of his lodge, and he is also a member of the Eastern 
Star. Politically he is a Republican. He is actively identified with the in- 
terests of the Winters Dried Fruit Company, being secretary since its organ- 
ization. By his sterling qualities of mind and heart he has endeared himself 
to all and stamped upon the community in which he lives the impress of a 
virulent life of notable achievement. 






PERCY S. KING. 

A successful business and professional man of Napa, Percy S. King has 
been prominent along political lines and has always worked for the advance- 
ment of the community both as a private citizen and as the holder of a 
public office. He was born in Iowa in 1866, the son of Rev. E. H. King, a 
Methodist minister, who came with his family to California in 1874. Being 
ambitious for the future and eager to avail himself of the good educational 
facilities to be obtained in Napa, Percy S. King came here in 1881 and at- 
tended Napa College. After completing his studies he took up the profession 
of teaching as a further means to the desired goal of his ambition and taught 
school for some time in Napa county, later going to Carson, Nev., where he 
taught school and practiced law. Returning to Napa he took up the practice 
of law and has since devoted his entire time and attention to his profession. 

The high regard in which his clientele and the community at large held 
Mr. King was evidenced when he was elected a member of the state legisla- 
ture and served from 1903 to 1905, and also a special term in 1906. He has 
not discontinued his political work, as he is a member of the Republican 
state central committee, to which party he gives his loyal and enthusiastic 
support. In his fraternal relationships he is past master of the Masonic lodge 
of Napa, grand foreman of the Workmen and a member of the Modern Wood- 
men. For the past four years he has served as captain of Company H, Second 




<s?\ 




W, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO USTD NAPA COUNTIES 5X7 

[nfantry, X. G. C. He is also a director of the Bank <>f Napa and is secretary 
of the Evans Shoe Company. 

In 1S"1 Mr. King was married to Miss Lizzie EClamm, a native of Cali- 
fornia, and to this union have boon horn five children: Carol, Percy E., 
Catherine C, Lyman and Elizabeth. 



FRANK B. McKEVITT. 

Among the successful business men ^\ Solano county. Frank B. McKevitt 

holds an honored place, having won his present commercial status by his 
executive ability and fitness for his work. He was horn March 3. 1859, in 
Truxton, X. Y.. where he spent the first eight years of his life, in 1867 moving 
with his parents, Alexander and Sarah \. McKevitt, to Clinton, Iowa, where 
he received his education. Shortly after his graduation from the Clinton high 
School, the family came to Vacaville, Cal.. where they engaged in fruit grow- 
ing. Mr. McKevitt, Jr., became deeply interested in the industry and with 
others formed The Vacaville Branch Fruit Union (fruit packers), of which 
he was chosen secretary. Later he organized The Vacaville and Winters 
Fruit Company and was elected secretary of this concern also, serving until 
1892; in 18 l ^4. in partnership with E. F. Pinkham, he succeeded to the business 
of said company, incorporating a new organization under the name of Pink- 
ham & McKevitt. He was at once chosen vice-president, which office he holds 
at the present time. In January, 1909. he was selected to fill the position of 
secretary and manager of the California Fruit Distributors at Sacramento, an 
organization composed of fourteen fruit shippers whose annual output is over 
nine thousand cars. Mr. McKevitt is a director and vice-president of the San 
Monte Fruit Company, apple shippers, of Watsonville, Cal., and is largely 
interested in fruit growing and shipping in Tulare county, being the president 
oi the Giant Oak Fruit Company near Exeter. This company is the owner of 
five hundred and sixty acres of land, of which the greater part is in fruits, 
both deciduous and citrus. For several years Mr. McKevitt has been a director 
in the Bank of Vacaville. 

Mr. McKevitt is a member of the Sutter Club of Sacramento, and the 
Union League Club of San Francisco. In fraternal circles he is known as a 
Woodman and a Mason; he is past master of Vacaville Lodge, F. & A. M., 
past commander of Vacaville Commandery. and a Shriner of Islam Temple, 
San Franci- 

July 18. 1883. Mr. McKevitt's marriage took place in San Francisco to 
Miss Laura A. Walker. They have four children : Thama A., now Mrs. W. G. 
Wood of Sacramento: Frank B., Jr.. who is manager of the Pinkham & Mc- 
Kevitt corporation at Vacaville; Hazel, who is with her parents; and Harold, 
who is a student at Belmont. Mr. and Mrs. McKevitt and their charming 
family have ever enjoyed the highest regard of their many friends. 



CHARLES EDWARD TROWER. 

A prominent attorney of Xapa. Charles E. Trower is a man who has 
made Ins own way in the world and who has attained the measure of success 
which he now enjoys by persevering effort. He was born in New York City 
June 2n. 1872. the son of Ebenezcr Trower. and at the age of three years 
came with his parents to California and settled in Oakland, where the family 
made their permanent home. Charles E. Trower attended the grammar 
schools of Oakland until he was fourteen years of age, when he left home. 
Starting out to make his way in the world alone. 

Mr. Trower went first to Ventura county, where he worked on a ranch 




J7\ 




\J. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTI] 587 

Infantry, N. G. C. He is also a director of the Hank of Napa and is secretary 
<<i the E\ ans Shoe Companj 

In 1891 Mr. K i 1 1 l; was married to Miss Lizzie Klamm, a native ol ( ali 
fornia, and to this union have been born five children: Carol. Percy E., 
Catherine C, Lyman and Elizabeth. 



FRANK B. McK] \ I IT. 

Among the successful business men ^i Solano county. Frank B. McKevitt 
holils an honored place having won his present commercial status by his 
executive ability and fitness for his work. He was born March 3, 1859, in 
Truxton, N. Y.. where he spout the first eight years of his life, in 1867 moving 

with hi< parents. Alexander and Sarah \. McKevitt, to Clinton. Iowa, where 
he received his education. Shortly after hi> graduation from the Clinton high 
school, the family came to Yacaville. Cal.. where they engaged in fruit grow- 
ing. Mr. McKevitt, Jr., became deeply interested in the industry and with 
others formed The Yacaville Branch Fruit Union (fruit packers), of which 
he was chosen secretary. Later he organized The Yacaville and Winters 
Fruit Company and was elected secretary of this concern also, serving until 
1X"2; in 18 l) 4. in partnership with E. F. Pinkham, he succeeded to the business 
of ^aid company, incorporating a new organization under the name of Pink- 
ham & McKevitt. He wa> at once chosen vice-president, which office he holds 
at the present time. In January. 1909. he was selected to fill the position of 
secretary and manager of the California Fruit Distributors at Sacramento, an 
organization composed of fourteen fruit shippers whose annual output is over 
nine thousand cars. Mr. McKevitt is a director and vice-president of the San 
Monte Fruit Company, apple shippers, of \Yatsonville. Cal., and is largely 
interested in fruit growing and shipping in Tulare county, being the president 
of the Giant Oak Fruit Company near Exeter. This company is the owner of 
five hundred and sixty acres of land, of which the greater part is in fruits. 
both deciduous and citrus. For several years Mr. McKevitt has been a director 
in the Bank of Vacaville. 

Mr. McKevitt is a member of the Sutter Club of Sacramento, and the 
Union League Club of San Francisco. In fraternal circles he is known as a 
Woodman and a Mason : he is past master of Vacaville Lodge, F. & A. M., 
past commander of Vacaville Commandcry, and a Shriner of Islam Temple, 
San Francisco. 

July 18. 1883. Mr. McKevitt's marriage took place in San Francisco to 
Mi<> Laura A. Walker. They have four children : Thama A., now Mrs. W. G. 
Wood of Sacramento: Frank B.. Jr.. who is manager of the Pinkham & Mc- 
Kevitt corporation at Vacaville; Hazel, who is with her parents; and Harold. 
who is a student at Belmont. Mr. and Mrs. McKevitt and their charming 
family have ever enjoyed the highest regard of their many friends. 



CHARLES EDWARD TROWER. 

A prominent attorney of Napa, Charles E. Trower is a man who has 
made his own way in the world and who has attained the measure of success 
which he now enjoys by persevering effort. He was born in New York City 
June 2<>. 1872, the son of Ebenezer Trower, and at the age of three years 
came with his parents to California and settled in Oakland, where the family 
made their permanent home. Charlo E. Trower attended the grammar 
schools of Oakland until he was fourteen year^ of age, when he left home. 
starting out to make his way in the world alone. 

Mr. Trower went first to Ventura county, where he worked on a ranch 



588 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

for four years and gained his first experience in following agricultural pur- 
suits. He then returned to Oakland and was employed for one year with 
F. J. Edwards in the fish business, but returned to Ventura county and to 
ranch work the following year. He then came to Napa, January 11, 1893, 
becoming a pupil in Napa College, and later he entered Oak Mound school, 
from which he graduated in 1896. He then began the study of law in San 
Francisco, in the office of Donzel Stoney, and on April 25, 1898, he was ad- 
mitted to the bar of California under the supreme court examination. Choos- 
ing Napa city as his place of practice, he located here in August, 1899, and 
has since built up a large clientele and is highly respected as one of the best 
lawyers of this section. On one side or the other he has been connected 
with nearly every important case in the county during the last decade. He 
has been a director of the First National Bank of Napa since its organiza- 
tion in June, 1904. Always public spirited and patriotic, he early identified 
himself with the civic life of the community and is president of the board of 
school trustees of Napa and also a member of the library board. 

Fraternallv Mr. Trower is a member of the Elks, is past master of Yount 
Lodge No. 12,' F. & A. M., a member of Napa Chapter No. 30, R. A. M., and 
Lodge of Perfection, Rose Croix Council of Kadosh and Consistory, thirty- 
second degree, California Bodies. He is inspector of the Twenty-first Ma- 
sonic district of California. 

In 1901 Mr. Trower was united in marriage with Miss May H. Cobble- 
dick, a native of Oakland, Cal., and they together enjoy the respect and good 
wishes of a host of friends and acquaintances of Napa and vicinity. 



CAPT. ORRINGTON L. HENDERSON. 

Associated with many avenues of development inaugurated and carried 
through to successful completion in Solano county is the fine and noble life of 
the late Capt. Orrington L. Henderson, who was born in Bangor, Me., May 27, 
1838, and who died in Vallejo, Cal., July 18, 1903. Up to the age of twenty 
years his life was associated with the rock-bound coast of his native state, 
which he left at that time to try his luck in the mines of California. He did 
not remain in the mines long, however, and later was variously employed in 
San Francisco for two years. 

The year 1860 marks the date of Captain Henderson's advent in Vallejo, 
when the war cloud was hovering over the nation, and when disruption came 
he joined the ranks and did his part in the defense of the Union. With the 
restoration of peace he settled down to the quiet pursuit of his calling of 
carriage builder, and the shop which he maintained on Marin street for many 
years attracted much of the best trade of the town and surrounding country. 
In time the original quarters were outgrown on account of increased busi- 
ness, and the removal of the shop to Capitol street was timely and advan- 
tageous, business being carried on at this location until ill health forced Cap- 
tain Henderson to retire. To an extent not enjoyed by many men Captain 
Henderson had the faculty of making money rapidly, but money getting was 
far from being his main object in life, as his many activities in outside matters 
plainly indicate. He was a prominent member of the fire department, believ- 
ing that such public duty was due from every citizen, and as chief of the de- 
partment for many terms he rendered faithful service to his fellow citizens. 
From early manhood he had been interested in military affairs, and his elec- 
tion to the captaincy of the Frisbie Guard, a crack military company, was an 
honor of which he was justly proud. 

Probably nowhere was Captain Henderson more genuinely welcomed than 
in fraternal circles, and his work in behalf of the various organizations with 



HISTORY OF SOLANO KHD NAPA COUNTIES 589 

which hi- name was connected is a pan of the history of each. In Masonic 
circles he was a member of Naval Lodge No. 87, !■'. & A. M.; past eminent 
commander of Naval Commandery, K. T. : and pasl grand commander of the 
Grand Commandery of California. Knights Templar. In the Odd Fellows he 
was the prime mover in the organization of the first Canton of the Patriarchs 
Militant, and as its captain drilled one team which won a trophy in competi- 
tion with teams from all parts of the state. Upon the reorganization of tin 
Canton he was again honored with the office of drill master and gave the new 
members the elements of their military training. He was also a member of 
the Red Men and the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1890 his fellow citizens 
elected him to the office of sheriff of Solano county, and if any expression of 
their satisfaction was necessary, it was shown beyond a doubl two years later 
when he was re-elected to the same office. In 1805 he retired from public 
office ami from that time until his death confined his attention to his private 

business. 

The first marriage of Captain Henderson occurred in San Francisco, and 
united him with Nettie Dunlap. and the three children born of this union are 
all living: Ethel, Mrs. Clark, of San Francisco; Mary. Mrs. Pedlcr. of Oak- 
land: and Edwin H.. of Vallejo. His second marriage was celebrated in 1896 
and united him with Eliza McWilliams. a native of Portland. Ore. The 
widow cherishes two mementoes which bear silent testimony to the high re- 
gard in which Captain Henderson was held by those with whom he was 
associated in vcars gone by, a silver trumpet presented to him by the fire 
company and a beautiful sword given to him by his military company. So 
versatile were his accomplishments that it would be difficult to suggest a 
place that he could not fill creditably, and with all his accomplishments he 
was still the simple-hearted, approachable man. which is the mark of the true 
gentleman. 



THOMAS VICE. 

That man is happy and successful whose vocation in life is suited to his 
talents and temperament. Such a man is Thomas Vice, a retired citizen of 
Vallejo. whose continuous application to work he loved has made his more 
than three score years and ten slip happily and swiftly by. He stands in the 
center of three generations of boat-builders, hjs father before him following 
this calling, and now his son and namesake is following in his footsteps and 
emulating him as a master boat-builder. 

Thomas Vice was bom in Philadelphia, Pa.. Xoyember 29. 1839. While 
he was still a boy his father. Martin Vice, a master boat-builder, came to 
California in 1850 and in San Francisco established a boat-building plant. 
and it was there that Thomas Vice went to work in 1864, reaching California 
bv wav of Panama. The next year, owing to general business depression, he 
found Work slack at his father's plant and went to work for a while in the 
Mare Island navy yard, in the boat-building department. Gradually he became 
more and more proficient in the trade he had learned in his native city and 
on July 2. 1889. took up permanent service for the United States government 
as master mechanic or master boat-builder, having full charge of the boat- 
building department at the government navy yard at Mare Island for twenty- 

vear-. Mr. Vice is justly proud of the high-class work which was turned 
out of his department, which was devoted to the building of the smaller 
boats used aboard warships, such as cutter-, whale-boats, sailboats, launches 
and punts. In retiring from the position which lie had held so long, from 
July 2. 1889. to fuly 5. 1010. Mr. Vice takes pleasure in tecalling the fact thai 
his skill as a thorough mechanic was never questioned and that every boat 
turned out from his hand- took rank with the besl his government owned. 



590 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Mr. Vice enjoys the most pleasant domestic relations. He was married 
in 1872 to Miss Mary Y. McAvoy, a native of New York. Four children have 
been born to them, of whom Laura W., the eldest, is the wife of Frank Titus ; 
they have a daughter, Alice, who is now in her fifteenth year. William L. 
is the second child in order of birth. Alice is the wife of Percy Heise, and the 
mother of a young daughter. The youngest of the four children is Thomas, 
Jr., who not only bears his father's name, but has followed in the footsteps of 
his father in the choice of a vocation. He is employed at the Mare Island 
navy yard, is married and has one son, Leslie Thomas. Thomas Vice worked 
long and diligently to perfect himself in his life work, giving himself little 
time for recreation so called, and the only fraternal order to which he belongs 
is the Odd Fellows, holding membership in Templar Lodge No. 17, I. O. O. F., 
at San Francisco. 



THOMAS A. SPARKS. 

Mention of the name of Sparks calls to mind that worthy pioneer, Martin 
Van Buren Sparks, who came to California in the days of its early history 
making and did a noble part as citizen and rancher in raising the standard of 
civilization and in developing the land for agricultural purposes. An account 
of his useful and purposeful life appears upon another page of this volume. 

Eight children, five sons and three daughters, were born to Martin V. B. 
and Sarah (Judy) Sparks, but of these only five are now living, Thomas A. 
being the youngest son. He has made his life-time home in his native state 
and was early in life made familiar with the duties of the ranch. He is now 
the owner of some valuable property in Solano county, near Winters, consist- 
ing of six hundred and sixty-six acres, and to carry on the work on this large 
property about thirty head of horses are required. In addition to the land 
which is under cultivation Mr. Sparks has a sheep ranch of twenty-three 
hundred acres, where range is given to about fifteen hundred head of sheep of 
the Merino breed. 

The marriage of Thomas A. Sparks united him with Anna Delebliss, a 
native of California, and they have three children. Mr. Sparks is a member 
of Vallejo Lodge, B. P. O. E., and politically he is a Democrat. A man of 
keen judgment and the possessor of much ability, he is succeeding in his 
chosen line of endeavor, and it is the wish of all who know him that he may 
enjoy continued prosperity. • 



IVEN PORTER FITZPATRICK. 

Among the successful agriculturists of Solano county, the name of Iven 
P. Fitzpatrick deserves mention, for he has successfully operated his land for 
a number of years and has contributed his quota to the general advancement 
of the county. He was born in Solano county November 10, 1872, and has 
resided here ever since. After receiving a common school education he at- 
tended business college for a while, afterwards graduating from the Dixon 
high school. He then engaged in farming, and in 1899 he bought one hundred 
sixty acres, five and a half miles southwest of Dixon, for which he paid $6,000. 
With Andrew Peter he rents five hundred and sixty acres of land devoted 
exclusively to grain. They harvest their crop with the latest improved com- 
bined harvesters. 

Mr. Fitzpatrick married, in the year 1894, Miss Lavisa Davis, a native of 
Davis county, Iowa. He is a member of the Encampment, I. O. O. F., Wood- 
men of the World and Rebekahs. Politically he is a Democrat, being a stanch 
believer in the rule of the people for the people's good. Quiet and unostenta- 
tious, yet pleasant and cheery, he has done much to promote the well being 
of all in his community. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTIES 593 

EDMUND GWYNNE W ATKINS. 

\ native of England, Edmund G. Watkins was born in Monmouthshire, 
Ma\ 24, 1841. He received a good education in his native land and also 
acquired valuable experience on the home farm under his father, Cradock 
Watkins. who was a fanner and landowner. Edmund ('.. Watkins carried out 
a long cherished plan in 1867, when he embarked on a vessel bound lor the 
N'eu World. After a year passed in Nova Scotia he came to California by 
way of Panama in 1868. ('.0111- to San Joaquin county, he there purchased 
a farm on the Calaveras river, which he later sold and in 1882 came to Solano 
conntv and at once established himself by purchasing three hundred and 
twenty acres of land two miles south of Davis, where he now resides, paying 
$31 per acre for it. It is located on Putah creek, and to keep the floods on t 
he has constructed a levee along" the creek. On the creek bottom he raised 
alfalfa without irrigation. He is now engaged in raising wheat and barley 
to a large extent, in addition to which he breeds and raises high-grade full- 
blooded' red polled cattle, raising them for beef. In 1905 Mr. Watkins met 
with a heavy loss in the destruction of all of his buildings by fire, seventeen 
in all. He 'has since rebuilt all of the buildings, including a large modern 
residence and three large barns. 

Mr. Watkins married Miss Hattie Hart, a native of New York state. 
and two sons, Sydney and Edward, were born of this marriage. The sons 
are assisting their father in the care of the ranch. After the death of his 
first wife, which occurred about twenty years ago. Mr. Watkins married 
Mrs. Olive Davis, a native of New York. Those who knew Mr. Watkins 
in youth predicted that he would make a success of whatever he undertook 
and the prediction has been more than borne out in his life work. Relig- 
iously he is a believer in the tenets of the Baptist faith, and politically he is 
an independent Republican. A man of broad ideas, he is ever ready to aid 
every project that tends to uplift humanity or better conditions. 



MARGARET TOBIN. 

In all the varied fields of usefulness that have to do with the betterment 
and uplift of humanity, there is none that ofifers the broad scope and far- 
reaching influence that attaches to the teacher's profession. Among those in 
Solan., conntv who have been potent influences in the educational advance- 
ment in that section of the state, mention should be made of Margaret Tobin. 
vice-principal of the Yallejo high school. A native daughter of the state and 
also of the city in which her activities are centered, she is worthily upholding 
and takes an active interest in all progressive and educational matters a- well 
a- the civic welfare. Her father. James Tobin. was the son of a gentleman 
in good circumstances and in high standing in Ireland. While a youth he 
came to the United State-, settling at Portland, Me., where he became a 
contractor. The gold excitement in California was the magnet that drew him 
to the west, the vessel on which he embarked making the voyage by way of 
Cape Horn and landing him in San Francisco in 1852. He soon joined his 
father-in-law. Captain John Hammond, who had come to California in 1849 
and had accumulated large mining interest- in Tuolumne county. Not having 
a taste for mining, however. Mr. Tobin came on to Vallejo during the same 
year that he landed at the metro]., .lis. Here he found employment as foreman 
of the Sectional Dock Company and subsequently was in the government 
employ at Mare Island navy yard. The unbuilding of the city received his 
steadfast aid, and pr< projects had in him an intelligent champion and 

generous supporter. The death of Mr. Tobin occurred in 1894, at the old 



2S 



594 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

family home at No. 210 Virginia street, a commodious residence which he 
erected in 1862. 

Mrs. Tobin, who was before her marriage Anne Hammond., was the 
daughter of Captain John Hammond, the son of an English naval officer of 
high rank. He settled in Portland, Me., and later became one of the Argo- 
nauts of California. His time in California was wholly occupied in the de- 
velopment of the mining interest. In 1854 he took passage on the Yankee 
Blade for his old home in Portland and was the last man to leave the vessel 
as she sank at Point Conception with the Avealth he had accumulated. 

Mrs. Tobin was born in Portland, Me., and made the trip to California to 
join her husband in 1855. Here she reared her family and resided until her 
death in 1899, her death as well as that of her worthy husband, causing gen- 
eral mourning among the many who had known and honored them in life. 
The first-born children of Mr. and Mrs. Tobin were natives of Portland, Me., 
and in that city cemetery two little graves remain to form a tie for the family 
to the old eastern home. Thirteen children were born at the present home in 
Vallejo, Cal., but only six of these are now living. A married daughter 
resides in New York, another lives in San Francisco, while two daughters 
and two sons remain in Vallejo. The sons, W. H. and Fred V., and a 
daughter, Miss Laura, are in the government employ at Mare Island, and 
Miss Margaret, a teacher of fine attainments and broad culture, is vice-prin- 
cipal of the Vallejo high school. For nineteen years she has been an active 
member of the Solano County Board of Education, to the work of which she 
has given much time, thought and effort, and has aided very materially in 
bringing the schools of the county to their present high standard. Living with 
her and sharing her affectionate oversight, is her niece, Miss Ina E. Wilkin- 
son, also a high school teacher. Miss Tobin is a member of the State Teach- 
ers' Association and the National Educational Association, as well as the 
Women's Improvement Club- of Vallejo. She is deeply interested in what- 
ever tends toward the improvement or the upbuilding of her native city and 
has always been found ready to give generously of her time and means to 
this end. 

The family residence at No. 210 Virginia street, Vallejo, erected in the 
year 1862, was at the time conceded to be one of the finest homes in this 
part of the country, and it still remains a monument to the good taste of Mr. 
and Mrs. Tobin, who designed the building. Long since they passed over the 
threshold for the last time, Mr. Tobin dying July 2, 1894, and his wife entered 
into grateful rest five years afterward. Around the place their memory still 
lingers in sacred silence, while in the hearts of their descendants they are 
enshrined with lasting affection and their self-sacrificing kindnesses never can 
be forgotten. 



CHARLES F. EATON. 

A native of Canada, Mr. Eaton was born one hundred miles south of 
Montreal, May 6, 1835. For twenty-five years he lived in his native country, 
and then came to California via the Isthmus of Panama, in 1860. After a 
short stay in San Francisco he went to Sacramento and from there to Grass 
valley, thence across the Sierra Nevadas to Virginia City, Nev., accomplishing 
the latter trip by means of pack horses. This hazardous trip was not without 
its dangers and Mr. Eaton tells of traveling over twenty feet of snow. Coming 
to the mining districts he and his companions in travel located at Comstock 
Lode, Virginia City, and here the former worked for three years, leaving that 
place to return and work in a mine on Scotch Flat, seven miles from Nevada 
City. There he met with misfortune as he lost all the money he had saved in 
the preceding three years and found it necessary to borrow $700. With others 



HISTORY OF SOI. .\\o \\h NAPA COUNTIES 595 

he located a mine in Grass valley and in its operation was able to recuperate 
his finances. 1 1 c later located another mine at Auburn, Placer county, which 
proved to be very rich, and after working it for a time, from one of the lasl 

shot he put in he knocked OUl $8,000 worth of ore and pounded out .S4.000 
gold from this ore with a hand mortar inside of three days. After taking 
OUl S20.000 he sold out at a good price. In 1870 he sold out his mining inter 
in Auburn and located in Napa City, purchasing a twenty acre ranch, 
which is now half a mile from the business section. I or a few years he fol- 
lowed carpentering and building, after which he retired. His place is beauti- 
fully located on one of the highest points in the city and it is the present in- 
tention of the owner to lay it out into city lots. 

In Lowell. Mass.. Mr. Eaton married Miss Laura Reed, a native of 
Massachusetts, and the four children born to them are named as follows: 
Byron F.. Burt C. Flora B. and Viola B.. the last mentioned deceased. 
Byron F. married Ada Chapman, and they and their one child. Marion, reside 
in Napa county; Burt C. is a traveling salesman of Wilbur, Wash.; Flora B., 
the widow of Thomas Thompson, is interested in a mercantile business in 
Xapa. Byron F. Eaton owns four hundred and forty acres of land, of which 
seventy-five are under cultivation. He has a small vineyard and an orchard, 
consisting of the following varieties of trees : Walnuts, figs, pears and 
peaches. He rents the Phelon place of eight hundred and fifty acres, of which 
sixty-five acres are in grain and the balance in pasture. 

C. F. Eaton keeps twenty-nine head of cattle, nineteen head of horses and 
mules, and thirty head of hogs. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally 
he is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is a member of 
the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Honest in his dealings with his fellows, 
true to his convictions, and a man of his word, it is not to be wondered at 
that Mr. Eaton has made many friends who admire him not only for the 
amount" of success that is his, but also because of the sterling qualities that 
he possesses. 



ALLEN TOWSON. 

Among the native sons of the state is Allen Towson, who was born De- 
cember 25. 1865. in Yaca valley. He was educated in the public schools of his 
district, and on his graduation he took up agriculture, working on a ranch 
with his father. His father came to California in 1850, going to the mines, 
and in 1851 took a trip to Oregon. He was born in Baltimore, Md., and died 
in his home in Vaca valley, in 1896, after having rounded out a useful life 
and accumulated property to the extent of one hundred and seventy acres. 
The mother of Mr. Towson is a native of Missouri and is still living. 

On January 1, 1890, Mr. Towson married Miss Nancy Ann Christopher, 
a native daughter, who was at the time of her marriage the owner of some 
property in Solano county. Two years later, at the age of twenty-four, Mr. 
Towson removed to his present location near Yacaville. and has nineteen 
and one-half acres, his wife owning thirty acres. About twenty acres of the 
total, forty-nine acres, are in orchard set to fruits of all kinds, and the balance 
of the land is used for agriculture. 

Although Mr. Towson has never held public office of any kind, he is a 
Republican at heart and works to the best of his time and ability to further 
the interests of his party. 

Mr. Towson holds membership in Vacaville Lodge No. 83, I. O. O. F., 
Ulatis Encampment No, 4.3. and Rebekah Lodge No. 80. of Vacaville. He 
has been a factor in the progress of the community and county, for he well 
remembers the time when the country was planted to grain, and before horti 
culture was followed as it is today. 



596 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

JOHN J. DAVIS. 

On April 18, 1865, John J. Davis was born in Sierra county, Cal., and 
since 1872 has resided in Solano county. This county was not very closely 
settled when he arrived and in fact he tells that jack rabbits were hunted all 
over the section where Elmira is now. On coming here he bought one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, paying $3,500 for it, and later bought forty acres more 
and on this acreage he followed ranching with fair success. For the past nine 
years he has leased land adjoining and is engaged in raising grain, and in 
breeding and raising horses and mules. More recently he has installed a 
pumping plant on the ranch and is now also raising alfalfa. 

In 1895 Mr. Davis was married to Miss Delia Killkennie, a native of 
Ireland, and to this union there were born three children, two of whom are 
living, Clarence and Maud. Stella is deceased. Clarence is attending high 
school in Vacaville. Mr. Davis is a member of the Catholic Church and 
fraternally is a member of the Woodmen of the World. He is a member of 
the board of school trustees and clerk of the school district, and in addition 
to this position he is road supervisor. A man who has been a resident of 
the county for many years he has been no small factor in its development. 
Mrs. Davis died in November. 1909, mourned bv her relatives and friends. 



JAMES N. WATSON. 

Special aptitude and ability along the line of activity in the scientific and 
business world commands success sooner or later, when associated with that 
other necessary quality, perseverance. A rich endowment of this essential 
qualification, as well as a thorough understanding of the title business in all 
of its intricacies, may be named as the stepping stones to the ultimate success 
of James N. Watson, who is secretary of the Solano County Abstract Com- 
pany, of which he is one of the founders. 

Mr. Watson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, May 23, 1874, and is the 
oldest son of James and Jessie (Nicholson) Watson, who came from Scotland 
to Los Angeles in 1878. Conditions and circumstances surrounding his boy- 
hood and youth made it possible for him to obtain a good education, and being 
of a determined and ambitious nature, he applied himself diligently to his 
studies and in the end he completed his schooling with credit to himself as 
well 'as to those who had directed his training. 

In 1897 after leaving school, Mr. Watson was attracted toward the law 
profession, and securing a position in one of the leading abstract offices in 
Los Angeles, he pursued his chosen calling until 1900, when he left Los An- 
geles and located for a short time in San Francisco, at which time he secured 
the patent right of H. J. Wicks card system for Solano county. It was his 
purpose to install a complete card system in Solano county, and sell the same 
when completed, but recognizing the want of a good abstract plant and the 
great future of such an enterprise, he formed the Solano County Abstract 
Company. The officers of the company as then formed consisted of the fol- 
lowing well-known business men : Bert Sheldon, president ; S. R. Barnett, 
vice-president; J. N. Watson, secretary and manager; Bank of Suisun. treas- 
urer ; T. T. C. Gregory, attorney. 

Under the management of these able officers business has been carried on 
very successfully for more than ten years. This company is now one of the 
leading abstract concerns in Northern California, possessing and operating 
a plant second to none in the United States. It is a member of the State 
and United States Association of title men. Besides making and preparing 
abstracts of title, this company also issues certificates of title (or opinions) 
which are accepted and relied upon by land dealers and money loaners 



HISTORY OF SOLANO A.ND NAPA COUNTIES 599 

throughout the state. The officers and members of the compan) at a recenl 
meeting decided to embark in the business of title insurance. 

Mr. Watson has been large!) responsible for the wonderful success ol 
the business with which his name has been associated for more than ten 
years, and as he is still a young man. it is safe to predict a still greater success 
for the future. By all who know him, Mr. Watson is respected, not only for 
the success he has made <.'i his life in Fairfield, hut also for the large hcarted- 
S which dictates a more than personal interest in the well-being of the 
locality in which he lives. 



CHAUNCEY B. SEELEY. 

\\ e requested Mr. Seelev to give us some points in his history that we 
might h\ their aid prepare a biographical sketch for our work, but when his 
memorandum was handed in it proved so unique in its contents we prefer to 
publish it just as it was written, without change of word or sentence. The 
sparkle of humor noticeable in all of this gentleman's writings is ever coming 
to the surface, like the phosphorescent trail following a ship in southern seas, 
and we feel confident the reader will enjoy this recital in its present form all 
the more if untouched by alien hands. 

"1 am of New England ancestry, born of rich but respectable parents 
I 1 may add that the unexpected closing of a Boston bank wrought a disastrous 
change in their financial affairs at the time). The 'Star of Empire' was mov- 
ing westward' and my ancestors followed after, eventually to find a 'local 
habitation' in the village of Kirtland, a few miles off Erie in the state of Ohio, 
where, February 11. 1835, I first saw the light. The 'Star' was still on its 
westward course and was still followed until there seemed final pause in 
southern Indiana, then comparatively a new state, taking its name from the 
numerous Indian tribes that once infested those primeval forests that bor- 
dered the banks of the Ohio, and where immense Indian mounds of pre-historic 
era are still to be seen. Here in the then 'far west' I vegetated, working on 
the farm when a boy and in after years teaching during the winter months 
and attending the academy in summer. Still westward moved the 'Star' and 
still its line of light was followed until 1 reached the Pacific coast, in 1864. 
Everything was new in those days, the inhabitants were mostly 'new-comers,' 
no ancestral homes were to be seen, and since most anybody could be elected 
to office at that time I ventured to take chances myself, and fortunately for 
me I won out. I have served in some official capacity during the many years 
that have followed — a favor for which I am truly grateful, trusting I may 
have made some return to the people. 

"In politics I consider principle paramount to party whenever the two 
shall come in conflict. I regard Abraham Lincoln the greatest, noblest and 
wisest American statesman in .our country's history, with William J. Bryan 
a close second. Albeit he is discredited by the ambitious and jealous leaders 
of both political parties. I am a friend of inventors and hail with delight every 
discovery in the interest of progress and the hetterment of social conditions. 

"1 am of Revolutionary stock, though my wife, formerly Mary White, 
and a native of Pennsylvania, claims superior lineage for the reason she had 
four grandfathers in the Revolutionary war, whereas I had hut one. I pro- 
tested at the announcement when made, hut had to yield on presentation of 
the proofs. Patriotic days those, when father and son fought side by side on 
the contested field. 

"My enemies are all dead save one or two and with them my relation-. 
are not otherwise than most agreeable, as we pass without recognition. Am 
optimistic, believe there is hope for the race, discouraging as appearances may 



600 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

seem. I never worry over the faults of others, or my own. Have excellent 
health to date, — am at all times sober and serene." 

We may add that during the many years of Mr. Seeley's residence in 
Napa he has served the interests of the people well and faithfully. Twenty- 
seven years as secretary and treasurer of the Napa State Hospital, state ap- 
pointment; eighteen years in the city council, during which time he had much 
to do with constructing the streets of the city, in fact, is called the "father 
of the macadam streets;" ten years as county clerk; and for many years was 
engaged in the banking business under the firm name of Seeley & Bickford. 
He is always the "genial gentleman" wherever found. 



WINFRED CORYDON SHELDON. 

The recently appointed postmaster of Fairfield, Winfred Corydon Shel- 
don, is a splendid example of the sterling worth of many of the native sons of 
California, and the ability possessed by many of these sons of pioneers who 
have had to fight their way up to the top through many hardships and 
dangers. Mr. Sheldon was born in Suisun valley, Solano county, September 
14, 1876, a son of William C. Sheldon, who was born in Ohio and who came 
to California in the early '50s, crossing the plains with ox-teams. At first he 
followed agriculture and horticulture, but later became a fruit buyer, follow- 
ing this for many years or until his death, June 26, 1906. In the public schools 
of Solano county Mr. Sheldon received his primary education and later at- 
tended the high school at Fairfield. When a young man he worked on a fruit 
farm with his father and then followed ranching until 1906, when he became 
freight and yard clerk for the Southern Pacific at Suisun and later he became 
baggage agent at that place. This position he held until April 26, 1911,- when 
he was appointed postmaster of Fairfield, under President William Howard 
Taft. 

Mr. Sheldon was married in 1902 to Annie Greenleaf, a native of Kansas, 
who came to California at the age of nine years. To this union there were 
born three children, two of whom are living, Beatrice and Ward, and Winifred 
having died in her first year. Mrs. Sheldon's father is dead, but her mother 
is still living in Fairfield. Mr. Sheldon is a member of the Modern Woodmen 
of America and Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M., his father being an old-time 
Mason before him. He is an ardent and enthusiastic Republican in politics. 



FREDERICK WILGER. 

During the period of his identification with the west it has been the 
happy fortune of Mr. Wilger to witness the development of the vast resources 
of California, the remarkable increase of population and the upbuilding of 
prosperous towns as well as thriving agricultural regions. In a locality far 
distant from the land of his birth and the scenes familiar to his boyhood years 
he has risen to a substantial degree of success and has made a distinctive place 
for himself in a community containing a large number of forceful, energetic 
citizens. A native of Hesse-Cassel, he inherits traits that are distinctly 
Teutonic and may lay claim to a thrift, perseverance and frugality descending 
to him from German forefathers. He was born October 10, 1826, and at 
the age of seven years came to the United States with his mother. Suc- 
cessively a resident of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Missouri, he had gained 
much by habits of close observation in the various localities of his sojourns 
and thus self-culture gave him a partial recompense for lack of educational 
advantages. 

Early in the year 1853 Frederick Wilger started across the plains with 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 601 

a body of emigrants bringing forty head of mules and horses. All ah mil; the 
way there was constanl danger from marauding hands of unfriendly Indians. 
On one occasion, while the emigrants were eating their breakfast at the camp, 
the savages captured seven head of horses and escaped without detection. 
When the loss was discovered an immediate pursuit was inaugurated and a 
hurried dri\e ^i twelve miles brought the men within a short distance of the 
robbers. Suddenly a mule brayed and the call was answered quickly from 
the other cam]). By making a dash through the tall wild wheat and grass a 
capture wa> effected and the horses were again in the hands of their rightful 
owners, not. however, without considerable peril, one man receiving a severe 
gunshot wound from a rirle carried by an Indian. 

At the expiration of five and one-half months and with no loss of any 
stock excepting fourteen head of cattle, the party arrived at Sacramento on 
Friday. August 19. 1853. The men were there dismissed and paid $20 each. 
As Mr. Wilger turned to walk down the street he met John Woods, an old 
comrade, with whom he enjoyed a pleasant reunion and conversation. Later 
he engaged to work in a threshing crew at S2.50 per day. For seven years 
he continued in the employ of one farmer and meantime carefully saved his 
earnings, investing them in three hundred and twenty acres bought at a pur- 
chase price of $900. With a partner as proprietor of the new ranch (he himself 
continuing to work by the month) a crop of four thousand sacks was threshed 
from one hundred and sixty acres of grain. The partner's interest was bought 
for $1,800 and thus he came into entire possession of a valuable property, 
which for years he personally superintended and cultivated. At this writing 
he owns seven hundred and thirty acres near Davis, which for many years he 
has rented to his son-in-law. W. R. Wiese. In addition to the ranch he owns 
the Odd Fellows building, the blacksmith's shop, eight houses, twelve vacant 
lots and the elegant residence that he now occupies, all in Davis. 

The first marriage of Frederick Wilger was solemnized in 1861 and 
united him with Augusta Gloeckler. a native of Germany, who died leaving 
three children, Ella M., Alice M.. and Augusta P. Afterward he was married 
in Sacramento October 27. 1873, to Miss Eliza Boy, a native of Hamburg, 
Germany, and immediately following their union they settled on the ranch 
about three miles from Davis. It was the pleasure of Mr. and Mrs. Wilger to 
visit the east at the time of the World's Fair. He has kept posted concerning 
national development, but he is first and emphatically a Californian, loyal to 
the state of his adoption and believing it to be unsurpassed by any common- 
wealth. With advancing years and the accumulation of a competency he has 
retired from business and agricultural cares and is spending his time quietly 
and happily in his cozy home, taking no part in politics nor in fraternities 
with the exception of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The raising 
of fruit for the family use is a source of interest to him and he takes great 
pride in securing good crops of choice varieties. In addition he notes with 
interest the welfare of the horses, cattle, sheep and hogs on the ranch, as well 
a-- the cultivation of the land. 



HERMAX H. EIRCHOW. 

For ten years Herman H. Firchow lived in his native land. Germany, 
where he w-as born June 17. 1863. At the age of ten he came to the United 
States with his parents, the family settling in Kenosha county, Wis., where 
the father engaged in farming successfully until death removed him from 
these activities in 1889. 

In 1905 Herman Firchow came to California and settled in Tehama county, 
where he purchased forty acres of land at $100 per acre. There for two 
years he engaged in the time honored occupation of farming. Having sold 



602 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



out his interests in the north in 1909 he came to Solano county and purchased 
forty acres that cost him $7,000. The property that he owns at present is well 
equipped with a pumping plant, and twenty-five acres are in alfalfa, a portion 
of the remainder being used for raising barley. Mr. Firchow has a dairy 
supplied by twenty milch cows. 

Mr. Firchow married Bertha Hensel, a native of Germany, the ceremony 
taking place in Wisconsin. Eleven children were born to them, as follows : 
Alma, Edward, Walter, Rollin, Elsie, Arthur, Frederick, George, Marie, Flora 
and Paul. Mr. Firchow supports the Republican principles and candidates at 
the polls; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although Mr. 
and Mrs. Firchow have not been residents of Solano county very long, they 
have endeared themselves to the citizens because of their desire to see the 
county progress, and also because of their pleasing personal attributes. 



JOHN MEYER. 

In the rugged yet pleasing personality of John Meyer, of Dixon, a man 
of wide experience and a rancher of no mean ability, we have a combining of 
Teutonic and Anglo-Saxon characteristics. Mr. Meyer was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, January 11, 1833, and he was twenty years old when he turned 
his face toward the great republic of America, determined to make a fortune 
for himself. Embarking on board a sailing vessel at Bremen, Germany, he 
took passage for New Orleans, La., the trip occupying forty-nine days. Arriv- 
ing in New Orleans in October, 1853, he. his sister and stepbrother took 
boat for St. Louis, Mo., where they remained for one winter, Mr. Meyer work- 
ing on the railroad during this time. By dint of thrift and industry he saved 
sufficient money to enable him to go to Baltimore and secure passage in a 
steamer going to San Francisco, Cal., via the Horn. This voyage was unsuc- 
cessful. During a heavy storm the twelve hundred passengers were awakened 
about nine o'clock at night, when sea after sea broke over the boat and about 
four hundred of their number were washed overboard. Two days of awful 
suffering followed, when their signals of distress finally brought relief. The 
women and officers and some of the crew were taken on board the boat and 
landed at Monroe, Va., where they were transferred. A collection was taken 
up for the shipwrecked passengers and Mr. Meyer received $106 for his share, 
for he had lost all of his personal effects in the wreck. Not deterred in his de- 
sire to go to California, he set out on his journey via the Isthmus. Only 
half of the railroad across Central America was completed, and the other half 
of the overland journey was made by means of mules and pack horses. Mr. 
Meyer arrived in San Francisco in May, 1854. 

Mr. Meyer went to Rattlesnake Bar. in the mining district, where he stayed 
for one week, then returning to Sacramento, after which he went to Colusa to 
assist in shipping wood to Sacramento. Upon the refusal of his employer to 
pay his wages, he left and hired himself out to the owner of a dairy at a 
salary of $400 per year. After working for a year he came to Solano county 
and worked for wages for one man for six years, at the end of which time, in 
1863, he pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres of land five miles east of 
Dixon, where he now lives. Later he added another one hundred and sixty 
acres and at different times has purchased other land, until he now has six 
hundred and forty acres of land altogether, upon which he raises grain and 
stock. 

Mr. Meyer married Christine Henning, a native of Holstein, Germany, 
and five children blessed the union: Annie (deceased), Laura, Emma, Charles 
and Adolph, the last mentioned also deceased. Mrs. Meyer died in 1902. 
Politically Mr. Meyer is a Republican and he and his family are members of 




**k 



j* 





1 JW, 




HISTORY OF S( >l wo WD NAP \ COUNTIES 60S 

the German Lutheran Church in Dixon. He is a progressive man and takes a 
keen interest in all matters pertaining to the advancemenl of the community 

in which he li\ es. 



JOHN GEORGE MUELLER. 

A native of Germany, John G. Mueller was born in < >bersondheim, wur- 
temberg, October 4. 1874. When he was only one and a half years old his 
mother, Friedericka (Zeller) Mueller, passed away, after which his father, 
Frederick Mueller, left For America in 1876. A few years after this, when 
he was the years old. the son left the Fatherland in charge of an aunt, Mrs. 
Caroline (Mueller") Kettenburg, and upon landing in the I nited States, in 
1880, they came direct to California, and on the farm on which they then 
located Mr. Mueller has made his home ever since. Being reared on a farm, 
he well understands the problems he has to fact-, as has been proven in the 
management ^\ his holdings. Five miles north of Vacaville he owns one 
hundred ami twenty acres of land, consisting of some of the finest land that 
the district boasts, lie devotes all of his time to the cultivation of the soil, 
raising fruit and grain, and also carrying enough stock for his own immediate 
use. About twenty-four acres are in orchard to peaches, apricots and prunes, 
besides which he also farms considerable rented land, on which he raises 
grain, for the harvesting of which he owns a combined side-hill harvester. 

Mr. Mueller devotes much time to the board of trustees of the Peaceful 
(ilen school district, oi which he has been secretary for six years. During this 
time the new school house has been built and the standard of the school has 
been raised, it now ranking as one of the largest schools in the county under 
one teacher. Fraternally Mr. Mueller is identified with the Fraternal Order 
of Kagles. of which he is a trustee. Of good habits and disposition, he has 
won and retained the esteem of all those with whom he comes in contact, 
because of his readiness to support all measures that will upbuild the com- 
munity and advance the cause of civic righteousness. 



DAVID MARTIN MILLER. 

An honorable record as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, 
followed by an energetic application to business pursuits, entitles Mr. Miller 
to a position of prominence in the citizenship of Solano county, where, al- 
though not a pioneer, he is well known through long identification with impor- 
tant interests. Very little of his life was passed in his native commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, where he was born at Erie during the year 1838, for at the 
age of four years he was taken to Indiana by his parents. Dr. Archibald and 
Esther II. (Martin) Miller. The family settled at Lagro, Wabash county, 
in 1842. just about the time that the Indians were driven out of the state. 
After one year at Lagro the family went to Laporte, same state, where the 
son was sent to the common schools and laid the foundation of a fair education. 

Going from Laporte to South Bend in 1852. Mr. Miller secured employ- 
ment as clerk in a book store and later for eighteen months attended the 
Northern Indiana Methodist College, occupying the site where now stands 
the plant of the Oliver Chilled Plow Company. At the outbreak of the Civil 
war he became an enthusiastic supporter of the Union. October 9, 1861, he 
was accepted as a sergeant-major in the Forty-eighth Indiana Infantry for a 
period covering three years or during the continuance of the war. With his 
regiment he went to the front. The soldiers were conveyed down the Missis- 
sippi river on a boat confiscated from the Confederates and after landing at 
Pittsburg Landing they were sent on to Shiloh, where- Mr. Miller took part in 



606 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the second day's conflict under Gen. Lew Wallace. At Corinth, July 11, 1862, 
he was wounded and ordered home on a furlough and obliged to relinquish 
his activities as sergeant-major. Lpon regaining his health he re-enlisted and 
served as first sergeant of Company I. One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana 
Infantry. While at Camp Mortin near Indianapolis. Ind., he heard of the 
assassination of President Lincoln. Soon afterward he was ordered to Wash- 
ington with the command and was stationed at Arlington Heights, later being 
transferred to Delaware and remaining in camp until the close of the war. 
During his furlough in 1863 he had been united in marriage with Maria 
Bedker, who was born in Williams county. Ohio, of Pennsylvania parentage. 
Since coming to California in 1874 Mr. Miller has been engaged in con- 
tracting and building, but while living in the east he was employed princi- 
pally as a mechanical engineer. His father died in Indiana in 1859 and during 
1868 the widowed mother came to the west, settling in California, where after- 
ward she made her home. In this state her death occurred in June of 1901, at 
the age of ninety-one years and seven months. The family of David Martin 
Miller comprises four children. The eldest, Hettie Louise, was born in South 
Bend. Ind., June 3, 1864, and became the wife of Bailey T. Wilkinson, a. native 
of Virginia. They and their two children reside in the Suisun valley. The 
second daughter, Rosa Etta, was born in 1868 and died February 24, 1872. 
Otho Powers Miller was born at South Bend May 30, 1872 ; he is shed manager 
for the Pioneer Fruit Company and is living at the parental home in Fair- 
field. The youngest member of the family, Albert S. Miller, born in Solano 
county in 1878, resides in the Suisun valley and is superintendent of the Fair- 
field water works ; in 1908 he married Miss Sadie McGeorge, a native of 
Arkansas, and they are the parents of two children. The Gen. Sol Meredith 
Post No. 176. G. A. R., to which Mr. Miller belongs, has now only five mem- 
bers living out of the original twenty-seven and its activities have been re- 
duced with the lessening of its ranks. Politically he has voted the Democratic 
ticket from the time of attaining- his majority. Among his friends in Indiana 
he numbered Hon. Schuyler Colfax, one of the illustrious statesmen given by 
that state to the nation ; he was also personally acquainted with and an ad- 
mirer of Abraham Lincoln, whom he believes to be one of the greatest men 
our country has ever produced. Looking back over a long and honorable life, 
he can review with pride the creditable part he has maintained in business 
activities in his former home as well as in California ; he can study his army 
record with satisfaction and view with just gratitude to his country the oppor- 
tunities it has offered to all of its sons, whether or not they have worn its 
insignia in battle and fought under its flag. 



SAMUEL L. REED. 

The valley of Napa is dotted with farms small in acreage but large in 
financial returns to their fortunate owners and among these homesteads may 
be mentioned the tract belonging to Mr. Reed and lying in the vicinity of 
Yountville. Upon his arrival in Napa county he secured the title to one hun- 
dred and eighteen acres, but preferring to cultivate a smaller place, he traded 
the property and secured instead two substantial residences in St. Helena, also 
the twenty-four acres now owned and managed by him. A vineyard of choice 
grapes covers fourteen acres of the farm and the vines, now three and four 
years old, greatly enhance the value of the property. Five acres of the tract 
are in alfalfa and the balance of the farm is under cultivation to corn, which 
in 1910 brought $40 per acre through producing two tons to the acre that 
sold at $20 per ton or one cent per pound. 

A native of Illinois and born in March of 1850, Samuel L. Reed is a son 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 607 

of George F. ami Sarah i Ray son) Reed, natives of England. The family com- 
prised seven children, four of whom attained mature years, namely: John R., 
T. L. (deceased), Samuel L.. and Mary (deceased). The only daughter became 
the wife of Randall Packard and the mother of five children ; at the time of her 
death she was a resident of Kent county. Mich. John R., who married Ade- 
laide Gilmore for his first wife, has two sons, one of whom, G. V., has served 
as tax collector ^\ Tulare county. Cal., and now has a position as cashier and 
manager ^\ the First National Bank of Lindsay. D. L. is a horticulturist at 
Reedley. For his second wife John R. Reed married Mary A. Posl of Ohio, 
and they have three children. Rayson, Mayme and Adda. The son, Rayson. 
acts as foreman of a large orange grove at Lindsay. The brothers at one time 
were heavily interested in the wheat business in Fresno, Tulare. Kings and 
Madera counties, and T. L. was widely known as the "wheat king" of the 
country. During 1895 they had seventy-two thousand acres in small grain 
and sold the entire crop at sixty cents per hundred pounds. 

While living in Kansas for thirteen years Samuel L. Reed engaged in 
ranching and raising stock. From there he came to California in 1889 and 
settled in Fresno county, removing thence in 1900 to Xapa county. After the 
death of his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Laura Scott, he married 
Mrs. Alpha A. (Hale) Mercer, the widow of Wesley Mercer and the mother 
of one child by her first marriage. Born in California, she received a fair 
education in local schools and has spent her entire life in the state. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Reed are successful workers in the poultry industry. They have 
specialized with the Black Minorcas, which they believe to be unexcelled 
from the egg standpoint. A large number of the hens have laid more than 
two hundred eggs each for the year's record. His success is due to care and 
labor, but perhaps may be attributed in greatest degree to caution exercised 
in the purchase of the foundation stock. The best breeders in the world were 
resorted to before he made his orders, hence he bought no culls, but on the 
other hand has a flock unsurpassed as specimens of that breed. Frequently he 
has paid $10 for cockerels in order to have perfect fowls at the head of the 
flock. Eggs are sold at $2.50 to $5 per setting, according to the flock from 
which they come. The brooder house for the little chicks will accommodate 
one thousand. Every equipment is provided for successful work. The hens 
average a profit of $2.50 each per year over and above all expenses. Some of 
the birds now on hand are of such perfect markings that it is Mr. Reed's desire 
to enter them for exhibition in poultry shows and should he do so it may be 
taken for granted that they will be ribbon winners. 

For some time Mr. Reed has been identified with the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows and while he has not been prominent in its work he keeps 
posted concerning the lodge activities. He has ever been a sympathetic friend 
of the public schools, aiding the local work in every way, and in Kansas he 
served several years in the office of school trustee. The Democratic party re- 
ceives his vote at all national elections, but in local campaigns he is in- 
dependent. 



ROY DUXHAM MAYES. 

In the personality of Roy D. Mayes there may be seen flashes of those 
qualities that made his father, the late John Stephen Mayes, a most popular 
man and one of the most successful agriculturists and business men of the 
country. In the son the father lives again, and those who know him best 
state that there is every indication that he will continue to progress even as 
did his paternal relative before him. 

Roy D. Mayes was born in Dixon. Solano county. April 15, 1890. a son 
of John Stephen and Anna (Dunham i Mayes, the latter a native of Missouri. 



608 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

He received a good education in the public schools of the county at Mt. 
Tamalpais military academy and at California College, Oakland, thus laying 
the foundation, from an educational standpoint, for a successful career. 
Through active association with his father in early life he gained a complete 
insight into the way in which the latter's affairs were conducted. 

Mr. Mayes was married in Vallejo, May 2, 1909, to Miss Neva Eibe, a 
native of Dixon and the daughter of Thomas T. and Elizabeth Eibe, retired 
pioneer farmers in Dixon. Mr. and Mrs. Mayes have one child, John Stephen. 
Mr. Mayes has in his own right two thousand acres of land, four hundred and 
eighty in pasture and the remainder in wheat, barley and alfalfa. The average 
crop of barley is twenty sacks, wheat fifteen sacks, and two large combined 
harvesters are used in the gathering of the crops. Mr. Mayes was also en- 
gaged in stock-raising until 1911, since then having devoted his time to the 
subdivision of his large ranch. In 1911 he subdivided fourteen hundred 
acres of land into twenty and forty-acre tracts, selling these to small in- 
vestors and homeseekers for dairying and fruit-raising. It has been demon- 
strated that the land is unexcelled for alfalfa and fruit-raising. Wells at 
one hundred feet bring an abundance of water, rising within fifteen feet of the 
surface. In two months Mr. Mayes sold off about twelve hundred acres. 
In 1911 he erected a large residence on A street. Valuable as was the service 
rendered by that noble pioneer J. S. Mayes, it was left for his son to open the 
way for the homeseeker to obtain a foothold in this part of the Sacramento 
valley and thus start the immigration to and the building up of Dixon and 
vicinity. Politically Mr. Mayes is a Republican, an active member of the 
Dixon Chamber of Commerce, and with his wife he is a member of the 
Baptist Church. 



JOSEPH B. SOUZA. 

A native of Portugal, born April 25, 1871, Mr. Souza was fourteen years 
old when he immigrated to the United States. He landed in San Francisco, 
and for the past twenty years has been a resident of Solano county. He now 
leases four hundred and eighty acres of land from Thomas Wilson for grain 
raising and dairying, besides which he also leases two hundred and twelve 
acres near Vacaville for grain and orchard. Over one hundred acres are in 
orchard, in which all kinds of fruit are grown. 

The marriage of Mr. Souza took place in Oakland in 1883, when he was 
united with Mary Borge, a native of Portugal, who came with her parents 
to the United States. Six children were born to the union : Paul J., William, 
Ernest L., Joseph, Zelma and Leo. Politically Mr. Souza is a Republican. 
He is progressive in his ideas and has done much for the advancement of the 
community during his twenty years' residence in Solano county. 



PATRICK FOX. 

Born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1848, Mr. Fox was reared and edu- 
cated in his native land and at the age of twenty set out for the United States, 
intending to settle in California. The voyage to the Pacific coast was made by 
way of Panama and he finally reached his destination, San Francisco, Cal. 
Here he remained until 1868, when he left for Vallejo, Solano county, and for 
two years he followed railroading in this place, working for a part of this time 
as brakeman between Vallejo and Napa. Leaving Vallejo he came to Elmira, 
here also engaging in railroading for a time. By frugally saving his earnings 
after coming to this country he was able to purchase a ranch of one hundred 
and sixty acres for $2,500 upon locating in Elmira, and this has been his home 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNT I ES 611 

ever since. \t the time of purchase i1 was practically new country, and Mr. 
Fox remembers well having ridden from Elmira to Sacramento on horseback 
over the rolling prairies. He now owns altogether ten hundred and fifty seven 
acres of land, two hundred of this being in barley, from which he averages 
fourteen sacks to the acre. The rest is pasture land devoted to stock-raising. 
There are between five and six hundred head of slice)), mixed Shropshires and 
Merinos, besides numerous cattle, horses and mnles. 

In Elmira Mr. Fox was married to Miss Maggie Kilkenny, and six children 
were horn to them: William II.. John 1!.. Timothy E., Anna L., Katie F. and 
Grace M Politically Mr. Fox is a Democrat, and he is a communicant of the 
Catholic Church. 



JOHN LEWIS LYON. 

Since January 4. 1874. John Lewis Lyon has been a resident of California 
and one of the stanch npbnilders of its best interests, and although now re- 
tired from active business is still keenly alive to the advancement of the 
general welfare <<\ the community, lie does not. however, belong only to 
the Pacific coast states, but rather to the entire Union, with that great bond 
of sympathy which exists between the soldier and the civilian, for he fought 
gallantly for his country in her hour of need. It is probable that he inherited 
his patriotism from his Revolutionary ancestors, as the family is one that has 
long been established on American soil; his father, Harvey Lyon, a miller 
ami farmer and a man of more than ordinary mechanical ability, spent his 
entire life in New York state, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years, 
lie was survived by his wife, who in maidenhood was Laura Seymour; she 
died at Ogdensburg. N. Y.. at the age of ninety-five years and six months, 
retaining her faculties to an unusual degree and always proving an enter- 
taining companion in her reminiscences of the early days. 

John Lewis Lyon was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., April 7, 1842, and 
amid the home surroundings was reared to young manhood, assisting his 
father and at the same time receiving a good high school education, having 
intended in youth to study for the ministry. The call to arms in 1861 turned 
his attention to other things, and on the 18th of April he enlisted in Com- 
pany A. Sixteenth Regiment. New York Volunteer Infantry, and during his 
service from that date to May 2, 1863, participated in many important engage- 
ments Among them were the first and second battles of Bull Run, Antietam. 
Charles City Crossroads, first and second battles of Fredericksburg, and in 
the second of these at Salem Church he was first sergeant and volunteered 
to carry the colors : in this engagement four of the color guards had been shot 
down, and after he took the flag two stars were shot out, his haversack was 
shut away, and he received three bulletholes in his pants and two bullets 
passed so close to his face that he received burns which left scars for a long 
time. In proportion to the number engaged this was said to have been a more 
hotly contested fight than that of Gaines Mill, where eleven color bearers 
were -hot flown, the eleventh man being Lieutenant-Colonel Marsh, who dis- 
mounted and seized the colors. Receiving a wound in the neck, he was con- 
veyed to Harrison's Landing, where he died July 4. After the engagement 
Color Serjeant Lyon was asked as to his thoughts during the conflict and 
he said that he never wanted to see his mother more and never had home 
seemed so sweet. He took part in eighteen engagements in all. After return- 
ing home Serjeant Lyon raised a company for the Fourteenth Heavy Artillery 
and had intended to act as its captain, but did not on account of reasons be- 
yond his control. 

After returning to civic duties, Sergeant Lyon clerked for a time in 
Ogdensburir. In October. 1864. in Fayetteville, he married Mi-- Man E, 



612 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Parker, a native of that city and the daughter of a druggist, who came west 
to Oregon and there made his home until his death. She was graduated from 
the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y., and met her future husband when 
he was delivering the colors to Governor Seymour of New York. After their 
marriage Mr. Lyon went to St. Joseph, Mo., and there passed a year, during 
which he engaged with an uncle in the lumber business and made a success 
of it, while he also took an active interest in the general welfare of the com- 
munity, raising a hook and ladder company. When he left there he received 
an ovation from the citizens who had eome to appreciate his sterling traits of 
character. He went to Tennessee, intending to locate in Nashville, but in- 
stead went to Brooklyn, N. Y., where with a partner he entered into business 
as a dealer in masons' building material, the firm being known as Reeve & 
Lyon. For the last five years of his stay there the firm was known as the 
J. L. Lyon Company. 

In December, 1873, after the great panic of that year, Mr. Lyon started 
for California via the Isthmus of Panama, and arrived in San Francisco Janu- 
ary 4, 1874. He at once formed a partnership and engaged in business at No. 
549 California street, under the firm name of Chamberlain & Lyon. Shortly 
afterwards Mr. Chamberlain sold his interest and the firm became Lyon & 
Fowler. Six months later Mr. Fowler retired, and C. W. Kinsey taking his 
place they located their store in Oakland, and under the name of Lyon & 
Kinsey they conducted a general auction and furniture business for ten years. 
After dissolving this partnership Mr. Lyon conducted the business for five 
years under the name of J. L. Lyon & Son, this son, W. Parker Lyon, now 
being mayor and a prominent business man of Fresno. 

Politically Colonel Lyon was always a Republican until 1892, and was 
prominently connected in the councils of the party, having served as delegate 
to state and county conventions for many years. In 1886 he was appointed 
special aid-de-camp on the staff of General Smedberg, department commander 
of California and Nevada, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and served 
acceptably. In 1893 he advocated the principles of the People's party and 
was nominated for congress from the third congressional district and suc- 
ceeded in lowering the Republican majority thirty-five hundred, while the Dem- 
ocratic nominee was elected by only eleven votes. He was extremely promi- 
nent in all matters relating to the welfare of the community, being a member 
and director of the Board of Trade, a member and treasurer of the Merchants' 
Exchange and a member and director of the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion, and for seven years was one of the trustees of California College. He 
was a member of Appomattox Post No. 50, G. A. R., and has served in various 
offices. In 1886, at the time of the dedication of Grant's tomb in New York, 
Colonel Lyon conceived the idea of sending a carload of flowers from Cali- 
fornia and in three weeks he perfected the arrangements, raising the necessary 
funds and secured the flowers, these being donated by individuals and the 
various posts of the state. The flowers consisted of two thousand calla lilies 
worth fifty cents each in the east, a floral piece representing a full size white 
horse and General Grant as the rider, the white horse being covered with 
candytuft, and with pampas plumes for a mane and tail, and other pieces of 
various designs ; they were placed in a refrigerator car and were sent on a 
passenger train to the east in charge of the colonel. He was royally enter- 
tained while in New York by General Jardine at a banquet, General Sickles, 
Barnum and others being present, and Grant Post also gave him an ovation 
before his return to California. In 1893 Colonel Lyon was also chosen to rep- 
resent his fellow citizens, this time acting as a member and treasurer of the 
World's Fair commission from Alameda county, where he spent from three 
to five hours a day for forty days in lecturing on Alameda county, addressing 
during the time about three-quarters of a million people. Fraternally the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 613 

colonel is a member and a past consul of lamp No. (, 4 of the Woodmen <>f the 
World. 

No less active is Colonel Lyon in church affairs, having been a promi- 
nent member of the Baptisl denomination Eor many years. While residing in 
Brooklyn he served as treasurer and trustee of the church to which he be 
longed and was one of the directors of the Brooklyn Baptist Social Union. 
Since coming west he has taken an equally prominent part in religious affairs. 
for twenty years serving; as a member of the board of trustees of the First 
Baptisl Church and officiating for seven years as its president, while for five 
year- he served as chairman of the Home Mission Board of the state. For 
three years lie was president of the Baptist state convention and for many 
year- served as a trustee of the California Baptisl College. The family of 
Colonel and Mrs. Lyon consists of three children: W. Parker, horn in 1865, 
and now mayor o\ the city of Fresno; Edmund C, horn in 1872. and now en- 
gaged in the furniture business in Los Angeles as president and manager of 
the Lyon. McKinney & Smith Company; and Harvey B.. manager of the 
Lyon Storage & Moving Company of Oakland. 

Colonel Lyon in 1884 purchased a twenty-acre ranch on the northern 
boundaries of Vacaville, Solano county, the early fruit belt of California, and 
here he raises all kinds iA fruit and grapes. Colonel Lyon was engaged in the 
furniture business at Oakland at this time, coming to the ranch Saturday 
evenings and returning Monday mornings to his business, his wife conducting 
the work oi the ranch. The latter's mother. Mrs. Parker, lived there several 
year- before her death, when Mrs. Lyon returned to Oakland. The place is 
called Prospect ranch on account of the panorama one obtains from it. It 
was rented until ahout two and a half years ago. when the colonel moved 
upon it and by hard work has made it all over by grafting many of the trees 
and making other improvements. During the fruit season he works from 
twelve to seventeen hours a day, always taking the hardest part of the work. 
This he still continues and has sufficient energy to last for many years and 
surmount all obstacles. The motto of this indefatigable worker is "Never 
grow old: die first." His grandmother died at ninety-three and his mother 
in her ninety-fifth year. 



JEAN LAURENT. 

The life herein delineated commenced in Bordeau, France, November 2. 
1837. and ended in Napa county, Cal., October 23, 1890. Early in life Mr. 
Laurent developed a taste for traveling and the major portion of his early 
years were spent in journeying from one place to another. In 1852, in the 
course of his travels, he came to California and being impressed with what he 
saw and with the possibilities of the state, he remained and for a time was 
located in Sonora. Tuolumne county, where he was engaged in mining, ranch- 
ing and various other pursuits. In 1860 he manufactured wine there, a busi- 
ness which he had learned in his native land. In 1868 he came to Napa 
county and started in the vegetable business, continuing in the same for four 
and one-half years with moderate success. He then settled on a ranch of one 
hundred and fifty acres three and one-half miles north of St. Helena, where 
he engaged in raising grapes and in making wine. This occupation was 
continued until his decease, October 23. 18''0. 

Mr. Laurent was married in St. Helena. January 22. 1876, to Miss Louisa 
Trumpler. who was born in Switzerland in 1856." The following children 
were born to them: August J., who ably carries on the grape and wine in- 
dustry left by his father: Eugene P.: Louisa J., wife of W. D. Smith; Selma 
E. : Leontine M. and Irma M. On the death of Mr. Laurent in 1890 Mrs. 
Laurent carried on the business with the aid of her sons, and some time later 



614 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

married J. A. Ericson, and to this union there were born two children, Ernest 
A. and Alice C. The wife and mother died August 1, 1905. The memory 
of these two strong characters is honored by those who remain to continue 
the work where they relinquished it. 



JOHN FRANCIS HAYES. 

The decade of the '50s, which witnessed a remarkable influx of settlers 
in California, brought the Hayes family from their native shores of Ireland to 
seek the opportunities offered by the western coast of the new world. The 
original immigrant, Daniel W., was a bright Irish lad when he heard of the 
discovery of gold in this state and decided to leave the poverty of the old 
world for the openings available in the new. A few years after gold had been 
discovered he came around the Horn in a large vessel crowded with gold- 
seekers. His wife, Jane Tublety, also came around the Horn on the ship 
known as the City of St. Louis, enjoying a peaceful voyage until near its desti- 
nation, when it was wrecked at the Golden Gate and its passengers barely 
escaped with their lives. 

Daniel W. Hayes rose out of hardships and poverty into a degree of 
success and for years he remained one of the leading men of Vallejo, where 
he died at an advanced age. His son, John Francis, was born at Benicia, 
Solano county, in 1854, and died at Vallejo in 1886, at the age of about thirty- 
two years. All of his memories were associated with Vallejo, for he was only 
eight months old when the family removed to this town and here he received 
a public school education. During 1880 he married Miss Mary Dorsam, a 
native of Lafayette, Ind., but a resident of California for the past thirty-seven 
years, since she was about fifteen years of age. The family of which she is 
a member comes from Teutonic ancestry, and her parents, Leonard and Mar- 
garet (Kattenburg) Dorsam, were both natives of Germany, although resi- 
dents of Indiana throughout the greater part of their lives. The father en- 
gaged in a manufacturing business in Lafayette. 

At his death Mr. Hayes was survived by his widow and two children. 
The daughter, Mary C, is the wife of Dr. C. A. Snoddy, resident physician of 
the General Hospital at Knoxville, Tenn. The son, James Daniel, is an elec- 
trician and contractor in Vallejo; he married Alpha Tait, a descendant of two 
of the oldest Spanish families in California. Mrs. Hayes owns her own home 
at No. 318 Capitol street and since the death of her husband has lived in the 
same place. Until his death Mr. Hayes was very active in local politics and 
led the Democratic councils in his home town. 



LAWRENCE ARMANINO. 

A resident of Solano county since 1902, Lawrence Armanino has in the 
meantime shown himself capable of achieving a measure of success. He was 
born in Italy in 1885 and was seventeen years old when he came to Cali- 
fornia. In the same year he settled in Solano county in the English Hills 
and bought fifty-two acres of land, on which he raised all kinds of fruit, 
and leased fifteen acres five miles north of Dixon, used for growing vege- 
tables, such as cabbage, lettuce, celery, beets, carrots, parsnips and turnips. 
In addition to these he grows all kinds of melons, strawberries, tomatoes and 
squash. 

Mr. Armanino was married in Vacaville to Rose L. Bart, and they have 
two children, Carmel and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Armanino are members of 
the Catholic Church. An evidence of the progressive spirit of Mr. Armanino 
is seen in the irrigating facilities on his land. The outfit cost him more than 
S600 and supplies the ranch with an abundance of water. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 617 

WILLIAM II. I. \.\ir.LKT. 

Vmong the successful and influential agriculturist- and horticulturists of 

the Suisun valley mention should be made of William II. Lambert, who was 
horn on the place he now owns July 10, I860, the son of Wesley Lambert, one 
of the pioneers ^i this section, being a native of Kentucky and horn in 1828. 
He removed to Iowa, where he lived until he was twenty years of age, when 
he crossed the plains to the wot in 1S4S. coming by way of the North Platte, 
Salt Lake City and the sink i>\ the Humboldt on through to California, stop- 
ping for several years in the upper Suisun valley within the limits of Napa 
county ami there he followed the stock business, lie returned to Iowa and 
there married the girl to whom he was engaged before his first trip 
to the Golden West, and in 1852 he again crossed the plains with ox-teams 
and a large drove of cattle, locating again on his old place in Wooden valley 
canon. Soon afterwards he purchased a farm of two hundred and nine acres 
in the upper Suisun valley, but in Solano county. In 1863 he rented his place 
and removed to Nevada, hut remained only a couple of years. He ran a dairy 
ou Lake Tahoe and had a log cabin on its banks. While there he built a 
toll road to Carson City, lie was interested in mining at different times both 
in California and Nevada. He returned to his ranch near Suisun and con 
tinned the stock business, purchasing land adjoining until he had tune hun- 
dred and sixty-nine acres in one body and later added one hundred and sixty 
acres within one and a half miles, and subsequently also bought the old 
Swan place, but which he sold later on. He also owned about five hundred 
acres in Mendocino county, where he resided from 1879 until his death Janu- 
ary 5, 1899. ' 

Wesley Lambert married Derinda Burger, a native of Iowa, born in 
1833: she died November 10, 1898. The following children were born to 
them: George, deceased: Sarah E.. Mrs. Daggett, who died in this valley; 
John W., of Suisun valley : Olive L.. Mrs. Springer, of Benicia; and William 
IL. the subject of this sketch. Wesley Lambert was one of the noble band 
of pioneers who in their prime entered the wilderness and claimed the virgin 
soil as their heritage. He saw the opportunity and was equal to the emer- 
gency and became a man well and favorably known and universally loved and 
highly respected. 

The childhood of William H. Lambert was spent on the farm, receiving 
his primary education in the public schools of the valley and completing his 
studies in the schools of Suisun. Afterward he returned to the old farm and 
putting his shoulder to the wheel, helped his mother- not only to improve the 
ranch, but to clear it of indebtedness. When a youth he learned the stock 
business with his father, so when he started he owned his own outfit and 
small herd and from this small beginning has grown his present large business 
and property, until he now has a competency. I lis place is known as the 
Valley Point fruit farm, comprising two hundred and seventy-nine acres of 
land eight miles northwest of Suisun. forty-six acres devoted to an orchard 
of peaches, prunes, apricots, cherries and pears, the rest of the land devoted 
to farming and stock. He is also engaged in the wholesale butcher business 
in Suisun and Fairfield. He is raising high-grade Durhams, Berkshire hogs 
and Shropshire sheep. In addition to his place he leases about twelve hun- 
dred acres of land for stock range, one-half in Gordon valley and the balance 
in tide land, thus having good range all seasons of the vear. 

Mr. Lamberts first marriage was to Miss Emma Chadbourne, a native 
of California, and the daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Hobbs) Chadbourne. 
pioneers of the Suisun valley. Of this union eight children were born: Clara 
I'..: Lewis R.. attending Stanford University, class of 1912; Ella M.; Georgia 
E.. Cttis Lovey; William A.; Ruth A.; and Orville Dewey, lie was married 

29 



618 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the second time in Fairfield September 11, 1911, to Mrs. Hilda M. (Carlson) 
Hart, born in Sidney, Australia, who in her first year same to San Francisco 
with her parents. Her father, Charles J. Carlson, was engaged in business in 
San Francisco until he retired ; he died at the time of the earthquake. The 
mother, Dorothea W. (Schubel) Carlson, is still living in the city. Mrs. 
Lambert was graduated from the Girls high school and the Normal in San 
Francisco 

Politically Mr. Lambert is a stanch Prohibitionist firmly believing in the 
high principles promulgated by that party. Fraternally he was for many 
years a member of the Good Templars, serving as past district deputy of the 
grand lodge. He has been a Methodist for many years, being a member of 
the church at Fairfield, and is very liberal and active in the work and up- 
building of churches in the community. His wife has been an active member 
of the United Presbyterian Church in San Francisco and also in the evangel- 
istic movements in that city. Mr. Lambert is a very enterprising man, ever 
ready to assist in forwarding movements for the betterment of the community. 



JEROME BONAPART RICHARDSON. 

A lifetime of activity brings to Mr. Richardson pleasant memories of 
associations in other parts of the country than the Pacific coast, where he 
has made his home since the year 1860. Although he has reached an age 
when the average man would consider himself eligible to the retired list, Mr. 
Richardson possesses a temperament too energetic to permit of idleness or 
inactivity and every day he may be seen about the streets of Suisun looking 
after the varied business interests that have engaged his attention for many 
years. Undoubtedly Mr. Richardson's energy and forcefulness come as an 
inheritance from his father, Manning Richardson, a native of Stonington, 
Conn., and a participant in the war of 1812. In young manhood the father 
left the home of his parents and settled in Herkimer county, N. Y., and subse- 
quently he located in Genesee county, same state. In the town of Le Roy 
he settled on a farm that was in its primeval condition, covered with beech 
and maple and other hardwood timber. Undismayed by the outlook, he set 
about clearing the land and preparing it for cultivation, only to leave it years 
later and make location in the wilds of Wisconsin. On a farm which he pur- 
chased near Platteville, Grant county, he rounded out the years of a long and 
active life, as did also his wife, who before her marriage was Nancy Curtis, 
a native of Herkimer county, N. Y. 

Eight children at one time gathered about the fireside of this worthy 
couple, of whom the third was Jerome Bonapart Richardson, who was born 
in Le Roy ; Genesee county, N. Y., June 10, 1827, and is the sixth generation 
from Amos Richardson, who came from England and settled in Massachu- 
setts in 1640. His early life was passed in Le Roy and Stafford, N. Y., where 
he attended school and prepared himself for the teacher's profession. For 
some time after leaving school he alternated between teaching school in the 
winter and working on farms during summers, but when twenty years old, 
in 1847, he left the east and located in Grant county, Wis., near Platteville. 
Pre-empting a claim from the government, he set to work with a will to pre- 
pare the land for cultivation, using a breaking plow drawn by four or five 
yoke of oxen. In the breaking and cultivation of this land he attached to 
the plow an implement known as a roller coulter, the idea of which had been 
conceived by his brother Marvin, and undoubtedly he was the original in- 
ventor of this method of cutting the sod. In 1860 Mr. Richardson disposed 
of his farm in Wisconsin and with an outfit consisting of two wagons drawn 
by horses he started on the overland journey. Crossing the Mississippi river, 
he passed through the state of Iowa, and finally reached Council Bluffs, from 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD \ \PA COUNTIES 619 

there going up the Platte river and the old governmenl trail to California. 
\fnr a journey of four months he finally reached Suisun, Solano county, 
being attracted to thi-* location From the fad that liis brother Marvin was 
located here. An otherwise pleasanl journey was clouded by the fact thai 
their little son Will was taken ill with scarlet Fever, but by the application 
of home methods which Mrs. Richardson had learned in the cast the child 
soon recovered. Then later the little two-year-old daughter Belle was taken 
with tlie same fever. A physician halving come into the company it was 
thought best to employ him. hut after ten or twelve days he gave her up. 
saying he could do nothing more for her. This indeed was a sorrowful time, 
the mother exclaiming, "What shall we do?" Mr. Richardson's reply showed 
the confidence he placed in his wife. "You cured Will: it's up to you to save 
Belle." This she accomplished with a hot-water pack. An incident telling 
how Mr. Richardson secured some potatoes before they arrived in Salt Lake 
City may not be out of place: The family had been out of potatoes for some 
days, and seeing some at the Tony Express station at South Pass Mr. Richard- 
son endeavored to purchase a supply. The company refused to sell him any, 
but he found their weak point when he traded them a pint of Bourbon whiskey 
for a pail of potatoes, and he says he got the best of the bargain, and the 
family had a feast. 

Being pleased with the outlook at Suisun. Mr. Richardson determined 
to make it his future home, proving his determination by the purchase of 
three acres of land located where the depot now stands. After building a 
house for the shelter of his family he turned his attention to tilling the soil and 
preparing for future crops. During the summer of 1863 he freighted to the 
state of Nevada, making five round trips with three six-yoke teams of oxen 
and a four-mule team, and he remembers it as one of the most strenuous 
seasons of his life. Suisun has been his home ever since, but the passing of 
years has noted many changes, both in his property and diversified interests 
and The upbuilding of the town and county as well. A man of his ability and 
versatility was not long permitted to remain in private life, and his appoint- 
ment as assistant assessor of internal revenue of Solano and Yolo counties 
was the initial honor of this character conferred upon him. However, the 
office expired by law and he was then appointed deputy collector of internal 
revenue of Solano, Yolo and Lake counties, a position which he held for 
twenty years, or until the change of administration. During this time he 
collected and remitted over one and a half million dollars, all of which was 
accomplished without error. After giving up this position Mr. Richardson 
engaged in the insurance business as special agent for a number of old-line 
companies, a business which he has continued ever since. Besides the busi- 
ness just mentioned he has other interests, which taken altogether occupy his 
time as fully as when he was many years younger. 

Indirectly reference has been made to Mr. Richardson's wife. She was 
before her marriage Miss Katherine Richardson, a native of Stafford, N. Y., 
where their marriage occurred. She passed away in Suisun in 1901, having 
become the mother of three children, only two of whom, however, grew to 
mature years. William Manning Richardson died at the age of twenty-four 
years, and Belle Eliza is now Mrs. Bowen, of Suisun. Mr. Richardson is a 
well-known figure in Masonic circles. He joined the order in Darlington, 
Wis., being made a Mason in Evening Star Lodge No. 64, F. & A. M.. and is 
now affiliated with Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M., in which he has always 
held office, having served several terms as master and at present is trustee. 
He is further identified with the order as a member of Solano Chapter Xo. 43, 
R. A. M.. of which he has served as high priest several terms. He is also a 
member of California Commandery No. 1. K. T., at San Francisco, of which 
he is a life member, and Islam Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S.. of the same city. 



620 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

After half a century passed on the coast Mr. Richardson in 1911 took a trip 
to his old home in the east, going by the northern route and stopping en 
route at Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, St. Paul, Minn., and Janesville, 
Wis., to Le Roy, Genesee county, N. Y., stopping three weeks. The return 
trip was made by way of Atlanta, Ga., New Orleans, La., and Galveston and 
El Paso. Tex. It so happened that he was in San Francisco at the time that 
city was visited by the calamity that makes the spring of 1906 memorable in 
the history of that city. To one of his advanced years the burning of the city 
was a severe shock, but he nevertheless does not regret the experience, 
although he sincerely hopes he will not be called upon to endure another 
similar ordeal. 



JOSEPH TRUFFINI. 

Born in Switzerland in September, 1868, Joseph Truffini was twelve 
years old when he left his native land, having in the meantime received the 
education common to the youth of that rugged country. On arriving in San 
Francisco in 1880 he worked for about one year in a dairy and then came to 
Solano county and has been a resident here ever since that time. He resides 
in Dixon, where he has a home, and he is generally employed at the dairy 
business. 

Politically Mr. Truffini is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs to 
the Odd Fellows of Dixon, the U. A. O. D. of St. Helena, and Foresters of 
America of Suisun. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. 
Truffini was married to Angelina Gagetta, a native of Switzerland, the cere- 
mony taking place in San Francisco in 1903, and two children were born to 
them, Joseph and Lorena. 



WILLIAM HENRY GARNETT. 

Born near Dixon, September 23, 1859, William H. Garnett is the son of 
the honored pioneer, James St. Clair Garnett, whose sketch appears on an- 
other page. He received his nrimary education in a private school near 
Dixon, later attending California College at Vacaville and the Pacific Meth- 
odist College at Santa Rosa, completing his education with a course at Atkin- 
son's Business College, Sacramento. He then engaged with his father on 
the old home ranch of seven hundred acres for one year. In 1882 his father 
purchased the Logan ranch near Willows, Glenn county, consisting of fifteen 
thousand acres, now devoted to farming and stock-raising. For three years 
he and his brother, James R., had entire charge of this large ranch, after 
which time William H. returned to the home ranch near Dixon and farmed 
there until his father's death. 

Mr. Garnett's ranching enterprises have always been conducted on a 
large scale, and upon his father's demise, he and his brothers and sisters in- 
corporated their interests as the J. S. Garnett Co., of which William H. 
Garnett is president and general manager, and James R. is assistant manager 
and gives his entire time to operating the Glenn county ranch. This im- 
mense property is one of the finest and largest ranches in the county. As 
many as ten thousand head of sheep are continually maintained on the ranch, 
as well as many horses and cattle. The brothers have made a great success 
in conducting the affairs of this vast property and the splendid condition of 
the ranch today is a credit not only to them but to the entire community. 
The company still owns the greater portion of the father's lands in Solano, 
Napa and Sacramento counties. 

Mr. Garnett has been successful not only along agricultural lines, but 
also in business affairs, and he is a director of the Bank of Dixon. He was 




V 

^ 






HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 623 

made a Mason in Silveyville Lodge No. 201, F. & \. M.. al Dixon, and is a 
past master; was exalted in Dixon Chapter No. 48, R. \. M., and is past high 
priest; is a member of Woodland Commandery No. _'l. K. T., and a member 
of Islam Temple, X. M. S., in San Francisco. Religiousl) Mr. Garnett has 
been a member of and active worker in the Baptisl Church of Dixon for many 
years. In 1885 occurred his marriage with Miss Kate Miller, of Colusa, and 
they have two children, lone and [Catherine. The family now resides in 
Dixon, where Mr. Garnett has just completed a large modern residence on 
Fitch street. Looking hack over his thirty years of active participation ill 
business affairs and the development of the agricultural resources of the 
Sacramento valley his confidence becomes greater each year as to the wonder- 
ful resources of this great valley. 



JOHN B. LEMON. 

This California pioneer of 1849 was born in Clark county, Ind., 
December 19, 1825. the son of Hon. John M. and Jane (McConnell) Lemon. 
For seven years the father served as a member of the house and senate of 
the Indiana state legislature, and under the administration of President 
Jackson was made receiver of public lands at Laporte, Ind., to which point 
the family removed in 1835. when John B. was a lad of ten years. The 
schools of that day were scarcely worthy the name as compared with the 
privileges which the youth of today enjoy in the same place, and all the 
hook learning that the boy gathered in his youth was in the crude schools 
of Laporte. under teachers of limited knowledge. However, being an ob- 
serving and thoughtful youth, he gathered knowledge from many sources 
and thereby became the well-informed man that he is today. In Laporte 
he was clerking in a general store when the news of the finding of gold in 
California stirred his ambition to try his luck in the mines. Hasty prepara- 
tions were made and in April. 1849, he started across the plains with a party 
of immigrants, mule teams being the motive power. Not without the 
usual experiences of dangers encountered and hardships borne did the 
party finally reach their destination, Eldorado county, after a three months' 
trip from St. Joe. Xo time was lost by Mr. Lemon in making his way to 
the mines, and for a time he mined at the middle fork of the American 
river, but as the returns from his labor in no way compared with his ex- 
pectations, the life of the miner lost its attractions for him and he sought 
■ther means of employment. Near Kelsey's Dry Diggings he opened a 
general store and later established one at Coloma, Eldorado county, and still 
later, one in Greenwood Valley in the same county. His was the first store 
established in the latter place and he became a very successful merchant. 
It was after this varied experience in the west that Mr. Lemon returned 
to his home in Indiana to claim his promised bride in Miss Hettie A. Miller, 
the daughter of Dr. A. Miller. The marriage of the young people was 
solemnized in Laporte, April 1, 1852. While in Indiana Mr. Lemon bought 
two hundred and fifty head of cattle and assisted by his brother, James M., 
who was financially interested in the undertaking, drove them across the 
plains to ' ireen Valley, the journey covering four months. The association 
of the brothers in the cattle business continued until May 1, 1856, when they 
bought out a stock of dry goods in Suisun and conducted a general store 
until 1861. After the dissolution of the partnership John B. Lemon became 
interested in the buying and selling of grain and wool, and ultimately became 
known as one of the largest dealers in wool in Solano county. An honor 
was conferred upon him in 1857, when he was made the first postmaster 
of Suisun. an office which he filled efficiently for four years. Other honors 
of a public nature were conferred upon him when, on the Democratic ticket. 



624 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

he was elected to the office of county treasurer of Solano county, serving 
in this capacity for five terms of two years each. On account of advancing 
years Mr. Lemon has relinquished his activities along all lines to a considerable 
extent, his interest however remaining the same as in years past, when as 
a young man he entered heart and soul into many affairs, both of a public 
and private nature. Until 1911 he was known as one of the largest cattle and 
sheep ranchers in the county, but he has since disposed of the cattle and sheep 
interests. 

On coming to Fairfield Mr. Lemon built the residence which is still 
the family home, owning a whole block on the corner of Texas and Taylor 
street's. Set in the midst of an entire block, it is surrounded by beautiful 
trees and shrubs, and altogether is one of the finest estates in the city. 
Besides this he owns two ranches, one of five hundred acres in Solano 
county, and the other of six hundred and thirty acres in Napa county, both 
devoted to stock-raising and leased to tenants. He also owns twelve valuable 
lots in Fairfield, also two choice lots on Texas street. 

The first marriage of Mr. Lemon resulted in the birth of three children, 
of whom the eldest, H. Jennie, became the wife of John W. Warboys of Santa 
Rosa, where they now live with their three children, John, Irene and 
Josephine. Mamie E. Lemon is still at home with her father in Fairfield. 
Dennie M. Lemon became the wife of Edwin Chadbourne, by whom she had 
two sons. Mr. Chadbourne died in 1909 and in 1910 his widow became the 
wife of Leonard Lambert, formerly of Oregon, and now a resident of Suisun 
Valley. The present Mrs. Lemon was in maidenhood Miss Mary Kean, who 
was born in Greenville, Mercer county, Pa., April 18, 1845, the daughter of 
Aaron and Mary E. (Mullener) Kean. Miss Kean first became the wife of 
Dr. L. B. Garrison, and after his death was united with W. H. Sturr, and 
some time after his death she became the wife of Mr. Lemon. Both of her 
two children are deceased. From 1864 to 1868 she was chief matron of the 
post hospital at Madison, Wis., where her noble service won merited praise, 
and as a partial compensation for her services so faithfully rendered during 
the Civil War she has been granted a pension by the government. She 
officiated as an officer of the Woman's Relief Corps at Suisun for three 
years, for two years was president of that organization, and at present she 
is connected with the Veteran's Club at Pacific Grove, and a member of 
Fairchild Circle No. 25, Ladies of the G. A. R., at that place. In mentioning 
Mrs. Lemon's many interests in matters of a public nature, all has not 
been told until mention has been made of her artistic ability. Many fine 
oil paintings which adorn the walls of her home have been produced by her 
skill and many of her friends have also been favored with paintings which 
they highly prize. Now in his eighty-seventh year, Mr. Lemon in retrospect 
looks back over sixty-two years passed in the Golden State, and he takes 
pride in the fact that he was one of the early pioneers who with prophetic 
vision saw her possibilities and lived to see many of his hopes for her future 
realized. 



WALTER TRUMPLER. 

Switzerland has contributed to the maintenance of America by sending 
her best and noblest sons to these shores, where they make good citizens and 
strong supporters of every national institution. This applies to Walter 
Trumpler, who was born in Canton Zurich, Switzerland, in 1846, and was 
reared in the home of his parents and given an education in the common 
schools. He learned the trade of painter and pursued it in his native land for 
some time. Hearing of the splendid opportunities to be had in America he 
determined to try his fortune in the land of which he had heard so much. In 



HISTORY OF SOLAXO AND XAPA COUNTIES 625 

1867, in spite of family protests, he came to America and at once proceeded to 

California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. For some time after his arrival 
in San Francisco he plied his trade in that city, but deciding that an out-of- 
doors life was to Ik- preferred, he came to St. Helena in 1881 and at once 
settled on a farm. I lis attention was attracted to the peculiar quality of the 

soil and the admirable climate <^i this section of the state, which combined to 
make it a tine grape producing center and he concentrated his energies upon 
thi'- industry. Of the eighty acres of land which he owned thirty were in 
vineyard, and on this holding he proceeded to the culture of grapes and the 
manufacture of wine, after improving the place with buildings and winery. 
This he continued until his decease. March 24. 1 ( >08. and now his widow 
carries on the industry and the ranch. 

Mr. Trumpler was married in 1879 in San Francisco, Cal., to Anna Buchli, 
a native of Graubunden. Switzerland, whose father. Christian Buchli, came 
to California in 1873 and settled in Sonoma county, where he ranched for 
many years. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Trumpler: 
Rosa. Martin, Walter and Hans. The good name and the high-grade business 
established by Mr. Trumpler continues in the lives of his widow and her 
children and there are many in the county who bear testimony to the sterling 
worth of the one who has ended his life work, but whose memory is still green. 



JOHN ALVIN KERR. 

The mayor of Dixon. John Alvin Kerr, is one who has, for a long time, 
been intimately connected with every plan for the development and progress 
of his home town. Public spirited and patriotic, trusted by his fellow citizens, 
he holds office as their chief executive in a creditable and worthy manner, 
both to himself and to the community. Mr. Kerr comes of worthy parentage, 
his ancestors being among the pioneers, not only of the far west, but also 
of the middle west and of the eastern states. Thus he has inherited those 
rugged and stalwart qualities which are as necessary to the success of the 
modern business man as of the early pioneer. His father, John Kerr, was 
born in Utica. N. Y.. in 1825. the son of William Kerr, a native of Scotland. 
He was reared and educated in his native state and when a boy began work 
on the Erie canal. When grown to manhood he became a bridge contractor 
and constructed a number of bridges on the Erie Railroad, but subsequently 
went to Wisconsin, where he followed farm pursuits for a time. He was 
very successful in business ventures, but in 1860 disposed of his interests, and, 
following his inclination to go still farther west, he came to California by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama. Arriving in the spring of 1870, he bought a 
quarter section of land in Tremont township, Solano county. After residing 
there for three years, during which time he raised considerable grain, he sold 
his farm and went to Sacramento, where he engaged in teaming and contract 
work for a couple of years. Returning to Solano county, Mr. Kerr again took 
up grain raising, this time in the vicinity of Davisville. and was so engaged 
the following eight years. The business proving profitable he purchased 
another farm of eighty acres west of Dixon, known as the Baker ranch, and 
although he planted an extensive vineyard he never realized anything from it, 
preferring to raise stock and grain, which, at that time, proved more profitable. 
He took an active part in church and fraternal work in the community, being 
a member of the Presbyterian Church, and of the Masonic Lodge. His death 
occurred January 27. 1891. His wife. Luvenia A. Greive, to whom he was 
married in Wisconsin, was also of Scottish descent. Her parents, Robert and 
Eliza (Sercombe) Greive, upon emigrating from their native country settled 
first in Canada, but a little later settled in Wisconsin. At that early day 
few white settlers were to be seen in that state, and Mr. Greive followed 



626 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

hunting and trapping. In 1852 he crossed the plains to the west, still follow- 
ing his favorite occupation as hunter, trapper and trader for a few years, and 
in 1864 he returned to Wisconsin for his family. Returning to California he 
settled in Solano county upon the land owned today by George McCann, and 
it was there that both he and his wife spent the closing years of their lives. 
They reared a large family of children, whose names are John A., William W., 
George W., Robert B., Edwin R., Thomas J., Walter S., Charles S., Helen M., 
Albert N., Luvenia Ann and Isabelle M. 

John Alvin Kerr was born in Rock county, Wis., September 26, 1860, and 
is one of a family of three children, having had two sisters. Mary Eliza 
became the wife of Asa F. Hyde, and Luvenia Ann married George N. Weldon 
and is now deceased. After gaining the education afforded by the district 
schools of Wisconsin and of California, John A. Kerr attended the Sacra- 
mento high school and various private schools. He began his career at an 
early age and in partnership with George Greive he rented three hundred and 
twenty acres of land and began raising grain, but a little later he branched 
out alone, renting ranches until he was able to purchase. He took up grain 
raising on a large scale, having fifteen hundred acres in wheat and barley. 
To harvest his crop he had all the necessary horses and machines and em- 
ployed a large number of men each season. He also had a dairy of forty cows, 
comprising both Durhams and Jerseys. On his alfalfa ranch, Mr. Kerr has 
been the instigator and promoter of various enterprises in his section, among 
them the Dixon Canning Company and the Dixon Creamery, of which he is 
president. In 1909 he leased the creamery and is now conducting the same 
on his own account. This is a well appointed plant, equipped with modern 
machinery and all appliances necessary for producing a first-class output. 
His specialty is the Dixon creamery butter, which is made in large quantities, 
and last year brought an income of $60,000. In connection with the creamery 
Mr. Kerr conducts a commission business in eggs and poultry, handling all 
of the eggs and poultry shipped out of the city. In addition to these many 
pursuits he owns a fine grain ranch of two hundred and forty acres four miles 
from town, and twenty acres of fine alfalfa land adjoining Dixon. 

Mr. Kerr was united in marriage with Miss Fanny Stone Coleman, born 
near Dixon, the daughter of the late Napoleon B. S. Coleman, prominent in 
the early history of California. He was born in Woodford, Ky., in 1831, and 
had the advantage of the superior education granted by the colleges of Louis- 
ville, Ky. He afterwards went to Jackson, Mo., where until 1853 he engaged 
in the commission business with J. F. McCauley. In that year he was one 
of a company who purchased two thousand head of cattle and drove them to 
California, arriving September 13, 1853. Proceeding directly to Sacramento, 
they sold out at a fair profit and Mr. Coleman opened a store in that vicinity 
and was also interested in mining with his brother, J. W. Coleman, until 
1859. In that year he came to Solano county, purchased a ranch and in time 
acquired one thousand acres. It was upon this farm that he died, having 
retired from active business in 1872. In Sacramento he married Martha J. 
Kelley and the following children Avere born to them : Martha J., Eugene F., 
Alvin L., John W., Fanny S., Napoleon B. S., Mattie S., Lulu M. and Cyn- 
thia E. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have two children : Luvenia and Alvin Coleman. 

In addition to holding the office of mayor, which Mr. Kerr has most 
Avorthilv done for the past twelve years, he has served as chairman of the 
school board and as school trustee for a number of years, and is also president 
of the Dixon Club. Politically he is affiliated with the Republican party, being 
a member of the Republican county central committee. The town of Dixon, 
which has been incorporated since 1877, has flourished and prospered during 
Mr. Kerr's administration. It contains many modern improvements, has 
good streets, churches and schools, fine shade trees on both residence and 



HISTORY OF Sol. \\o WD NAPA COUNTIES 629 

business streets, and is supplied with water works and electric lights. It is 
in the very midst of a prosperous community, surrounded on every side by 
broad grain and alfalfa fields and stock and fruit ranches and in every respect 
it is a most desirable location t'or a home. Mr. Kerr lias been largely instrn 
mental in the upbuilding <>\ the city of Dixon, and. together with bis wife and 
family, enjoys the highest regard and esteem <>\ the community. He stands 
foremost among the substantial, successful and influential citizens of Solano 
county. 



EPHREM VORBE. 

The loyalty of the citizens of Napa county is a well establisbed fact and 
were it not for this pride and loyalty so rampant in the hearts of its citizens, 
the far-famed beautiful county would lose half its charm. Natural beauty 
it lias in abundance, but the most striking - feature to the visitors' eyes is 
the appearance of cultivation and thrift so apparent on every hand. One 
of these best known ranches, superbly located on the western slope of N'apa 
mountain, is the abiding place of Ephrem Yorbe, who was born in Doubs, 
France, in March, 1840. He remained there until his college days were over 
and at the age of nineteen, set out for the new world, well equipped to take 
a responsible position, for he had not only had a substantial college course, 
but had been graduated from a business college as well. 

Mr. Yorbe's trip to this country was not without its adventures, and one 
less courageous would have been disappointed in the undertaking. After 
reaching New York and investigating the best route to the west he decided 
that a trip by water was less hazardous than crossing the plains with ox 
team, stories of the horrors of which had come to his ears. It was his 
plan after crossing the Isthmus of Panama to go north to San Francisco. 
His plans were delayed however, for upon reaching the coast of Florida, the 
vessel ran onto a rock on one of the small islands which detained him 
for eight days. After this period of rest, the vessel again set sail for San 
Francisco, arriving there without further mishap. Forty years is a long 
period to spend in one city, but such was the time spent by Mr. Vorbe, 
during twenty-five of which he held the amenable and lucrative position of 
teller and subsequently cashier of the old Swiss-American Bank of San 
Francisco. When the bank liquidated, and realizing that the confinement 
and close work was telling upon his constitution, he entered in the real estate 
business. 

It was in San Francisco that Mr. Yorbe was united in marriage with Miss 
I.. Geniller, one of his country-women, and two children were born of their 
union. Louise and Marie. Louise is the wife of Auguste Vorbe and the 
mother of five children, George. Leonie, Raymond, Louise and Rene. After 
the death of his first wife Mr. Vorbe married Adele Gensoul, a native daughter 
of California, and two children were born of their marriage, Julia and Louis, 
the first-mentioned still at home, and the latter attending Heald's Business 
College. 

A brother of our subject, Joseph F. Vorbe, came to California in 1850 by 
way of Cape Horn and became a large property owner in San Francisco, 
being one of the early upbuilders of that metropolis. When he retired from 
active business he purchased a ranch in Wildhorse valley, locating upon it 
in 1881 and at once beginning its improvement. The ranch is now being 
kept up by his two nieces. Mrs. A. Vorbe and Marie Vorbe, who own the 
place. It is known as St. George vineyard and farm and is beautifully located 
on Mt. St. George, overlooking the beautiful Xapa valley and commanding a 
view of San Francisco bay and from which that metropolis can be seen with 
the naked eye on a clear day, a distance of about fifty miles. Joseph F. Vorbe 



630 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

died in June, 1896, well known and much respected, particularly among 
pioneers. 

After living the strenuous life for sixty years and being amply remuner- 
ated for his arduous toil, Ephrem Vorbe cast his lot with the retired men and 
settled down in Napa county, where with his daughter he resides on St. 
George ranch of seven hundred acres, enjoying the peace that is his due. Of 
this seven hundred acres, there is meadow and pasture land where from 
thirty to sixty head of cattle and horses are kept ; fifty acres are in vineyards, 
the wine being made in their own winery. Although essentially American, 
jVIr. Vorbe and family are all of the French Catholic faith. He has a pleasing- 
personality, and many of the sterner qualities that denote the man of char- 
acter, which have won for him the respect and admiration of a host of friends. 



CALVIN C. GRIFFITH. 

Well at the head of the roster of pioneers and influential early citizens of 
Napa valley stands the name of Calvin C. Griffith. He came to California 
at the early age of fifteen, in the year 1845, and from that time until his death, 
which occurred in 1907, he took an active part in the thrilling events which 
transformed this western country from the uncultivated state of the early days 
to its present prosperous condition. His were not only the hardships of 
wresting his livelihood from hitherto uncultivated soil, but he fought as well 
with the Indians and engaged in the Mexican war. 

The birth of Calvin C. Griffith took place in 1830, in Chatham county, 
N. C. ; he was the worthy son of worthy parents, his father being descended 
from an old Welsh family and his mother coming from an old English family, 
of the name of Rogers. His father, James A. Griffith, was the son of Mason 
Griffith, who served honorably in the Revolutionary war. In 1835 the' family 
moved to Macon county, Mo., and engaged in farming and stock-raising. 
Ten years later, in 1845, they started for Oregon. Their intended destina- 
tion was not reached, for, while en route, they met a man at Fort Hall, Mr. 
Greenwood by name, who so thrilled them with tales of the wealth and oppor- 
tunities of California that they were dissuaded from their original intentions, 
and left the Oregon trail, together with others of their party, to go to Cali- 
fornia, under the guidance of Mr. Greenwood. This was an historic party, 
it being the first successful train that brought wagons over the Sierra Ne- 
vadas, and included such men as Hudson, York, and many others now well 
known in the pioneer history of California. This train picked up the remnants 
of the Donner party and brought them from their perilous position in the 
mountain fastness. Johnson's ranch, the first point in the Sacramento valley, 
was reached October 17, 1845, and they immediately pushed on to Sutter's 
Fort to get a supply of fresh provisions. The Sacramento river was crossed 
on rafts on November 1st, and the Griffith family came to Napa valley, where 
the father rented a portion of the Yount ranch. The outbreak of the Mexican 
war shortly after, however, disturbed all plans, and the family was forced to 
take refuge at Sonoma, where they became a part of the famous Bear Flag 
party. The bravery and daring of the boy, which had become evident on the 
journey, now came to the forefront and he enlisted and became a volunteer 
under General Fremont and saw active service for one year. He was present 
at the occupation of Los Angeles and later at San Gabriel. In the spring of 
1847 he Avas honorably discharged and returned to Sonoma. During the war 
he served first in the company commanded by Captain Hastings, and then 
was transferred at Monterey to that of Captain Sears and in the south to 
Captain Hudspeth. 

On returning to Sonoma Mr. Griffith engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing. After the murder of Kelsey Stone, Mr. Griffith and Ben Moore were 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 631 

sent up to Clear Lake, in Lake county, to look after the cattle. There- they 
had some very exciting and thrilling adventures with the Indians who had 
committed this atrocious murder. Returning to Xapa valley in 1853. Mr. 
fifith fanned near St. Helena until 1856 and then went to Sonoma county, 
where he engaged in farming- until 1871. when he again returned to Napa 
valley and bought land near Rutherford. This property he sold in 1883 and 
purchased land on the eastern edge of the valley, where he and his family 
lived for many years. Here his demise occurred June 12. 1907. For four 
years he held the public office ^i roadmaster of District No. .6, having forty- 
five miles of road under his charge. 

Mr. Griffith was married September 6. 1855, to Miss Lydia Sensibaugh, 
of St. Helena, whose father was Col. Robert Sensibaugh, a pioneer of Cali- 
fornia, and whose mother was the daughter of Enoch Hudson, the father of 
the well-known family oi that name in Lake county. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith 
became parents of ten children, of whom five are living, as follows: Oliver C. ; 
Alice M.. Mrs. F. \V. Loeber ; Clara A.. Mrs. W. H. Taplin ; Albert G., and 
[esse. Mr. Griffith is survived by his widow, who makes her home in St. 
Helena, where she is surrounded by her children and grandchildren, as well 
as bv her many friends, who honor and love her for her amiable qualities and 
charitable deeds. 



HON. WALTER B. GRIFFITHS. 

The advent of an able and conscientious representative of the people is 
hailed with deep appreciation, for the injustice and dissatisfaction arising from 
the election of a self-centered and unscrupulous envoy has been felt by more 
than one helpless state. With direct legislation, however, the power of the 
people is indeed supreme, and it is to Mr. Griffiths, who by his earnest efforts 
was largely responsible for the passage of this protective measure, that the 
people of Napa county turn in gratitude and admiration. 

Traced back four generations, the ancestry of Mr. Griffiths reveals the 
fact that his great great grandfather was a large land owner of Wales, and a 
man far ahead of his time in both thought and action. An incident proving 
his progressive spirit occurred when, upon learning of an invention whereby 
the labor in his grain fields might be lightened, he secured a harvester which 
he attempted to use on his farm, but which, by the astounded and narrow- 
minded neighbors, who believed it to be an implement from the workshop of 
the Devil, was actually destroyed by fire, its owner being forced to gaze upon 
its ruin with a calm which he was far from feeling. 

Charles Griffiths, the son of this Welshman, was born in Michigan. When 
a young man he went into the steamboat business and for twenty-two years 
owned and operated passenger boats running from New Orleans to St. Louis. 
During the gold fever he sold out and came across the plains with mule 
teams, in 1850, locating in Sacramento, where he established a hotel which 
he conducted successfully for years. In connection with his hostelry he also 
conducted a bakery and confectionery store. He was also a shareholder in 
the first steamer that was built for the Sacramento river run. From Sacra- 
mento he moved to San Francisco. His death occurred in 1881. 

George W. Griffiths, the son of Charles and the father of Walter B. Grif- 
fiths, was born in Detroit. Mich., and came to California in 1851, when a young 
man. To him was granted the honor of reading the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence upon the occasion of the first Fourth of July celebration ever held 
in Sacramento. For a time he farmed in Sacramento county, whence he re- 
moved to the southern part of the state, where he and his sons successfully 
operated eight thousand acres, including land in the counties of Orange, Ven- 
tura and Los Angeles. Upon disposing of his interest he established in Covina 



632 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the Griffiths Bros. Milling Company. In 1908 he relaxed his efforts in the 
busy world of commerce and retired to a small but highly improved ranch 
near Napa, where he now resides. His wife, formerly Elizabeth Moore, was 
also born in Michigan, and passed away several years ago at the family home 
in Fairview, Orange county, Cal. Her father, Charles Edwin Moore, a 
pioneer of Michigan, brought his family to Petaluma, Sonoma county, Cal., 
where he engaged in horticulture, later operating a stock ranch in San Benito 
county, and in 1908, at the age of eighty years, took up his residence in Hol- 
lister, Cal. 

Walter B. Griffiths was the youngest of five children and was born in 
Humboldt county, Cal., July 6, 1875. He received his education in the public 
schools, Cogswell College, San Francisco, and in Santa Ana Business College. 
In October, 1901, after disposing of his interests in Southern California, he 
located in Napa county, leasing the Coleman ranch of seven thousand acres, 
of which he planted twelve hundred acres to grain. He also owns several high 
grade horses and a number of cattle. In 1906 he purchased two hundred 
acres three miles from Napa, upon which he set out a prune orchard covering 
forty-two acres. Sub-dividing the ranch in ten and twenty-acre tracts, he 
sold it at a good profit, retaining sixty-two acres for a home place which he 
has since highly developed. 

In 1908 Napa county unanimously nominated Mr. Griffiths as a candi- 
date for the Assembly, to which he was elected by a heavy majority. The 
following year he served in the thirty-eighth as well as two special sessions, 
and in 1910, having been elected, entered service in the thirty-ninth session, 
serving in two extra sessions. Mr. Griffiths' earnest efforts in behalf of the 
people whom he was chosen to represent proved to them the wisdom of 
their selection. Largely through his influence the bill for the abolition of 
race tracks was passed. Also, as above mentioned, direct legislationists are 
indebted to Mr. Griffiths for his endeavors in behalf of the establishment of 
that measure. No man in the county has done more than he for public wel- 
fare, and his name throughout the state is synonymous with good government 
and high, manly principles. 



EDWARD F. HOGAN. 

The popular manager of the Napa Opera House, E. F. Hogan, is a native 
of Napa, his birth occurring in this city in 1870. He is a descendant of a 
family of pioneers, his father, Peter A. Hogan, having come here in 1865, 
and his mother, Nancy A. Crowey, is a daughter of George W. Crowey, who 
came into the valley in 1852, and was one of the first settlers. He ranched 
many years on the Napa Soda Springs road, and the old ranch is still owned 
by the family. Ed. F. Hogan has charge of the ranch of one thousand acres 
of as fine grazing land as can be found in the county, and on it there is a 
herd of two hundred and fifty cattle, as well as a vineyard. Educated in the 
Napa Collegiate Institute, he has grown into the progressive spirit of this 
place and is an active worker for its development and advancement. 

Mr. Hogan is the manager of the Napa Opera House, which was built 
by his grandfather Crowey in 1880 and is the largest as well as leading the- 
ater in the city. In 1909 he was elected city trustee of Napa for a four-year 
term, being elected from the fourth ward. A progressive man, he has always 
taken an active part in the politics of the county and country, and as a mem- 
ber of the Democratic central committee he has done much to forward the 
interests of the people of Napa county. He believes that the people should 
be the rulers of their country and that the moneyed class should not monop- 
olize the land or the industries of those who rightly deserve an interest in the 
same. Mr. Hogan is a member of Napa Lodge, B. P. O. E. 



Hj 




' 






aX^i2V^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND \ \r \ COUNTIES 635 

AMBROSE BURNS HOLDRIDGE. 

\ well-known horticulturist of Solano is Ambrose B. Holdridge, who was 
born in New London county, Conn., in 1838, the son of Randol Holdridge, 
who served in the Mexican war. and his paternal grandfather was a participant 

in the warm' 1812. As a boy Mr. Holdridge received such educational advan 
tages as the time ami place afforded and at the age of fifteen he went to sea. 
ami during the eighteen months he was on board ship he fished extensively 
between Havana ami Key West. At eighteen years of age he left home 
permanently, subsequently embarking on a vessel destined for the Isthmus. 
Ins intention being to come to California. The vessel on which he came up 
the Pacific was very crowded, having about twenty-five hundred passengers 
on board and after a trip <>i twenty-one days the boat finally landed in San 
Francisco in 1858. Passengers had to pay 87 per day for room and board. 
\fter arriving in San Francisco Mr. Holdridge went to Sacramento and did 
odd jobs for a while and later drove a four-horse team for a freighter and 
also ran a threshing machine in Xapa valley and also the Sacramento valley. 
Saving his money he bought a team and commenced operations for himself, 
freighting between Sacramento and Auburn, Nevada City and Grass Valley. 
This he continued from 1858 until 1867. In the latter year he came to Dixon. 
and bought a quarter section of land for which he paid $5,500. and on which 
he now resides. He added to his original purchase until he owned seven and 
a half quarter sections in one body and lying about four miles from Dixon. 
However, he has given each of his children a farm and now has six quarter 
sections which he is operating, making a specialty of stock-raising and of 
raising grain and alfalfa. 

Mr. Holdridge was married in 1867 to Mary P. Hall, a native of New- 
York who came to California with her parents in 1853 across the plains. In 
1854 they started on the return trip east on the Yankee Blade, which was 
wrecked, after which they determined to remain in California. Three children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holdridge. Richard A., Ida M. and Mary Maud. 
Richard A., a farmer near Dixon, married Anna Brown; Ida M. became the 
wife of C. Collier, a farmer near Dixon ; Mary Maud is the wife of Robert 
Collier, and they reside at Tremont. Politically Mr. Holdridge is a Republi- 
can. He is proud of the fact that his first vote was cast in favor of Abraham 
Lincoln in 1860. He has voted in twelve presidential elections. Mr. Hold- 
ridge makes the statement that he has been off his ranch for only one month 
during the last forty-five years and he considers his present surroundings 
practically ideal. The family was bereaved by the death of the wife and 
mother March 1. 1899, husband and children as well as her many friends 
deeply mourning her loss. 



TAMPS ST. CLAIR GARNETT. 

One of the prominent pioneers of California was James S. Garnett, and 
a perusal of his life shows much of interest in connection with the early days 
in this state. He came to California in the days when the trip across the 
continent was beset with dangers and perils and when life west of the 
Rockies was full of hardship and struggle. Realizing this, and yet undaunted, 
he sought to make his fortune here and preferred a rugged life to one of more 
and luxury. That he possessed those inherent qualities and character- 
istics which count for success under such conditions is eminently proven. 

Mr. Garnett was born in Ralls county. Mo.. May 23. 1831. His father. 
James Richard Garnett. was a native of Kentucky.' and his mother, Eliza 
(Parker i Garnett. of Missouri, lie spent his early boyhood attending the 
public schools of his native state and working during the vacation seasons 



636 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

on the farm. Thus he attained manhood, and by industry and thrift saved his 
earnings, as he was ambitious to succeed and realized the value of money in 
any undertaking. Being enterprising and daring he was glad to take the trip 
across the country to California, driving cattle across the plains and moun- 
tains, when his half-brother, W. T. Cleaver, gave him this opportunity. Mr. 
Cleaver had come to California in 1849 and engaged in mining with fair 
success. Seeing the other resources of this country, he decided to go into 
the stock business and after purchasing some cattle in Salt Lake City, drove 
them to California, selling them out in the fall of 1851. Thereafter he re- 
turned to Missouri, purchased four hundred head of cattle, and offered Mr. 
Garnett what appeared to the young man to be a fabulous sum to help drive 
them across the plains in the spring and summer of 1852. 

Their first stopping place was at the present site of Silveyville. At that 
early date not a tree was to be found in that neighborhood, but the land was 
excellent for grazing purposes and one frequently saw large numbers of 
antelope grazing there. Elk were also numerous and the hills abounded 
with deer and bear. For eighteen months after his arrival Mr. Garnett 
worked for Mr. Cleaver for $50 per month. At the end of that time, having 
accumulated $1,600, he purchased one-half interest in his half-brother's herd 
of cattle, giving his note for $8,000. He then pre-empted a claim of govern- 
ment land and as the business prospered he made additional purchases until 
he acquired six hundred and forty acres more. Later on he added to this 
until he was the owner of about fifty-two hundred and forty acres, besides 
owning farms in Glenn, Colusa, Napa, Yolo and Sacramento counties. 

The first winter spent on his land was a rough one and they endured 
many inconveniences and hardships. Purchasing lumber in Sacramento, 
they hauled it out to the claim and erected a shanty ten feet square, in which 
the stored barley to sow when the season opened. The many discomforts 
of pioneer life were endured cheerfully, for with keen foresight Mr. Garnett 
could see great possibilities for the future. His most sanguine hopes were 
realized, but not without misfortune, as he with others lost heavily in the 
great drought of 1864. Undaunted, in time he built many substantial build- 
ings on his ranch, planted shade and fruit trees and turned his attention to 
raising grain. One season alone Mr. McCune and Mr. Garnett threshed 
eighteen thousand five hundred sacks from one thousand acres of land, and 
their barley yielded about fifty bushels to the acre. Mr. Garnett further im- 
proved his property by fencing in all the land and subsequently went into 
the sheep business with Senator H. E. McCune, and together they raised 
from two to three thousand lambs per season. He also raised the best breeds 
of cattle, horses and mules. He was associated with Senator McCune in 
stock raising and many business enterprises from the early '60s until the 
time of his death. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Dixon in 
1873 and served as a director until his death. 

Mr. Garnett was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Marksbury, 
a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of John and Mary Neat (Rice) Marks- 
bury. Her parents were both natives of Kentucky and descended from Ger- 
man and Irish ancestry. When Mrs. Garnett was in her eighth year the 
family moved to Missouri and her home continued to be in that state until 
she attained the age of fourteen, when she came to California with her aunt, 
Mrs. H. E. McCune. She was persuaded to remain, and some time later 
married Mr. Garnett. Great credit is due her on account of her able assistance 
in furthering the interests of her husband, as well as in the rearing of a family 
of nine children. Barbara A., now deceased, married J. Sweany and left one 
child, John B.; Hagar E. married Horace P. Tate and has one child. Neat; 
William H. married Kate Miller and has two children, lone and Catherine; 
James R. married Minnie Doty and they have six children, Frank, Gladys, 



HISTORY OF SOI. \\o AND NAPA COUNTIES 637 

Rena, fohn, Raymer and Margaret; J. Neat married Eva ECeeran and has one 
daughter, Ida May; [da L. married William Foster; Mary St. Clair married 

Dr. William F. Cheney and they have three children. Fitch. Garnett and 
Margaret; Margaret T. is deceased; Muscoe S.. now deceased, married Irma 
Green, who became the mother of one child. Janus St. Clair. 

In fraternal circles Mr. Garnett was a Mason, a member of Silveyville 
Lodge No. 201, 1 •'. & A. M.. and Dixon Chapter, R. A. M., and with his wife 
was a member of the Eastern Star. Politically Mr. Garnett was an unswerv- 
ing Democrat, but never sought office, though he was elected by his party as 
a candidate tor state senator. In 1880 Mr. and Mrs. Garnett retired from 
farm life and purchased the Dr. Gordon residence in Dixon, where they re- 
sided until the close ^\ their useful and active lives. This residence is sur- 
rounded by well kept grounds and is one of the attractive places in Dixon. 
Mr. Garnett's demise occurred in February. 1909, his wife having died about 
one year previously. 



JOHN L. ROWLEY. 

Although a young man with many years before him, John L. Rowley has 
already shown himself capable of achieving success from the way he has 
managed his ranch. He is a native of Capell valley. Napa county, born Sep- 
tember 27. 1874. a son of George W. and Martha H. (Loftis) Rowley. The 
former came to California via the Isthmus in 1860, and the latter, a native of 
Arkansas, came with her parents across the plains while an infant, the family 
locating in Solano county. John L. Rowley has one sister, Lily R.. the wife 
of L. C. Carden. a native of Tennessee: with their two children, Merle W. 
and Loleta. they reside in Oakland. 

In 1909 Mr. Rowley bought the old place of his parents, consisting of 
one hundred and fifty acres, of which sixty-five acres are under cultivation, 
four acres in alfalfa and the balance in hay and pasture. He keeps a few 
cattle and horses for domestic use. Mr. Rowley married Orinda Sprague, a 
native of Maine, and they have one daughter, Lilian O. Politically he is .a 
Republican. 



GLTDO MARSILI. 

Probably one of the most productive fruit ranches is that managed by 
Guido Marsili. called the Goldstein ranch, on the Dry Creek road. But the 
fertility of the soil and the suitability of the climate would not count for very 
much if he did not exert his best efforts to assist nature in the production of 
fruit and grapes. To make a ranch of this size pay, requires not only hard 
work, but also brains of the best quality and a love of the life in the out-of- 
doors. Mr. Marsili possesses all these qualities, and it was expected that he 
would succeed when he first undertook the lease of the ranch. 

Guido Marsili was born in San Francisco, in the year 1878, a son of 
Joseph Marsili, who came to California in the early days, making the long 
and trying trip around the Horn to San Francisco. For many years Joseph 
Marsili ran a draying business there and he is now living retired in that city. 
His son. Guido Marsili, assisted him. after receiving his education in his 
native place, and then in 1899 the young man came to Napa county, where 
he worked in the fruit business for two years, returning to San Francisco at 
the end of this time. Not satisfied with life in the city he returned to Napa 
county in 1908 and rented the Goldstein ranch of four hundred and thirty 
acres, one of the largest and most productive ranches in the county, which 
he operated until November 1. Y)\\. when his father took a lease and now our 



638 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

subject is managing the place for him. The ranch contains forty acres of 
apples, forty acres of French prunes, seventy-five acres of peaches, ten acres 
of Japanese plums, forty acres of pears, twenty acres of egg and goldendrop 
plums and one acre each of quinces and almonds. The balance is devoted 
to raising grain ; the best red oat hay in the valley being raised on his ranch. 
There are also several fine springs on the place. 

Mr. Marsili was married in San Francisco in 1904 to Josephine Gallieaz- 
zie, a native of France, and they have two children, Rose and Louis. Mr. and 
Mrs. Marsili are among the most progressive people of the valley and are well 
esteemed and respected by all who know them. 



JOHN HEIN. 

Of German birth and parentage, Mr. Hein was born in Prussia in 1831. 
When he was twelve years of age he came with his parents to the United 
States, the family settling in Chicago. When he had resided there ten years, 
in 1852 Mr. Hein started for California. He set sail on the vessel Tennessee, 
which was wrecked off the coast of California, but the passengers were all 
safely landed and Mr. Hein remained in the state for several years. In 1856 
he went to Minnesota and engaged in the trade of plumber and tinner, and for 
ten years he made his home in Carver, that state. 

Mr. Hein's. first marriage occurred in Minnesota and two children were 
born, Elizabeth and Peter J., both of Napa. Mr. Hein's second marriage was 
with Sophia Falkum, and in 1866 he and his wife came to Napa, Cal., where he 
engaged in the hardware business. Mrs. Sophia Hein passed away in Napa, 
leaving two children, as follows: George A., a musician in the United States 
army, and Charles, a resident of San Francisco. In 1869 Mr. Hein returned 
to Minnesota and was married in Traverse de Sioux to Miss Kate Herkelrath, 
who was born in Bavaria, Germany, the daughter of John and Barbara (Baum) 
Herkelrath, who came to the United States in 1848 and settled in Belleville, 
111. From there they went to Minnesota in 1855, and in the schools of that 
state Mrs. Hein was educated, and later taught school for some years. She 
recalls experiences of the Sioux massacre, when the Indians massacred and 
killed about five hundred of the citizens. Of the nine children born of Mr. 
Hein's third marriage two died in infancy and of the others we mention the 
following: Frederick A., a builder in Napa, married Nellie Maynard ; Mark 
H., also a resident of Napa, married Jessie Peiratte ; John H. resides in Browns 
valley; Benjamin F. in Napa; William R. and Mayme are deceased; and 
Katrina is a bookkeeper in San Francisco. 

Mr. Hein purchased a tract of timber land in the redwoods consisting of 
three hundred and eighty acres opposite Castle Rock. After clearing and im- 
proving the place he set out an orchard and vineyard and resided on the place 
until he returned to Napa, and here his death occurred March 29, 1906. In 
her own right the widow owns a ranch of two hundred and fifty-five acres in 
the Napa redwoods, on the Browns valley road, about ten miles from Napa. 
This place is well improved with buildings, vineyards and orchards, and some 
of the land is in grain. Mrs. Hein now resides in Napa, where she is sur- 
rounded by her children and many friends, who esteem her for her many acts 
of charity and kindness and her many virtues. 

Mr. Hein was a public-spirited man, supporting such movements as made 
for the betterment of the community. He served for a number of years as 
school trustee, and earlier in life, during his residence in Minnesota, he acted 
in the capacity of road supervisor for several terms. Politically he was affil- 
iated with the Democratic party, firmly adhering to its tenets and principles. 




edwin a. Mc-donald 



HISTORY OF SOL \\'< I A.ND NAPA COUNTIES 641 

EDW l\ AUGUSTUS McDl >NALD. 

True devotion to duty springs from the qualities of courage and unself 
ishness, united with a conscientious endeavor to remain al all cost faithful 
to the charges committed to one's keeping. Loyal to his country, unto the 
end, the memory <>\ Edwin McDonald, who passed away in 1885, will not 
soon be forgotten l>y the many who appreciate his life's service. Horn in 
Brooklyn, X. Y.. in 1838, he was a son of John S. McDonald, who in early 
days served in the Tinted States navy as commodore's secretary, taking part 
in the War t>i 1812. Upon the completion of his education the son became an 
apprentice in the navy, later serving in the Civil war. In 1861 he was ap- 
pointed gunner by President Lincoln and in July of the same year he went 
out on the U. S. S. Louisiana from the Philadelphia navy yard, taking part 
in the Burnside expedition, and also having charge ^i ordnance in the sounds 
of North Carolina during the war. After the assassination of Lincoln he re- 
turned to the Brooklyn navy yard and in February, 1866, was transferred 
to the Mare Island navy yard. Here he had charge ^\ the magazine until 
ordered to sea in 1869. Returning after three years to Mare Island he resumed 
his position, his death taking place by accidental drowning in San Pablo bay 
in June, 1885. During his career he had many times narrowly escaped death 
and had saved many lives from the fate which in the end became his. 

Mr. McDonald was married in Rrooklyn, X. V.. in 1860, to Miss Letitia 
igrove oi that city. In I860 she joined her husband at Mare Island, but 
throughout their lives was forced to spend many weary months alone, com- 
forted by her children and the hope that some day. somewhere, their lost 
husband and father would be restored to them. At the time of his death she 
bravely bore up under the deep affliction, and has since quietly resided at 
her home in Vallejo. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McDonald: 
Edwin, who passed away in San Francisco at the age of thirty years; Eva M.. 
now Mrs. George Demmon of Vallejo; and Letitia A., who became the wife 
^\ W. II. Edwards of Yacaville. Mr. McDonald was a member of Solano 
Lodge No. 229. F. & A. M.. and as a Republican was deeply interested in all 
matters pertaining to the welfare of the nation. For the past forty years Mrs. 
McDonald has been an active member of Silver Star Chapter No. 3, O. E. S.. 
and is also a member of the Episcopal Church. 



HON. FRANK R. DEVLIN. 

The legal profession has an efficient representative in Frank R. Devlin 
of Vallejo. whose high position at the bar of California proves beyond ques- 
tion that he has made no mistake in the choice of a profession. A native of 
Canada, he was born in Windsor. Ontario, October 27, 1867, the son of Charles 
M. and Mary (Cotter) Devlin, the father following the occupation of locomo- 
tive engineer on various railroads in Canada until his death. Soon afterward, 
in 1870. the widow came to California with her family of five small children! 
locating with them in Vallejo, which has been her home ever since. As indic- 
ative of the superior character of the mother of these children, it may be said 
that while she was left with very limited means, and with her children young 
and uneducated, she made it her one object in life to educate them creditably 
and fit them by precept and example to meet the responsibilities of life which 
must come to them. 

In the public schools of Vallejo Frank R. Devlin received his first insight 
into books, and later, at the age of sixteen years, he graduated from the high 
school with the class of 1884. Even at this early age he had shown a prefer- 
ence for the study of law, but not seeing his way clear, and beins? desirous to 
30 & 



642 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

see something of the world and to save money so that he could study law, he 
enlisted in the United States navy, in which he held clerical positions for 
about six years. Under Captain Clark he was first assigned to duty on the 
survey ship Ranger, and later was transferred to the Dolphin as pay yeoman, 
under Paymaster J. H. Chapman. The Dolphin set sail for a trip around the 
world, the voyage consuming eleven months, during which time she entered 
many of the well-known ports of the world. Probably none of the crew prof- 
ited by the experience more than did Mr. Devlin, who made much of the op- 
portunity to study the customs of the various countries visited. His ship 
duties and the studies just mentioned left him little time for the perusal of his 
law books, but nevertheless the wider knowledge of men and affairs which he 
was gaining in the meantime was even of more importance to him ultimately 
than would have been his knowledge of the law without this practical experi- 
ence. 

At the end of his term of enlistment in the navy Mr. Devlin returned to 
California and took up the study of law in earnest in the law office of Hon. 
Henry Gesford in Napa, where he was admitted to the bar August 8, 1893. 
Equipped with his diploma and a thorough grounding in the profession which 
he had chosen for his life work, he went to Fairfield and opened an office, 
and from the first his ability was recognized and appreciated at its full worth. 
The year after locating in Fairfield he was honored with election to the office 
of district attorney by the Republican constituency, and the flattering major- 
ity which he received was ample evidence of the regard in which he was held 
by his fellow citizens. Knowing the honorable and straightforward charac- 
ter of the man from his earliest years, it is unnecessary to state that he acquit- 
ted himself nobly and honorably, and at the close of his first term of four years 
he was continued in the position by re-election. A third term was offered and 
urged upon him, but a desire to devote his time and efforts to his private 
practice made it necessary to decline the honor. The concentration of his 
abilities to private interests resulted in the building up of a large and lucra- 
tive practice, no one in Solano county claiming a larger or more influential 
clientele. 

It must not be inferred that Mr. Devlin withdrew his interest in the world 
about him in his retirement to private practice. On the contrary he was an 
active participant in all measures for the upbuilding of the town, county and 
state, and no citizen can be found who is more loyal to their interests. As an 
evidence of the regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens it is only 
necessary to mention the many offices which they have chosen him to fill as 
their representative. He was elected and served in the state legislature as a 
member of the assembly in the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh sessions, during 
the years 1905 and 1907, and two special sessions during this period. In 
November, 1908, he was elected superior judge of Solano county, taking office 
in January, 1909. This was probably the first time in the history of the state 
when a man was unanimously elected to this position for the first term. On 
account of the pressure of his practice, however, he was obliged to resign the 
judgeship. He was also the first state president of the Lincoln-Roosevelt 
League of Republican Clubs, the progressive element of the Republican party, 
and was chairman of the State Republican Convention held at San Francisco 
in the fall of 1910, this being the first state convention held after the adoption 
of the direct primary. At the present time he is a member of the state execu- 
tive committee of the Republican state central committee, and is the leading 
candidate in his district for the Republican nomination as member of congress. 
For over ten years, or from the date of its organization, he was president of 
the Chamber of Commerce, and much of the prosperity of the city is due 
directly to the guidance of this organization. He is also a director and vice- 
president of the First National Bank of Vallejo, while fraternally he is iden- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \M> NAPA COUNTIES 643 

tified with the Benevolenl and Protective Order of Elks, in which body he 
was the first exalted ruler of Vallejo Lodge No. 559, and was district deputy 

grand exalted ruler for northern California during tin' year 1 ( H)5. 

On June 11. l l) 02. a marriage ceremony united the lives of Frank R. 
Devlin and Agnes G. Erb, the daughter of the late John Erb of Napa. Three 

daughters have been horn of this marriage, as follows: Dorothy Ruth, eight 
years old : Doris Agnes, six: and Marion Erb, two years old. Mr. Devlin is 
one of the most widely known men in his community and his many sterling 
traits of character have won him a host of friends. 



WILL] \M KIMBALL HOYT. 

At least three centuries of American history have witnessed the identifi- 
cation of the Iloyt family therewith and the twentieth-century representatives 
oi the race exhibit the same devotion to duty and the same loyalty to country 
that characterized their progenitors of the eighteenth and nineteenth cen- 
turies. Xew England was the early home of the family. Micah Iloyt, born 
in Xew Hampshire in 1800. was the first of the name to leave that section of 
the country and he went no further west than the state of Xew York, where 
he died ^i heart failure at the age of forty-eighrt years. Surviving him until 
she had attained the age of seventy years was his wife. Jane West Page, a 
member ^i an eastern family, and a native of Fairfield. Vt.. where her son, 
William K.. was born August 7. 182°, and where he received a grammar- 
school education. At the age of sixteen years he accompanied the family to 
Xew York, spending three years in the city of that name and six years in 
the state, and meanwhile attending the Mechanics high school, Xew York 
City, also helping his father in a drug store and working in a law office. Later 
he traveled on the road through Xew Jersey, Connecticut, Canada and Xew 
York, after which for two years he took charge of a farm for an uncle and 
then took a course of study in the academy at Galway, Saratoga county, 
X. Y. December 26, 1851, he took passage on a vessel bound from Xew York 
for Panama and thence sailed up the Pacific ocean to San Francisco, where 
he landed February 3. 1852. On the following day he proceeded to Sacra- 
mento. Soon afterward he was taken seriously ill and it was not until four 
months later that he was able to ride again. 

After a service of two months as cook at a camp Mr. Hoyt engaged in 
placer mining on Spring flat in the fall of 1852 and located a mineral claim 
of two hundred acres, where he remained until the fall of 1859. From there 
he removed to Suisun, Solano county, and embarked in butchering. During 
the fall of 1863 he sold the meat market and went to the Savage mines at 
Austin. Xew. where the output of silver was sufficiently large to induce him 
to remain for two years. While there he voted for the new state constitution. 
On his return to Suisun in the autumn of 1865 he resumed management of 
his property at this place and in 1866 became superintendent of the Fairfield 
and Suisun water works. Two years later he resigned the position to devote 
his time to his grocery business at Suisun, where he continued in business for 
nine years. His next line of labor was as a carpenter in the erection of county 
bridges and similar work. After one year as the proprietor of a meat market 
he was elected county treasurer and tax collector, which positions he filled 
from 1880 until 1887. 

During several years spent in the state of Washington as a rancher Mr. 
Hoyt acquired a claim aggregating between eight hundred and one thousand 
acres of land and there he engaged in raising horses and cattle. While in 
Washington it became a state and he voted for the state constitution. Selling 
out in 180.3. he returned to California and settled at Fairfield, where he still 



644 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

makes his home. During the year of his return he bought the Suisun and 
Fairfield water works and operated the plant for some time. In 1906 he was 
elected justice of the peace and at the expiration of his time in 1910 he was 
re-elected to the office, which he fills with impartiality and ability. Mrs. 
Hoyt, whom he married in 1859, was Miss H. Elizabeth Hoyt, a native of 
Canada and a resident of California from the age of thirteen years until her 
death, March 25, 1906, at the family residence in Fairfield. For many years 
she taught in the Suisun schools and for the last seven years was principal 
of the Crystal school in that city. A woman of splendid mind and excellent 
education, she possessed unusual linguistic ability and was able to write and 
converse in French, German and Spanish, besides having a knowledge of the 
French classics attained by few of even the most learned educators. 

As early as 1851 Mr. Hoyt became a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows in Saratoga county, N. Y., and now he holds membership with 
Suisun Lodge, in which he has passed all of the chairs, and is one of the 
oldest surviving members of the order. In addition he is a pioneer Mason, 
now belonging to Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M., and holding the master's 
degree since 1857, also the chapter degree for the same period. During 1882 
he received the commandery degree and at present is officially connected with 
Vacaville Commandery, K. T. For about ten years he has served as a trustee 
of the school and as clerk of the board, in which capacity he has aided in pro- 
moting the welfare of the local schools. Other movements for the common 
welfare have received his enthusiastic support. To the limit of his financial 
ability he has stood ready to help progressive projects. His means and influ- 
ence have been used for the upbuilding of the community in which he long 
has been an honored citizen. 



HANS C. HANSEN. 

A native of Denmark, Hans C. Hansen was born at Eastbjorg, Jolland, 
June 22, 1868. With a knowledge of farming as conducted there, he came to 
America at the age of twenty-three and sought to adapt his knowledge in 
his new surroundings. On arriving in the United States in 1892 he came 
to California and located on the Brownlee ranch, Soscol district, Napa county, 
working for wages until he was able to rent the ranch for himself. For 
five years he rented this well-known ranch and cultivated the seven hun- 
dred acres in grain and raised a little stock. Going to Carneros creek he 
rented different ranches in that section, operating them successfully by 
using general farming methods, and in 1905 he rented his present place 
of four hundred acres on the Old Hill ranch in Soscol district. In addition 
to cultivating this place he farms another ranch of one hundred acres in 
the vicinity, growing wheat, oats and barley, and raising a few cattle, sheep 
and horses. He also has more than one hundred hogs. 

Mr. Hansen is a member of Napa Lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles. 
He was married in March, 1903, to Miss Emma Nelson, a native of Cali- 
fornia, born in Mendocino county, and they have two children, Norman 
and Russell. 



FREDERICK C. MALKMES. 

Careful attention to detail and unswerving honesty have won for F. C. 
Malkmes the distinction of being the only man to make a success of the laun- 
dry business in Vacaville. Others had tried, only to fail, and it remained for 
Mr. Malkmes to show the possibilities of untiring energy and sagacious judg- 
ment in this particular vocation. He was born of German ancestry, in New 
York state in 1875 and received his education in the public and high schools of 




Q>v. (A.CtaduA/ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 647 

the same state. Until he was twentj one years old he remained under the 
parental roof ami here he learned the habits and persistenl industry so char- 
acteristic of the Teutonic race. To such training, in no small way, may be 
attributed his presenl success. At the age of twenty one he engaged in com- 
mercial pursuits and a few years later he came to California ami opened up a 
laundry business for himself. In 1903 he came t" Vacaville ami established 
his present business, which ha- grown so that now his wagons may he seen 
goiiii; all over the country. 

In the same year that he came to Vacaville. 1903, Mr. Malkmes married 
Mi>s Grace Couch, a native ^\ England. .Mr. Malkmes' parents never came 
to California. His father is dead and his mother is enjoying the twilight of 
life at the age of seventy-two years. Fraternally Mr. Malkmes is a member 
of the Odd Fellows oi Vacaville. the Woodmen of the World, the Red Men, 
and the Eagles. Politically he is a believer in the principles of Socialism, 
\- a man he is honored and respected, and his employes, nine in number, 
speak in the highest terms of his treatment of them. 



A B PARKER. 

Among the more prosperous ranchers of Solano county mention must be 
made of A B Parker, who for a number of years has contested his right to 
wrest from the soil a living by the sweat of his brow. He was born in 
Parkerville. Morris county, Kans., May 28. 1871. and since he was three years 
^i age lias been a resident of California, arriving in Elmira, Solano county, 
May 1(>. 1874. llis father. Drury Parker, was born in Parkersburg, Lee 
county. Va., November 16. 1830. Two of his brothers were Union soldiers, 
and one served in the Confederate army. Of the nine children born to his 
parents he is the only one living. Near Xashville, Tenn., he was married to 
Rachel Xipper. a native of Strawberry Plains. Tenn.. born in 1835, and eleven 
children were born of their union, as follows: Jane, deceased; William T., 
of Fairfield; James A., of San Francisco; Margaret, Mrs. Harvey C. Tillot- 
son, ^i Xapa; Fletcher S.. of Xapa; Alice Lee, Mrs. John Pedersen, also of 
Napa; Arthur C. of Dixon: Drury B.. of Oakland; A B ; C D of Dixon; and 
Walter F.. of Yallejo. After many years of successful farming in Solano 
county. Drury Parker removed to Xapa. where with his wife he now lives 
retired. 

After completing his common-school education. A B Parker attended 
Heald's Business College in San Francisco, after which for three and one- 
half years he followed street railroading in Oakland, during which time he 
was instrumental in organizing the Oakland Street-car Men's Social and 
Benevolent Society, acting as chairman of the committee that drafted its 
by-laws and constitution. This order eventually grew into the Oakland 
Street Railway Union, increasing the street car man's wages from nineteen 
t" forty cents an hour. He then turned his attention to agriculture. Later 
a- foreman of his father's ranch he successfully carried on its extensive farm- 
ing and dairying interests for a number of years, the ranch lying three and 
a half miles south of Elmira. Subsequently he began farming for himself, 
now residing on his place of one thousand acres five miles east of Elmira. in 
addition to which he also leases six hundred and forty acres more, thus having 
under his control sixteen hundred acres devoted to grain and stock-raising. 
He is especially interested in the breeding of Percheron horses and mules. I [e 
is secretary of the Elmira Breeders' Association that own the celebrated jack- 
Black fohn : and is al>o secretary of the Elmira Percheron Horse Company 
that owns Charbonnier. a black Percheron stallion imported from France. 
Mr. Parker i< also engaged in rai-ing merino sheep, usually averaging about 



648 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

one thousand head. In gathering his large grain crops he uses a combined 
harvester. 

In April, 1895, at Binghampton, Solano county, Mr. Parker was married 
to Lillian M. Brown, a native of Binghampton and the daughter of Jackson 
Fay and Elizabeth M. (Hopkins) Brown, natives of Vermont. They came 
to California about 1856, before their marriage, and were united in Petaluma. 
Mr. Brown was engaged in the dairy business in Marin county until he came 
to Solano county and began farming on one hundred and sixty acres of prairie 
land. From that beginning he accumulated a large property and became one 
of the most successful farmers in the vicinity. He served as county assessor, 
supervisor and member of the assembly and refused nomination for state 
senator. He died in April, 1910, at the age of seventy-five years. His widow 
is still living on the old home place at the age of seventy-four years. Mrs. 
Parker was eduacted at Napa College. Three children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Parker, Ernest Fay, Dorothy May and Laurence Brown. Mr. Parker 
is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters and the Woodmen of the 
World, and politically he is a Prohibitionist. 



DONALD MUNRO. 

A man of singular force of will, tenacity of purpose and strength of char- 
acter, Donald Munro has put his native qualities to good use, as will be seen 
by a perusal of the events that make up his life. He is a descendant of Scotch 
ancestors through his paternal grandfather, also Donald Munro, who was born 
in Ross-shire, Scotland, and upon coming to the new world settled in the sea- 
port town of Pictou, Nova Scotia. In his native land he had learned the black- 
smith's trade, and this proved his principal stock in trade when he came as a 
stranger to make his home in a new country. He readily found work along the 
line of his training, and this he followed for a livelihood as long as he lived. 
Among the children in his family was a son Hugh, who was born in Pictou, 
Nova Scotia, and who took up the occupation which his father had followed 
so successfully all of his life. The father followed the blacksmith's trade in 
Pictou for many years, but ultimately removed to Boston, Mass., and con- 
tinued in the business there until coming to California in 1875. Locating in 
San Rafael, Marin county, he readily found work awaiting him at his trade, 
and after continuing there for about six years, was sent to Honolulu in the 
interests of the Hawaiian government, having charge of the blacksmith work 
for the Marine Railway, which was afterward taken over by Wilder & Co. 
This and other similar positions made it expedient for him to remain on the 
islands for twenty years, after which he returned to California and his last 
days were passed in Chico, Butte county. At the time of his death he was 
seventy-seven years of age. At the time of the Civil war he was living in 
Boston and rendered capable service to his adopted country as quarterman 
blacksmith of the Boston navy yard. His wife, formerly Margaret Talbot, was 
also a native of Pictou, Nova Scotia, and was the daughter of William Talbot, 
a native of Scotland, who as a shipwright followed his trade in his native 
land and also in Pictou, where he later located. Mrs. Margaret Munro passed 
away in Bolinas, Cal., in 1878. She became the mother of nine children, but of 
these only two are now living, Donald, and Mrs. F. H. Miller, of Los Angeles. 

Donald Munro calls to mind his early boyhood home in Pictou, Nova 
Scotia, where he was born January 17, 1867. and also his later home in Boston, 
Mass., where he attended school until he was nine years old. Removal at this 
age to California broke in upon his studies to some extent, but he readily 
adjusted himself to his new surroundings and continued his studies in the 
public schools of Bolinas, Marin county. Immediately following the close of 
his school days he apprenticed himself to learn the blacksmith's trade under 



HISTORY OF SOL. \\o AND NAPA O H" XT I PS 

his father, bul before completing his time he left home abruptly for Honolulu, 
boarding the old Suez bound For thai porl in < )ctober, 1880, when he was aboul 
thirteen years old. He landed there after experiencing a rough voyage, only 
to be confronted with the trying experience of finding himself among strangers 
without funds. The inconvenience was relieved during his firsl day in Hono 
lulu, however, for he immediately found employment in the carriage shop of 
(i. West & Co., where his initial knowledge of the blacksmith's trade was put 
to good use, and during the eighteen months he remained with this employer 
ho completed his apprenticeship. At the end of the time mentioned he returned 
t<> California, and at various centers throughout the state he worked at his 
trade for the Southern Pacific Railroad and other large corporations. 

In 1887 Mr. Munro accepted Ids first position in the employ ><\ the govern- 
ment, this being at the Presidio at San Francisco, in the capacity of chief 
farrier hi the quartermaster department, U. S. A. Two years later he came 
to Vallejo and ever since then. 1889, has been connected witli the Mare Island 
navy yard in one capacity or another, in fact has risen to one of the most 
responsible offices connected with the enterprise. In 1902 he was appointed 
master shipsmith o\ the Cavite naval station in the Philippine Islands, and 
during the two years and a half that he remained there he equipped the black- 
smith department and put it in good working order hefore leaving it to be 
maintained by others. Returning to Mare Island, he continued as a mechanic 
there until 1905, when by competitive examination he was appointed foreman 
blacksmith in the Steam Engineering department. He held this position until 
the consolidation of all of the departments in February, 1909. when he took 
the examination and secured the appointment as master shipsmith in the con- 
solidated departments, a position which he still holds and one which consumes 
all of his time. 

Mr Munro has a pleasant home at No. 836 Virginia street, Vallejo. which 
he erected to suit his own needs, and which is presided over by his wife, whom 
he married in Oakland. She was formerly Miss May E. Galvin, a native of 
Cambridge. Mass. Two children were born of this marriage. Burnett H.. who 
is now serving his apprenticeship as a machinist in the navy yard, and Eppy 
Ross, a graduate of the Vallejo high school and now a student in the San 
Francisco state normal school. Notwithstanding the strenuous duties that 
claim Mr. Munro's time, he is still one of the town's most active and enterpris- 
ing citizens, as was shown in October, 1910, when he was elected a member of 
the board of freeholders and was made vice-president of the body. Being a firm 
believer in placing the power of the government in the hands of the people, the 
call to office made a special appeal to him and he was more than gratified to 
see hi- loved home city pass from the old to the new commission form of 
control. As a stanch Republican he has been chosen a member of the county 
central committee of that party on a number of occasions. Fraternallv he is 
a member of Naval Lodge No. 87. F. & A. M.. of which he is past master, and 
is also a member of Naval Chanter No. 35. R. A. M., his membership in the 
latter having been transferred from Keystone Chapter. Shanghai. China. He 
is also a member and past grand of Golden State Lodge No. 21r>. I. O. O. P., 
and a member of Samoset Tribe. [. O. R. M.. and Court Solano, [. O. F. 



JO I IX WESLEY HARTZELL. 

A career of unprecedented activity having its inception in railroad build 
iiiLi in Illinois and Kansas and reaching a climax in similar enterprises on the 
Pacific coast was brought to a sudden close almost simultaneously with the 
great fire at San Francisco, the shock of that catastrophe with its subsequent 
unparalleled losses being indeed the chief cause of the stroke of apoplexy 



650 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

eventually ending the life of John Wesley Hartzell, a man of superior ability 
and remarkable insight into all details connected with the construction of rail- 
roads. Among his contemporaries he was regarded as the possessor of a keen 
analytical mind which reasoned quickly and logically and arrived at conclu- 
sions that subsequent study seldom reversed. Experience coupled with sound 
judgment gave him a grasp of construction work held by few and the senti- 
ment of people associated with him along the line of his specialties unitedly 
bestowed upon him a foremost place in his county and commonwealth. 

Born in 1838 in Moline, 111., and educated in the schools of his native 
city, Mr. Hartzell earned his first money as a school teacher, but in young 
manhood he drifted into railroad building and ever afterward he devoted his 
splendid energies to that work. To him belongs the distinction of being the 
pioneer builder of street-car lines in the state of Kansas. The first road which 
he built was in Topeka, and he was also identified with other enterprises for 
the upbuilding of that place. Later he built the railroad at Wichita and while 
making his home in that city he built a road at Emporia, same state, also at 
Carthage, Mo., after which he built the Moline and Rock Island road. These 
important enterprises received capable assistance from his wife, whom he had 
married in 1883 and who was Mrs. Jennie R. Walling, a lady of recognized 
ability. She was born near Troy, Miami county, Ohio, the daughter of 
Andrew J. and Mary (Cecil) Ryan, both descendants of old Virginia families. 
The father was a large and prominent land owner and a breeder of fine stock. 
His later years were passed in Topeka. Kan., where he died, and his wife 
died in Galveston, Tex. Their daughter, Mrs. Hartzell, was educated in 
Ohio Wesleyan Female Seminary, at Delaware, Ohio. Her first marriage 
united her with Barnard P. Walling, who though born in Holland was reared 
in Albany, N. Y. He served creditably in the Civil war in the Ninety-first 
New York Volunteers. Subsequently he became a prominent horticulturist 
and stock-raiser in Lawrence, Kan. His death occurred in Philadelphia dur- 
ing the time of the Centennial, being the result of a street railroad accident. 
One child was born of this marriage, now Mrs. Grace Plartzell Britton of 
Berkeley, Cal. Mrs. Hartzell still owns considerable property in Vallejo 
Heights that has been passed upon by experts as very valuable oil land, and 
it is hoped this will prove to be a fact, as it would mean a great boon to Solano 
and Napa counties. ' 

Coming to California in 1889 Mr. Hartzell built the railroad from San 
Francisco to San Mateo, and on the completion of the road, forced the cable 
roads to exchange transfers with his line, thereby greatly benefiting the 
working people. One of his earliest and most important labors was the secur- 
ing of the passage of a bill by the state legislature whereby it became legal 
to use electricity as the motive power in the construction of street railroads 
in California, thereby affording a satisfactory substitute for the old cable 
system. An important enterprise by Mr. Hartzell was the building, at a cost 
of $80,000, of the levee at Stockton, but when about ready to construct the 
connecting link between Stockton and Santa Fe the entire contract was seized 
by another party, cutting him off from all profits. For two years after this 
unfortunate affair he remained out of business, but at the expiration of that 
time he removed to Vallejo and with others organized a company that pur- 
chased a large ranch. Under his oversight the land was divided into town 
lots and was named Vallejo Heights, which today forms a popular and well- 
populated section of the city. 

The last undertaking which engaged the attention of Mr. Hartzell was 
the promoting of the San Francisco, Vallejo & Napa Valley Railroad. In 
this he had progressed to such an extent that a franchise had been secured 
extending the right of way to Lake county and French capital had been 
promised to finance the work. Just then came the unfortunate fire at San 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 653 

Francisco, April 18, 1906; and this rendered the Foreign investors timid con- 
cerning the safety of their capital on the coast, so the pledge was withdrawn. 
In addition all contracts and papers pertaining to the new road were destroyed 
in the tire. The shock proved too greal for the physical endurance of Mr. 
Han/ell and lie suffered a stroke of apoplexy, which in connection with an 
injury from accident, ultimately caused his death December 6 of the Same 
year." Mis business affairs were left in a chaotic condition, hut his wife with 
ready -kill and keen intelligence took hold of the estate, paid all obligations, 
Settled all outstanding matters and closed OU1 all contracts, thus hem- able to 
retain for herself what otherwise would have been hopelessly lost and at the 
same time leaving no indebtedness to shadow the memory of her talented 
husband. 

C I) PARKER. 

In the life ^i C D Parker, a resident of Binghampton, Solano county, we 
have an excellent example of achievement as a result of earnest work and 
sincere endeavor. Mr. Parker is classed among the most prosperous ranchers 
in Solano county and in every sense of the word may he said to be a worthy 
son of his noble' father. Drury Parker. C D Parker was born in Parkerville, 
Morris county, Kans.. May 2$. 1871, but his recollections of the corn state are 
meager lor the annals of the family history tell us that, in company with his 
parents, he left there when he was three years old. and came to Elmira. Cal., 
in 1874. He is the son of Drury and Rachel (Xipper) Parker, wdio now reside 
in Xana. where, on November 29; 1003. they celebrated their golden wedding 
anniversary. Of their eleven children, C D and his twin brother A B (who is 
represented elsewhere in this volume) are next to the youngest in the family. 
CD Parker was reared and educated in the vicinity of Elmira and completed 
his studies at Heald's Business College at San Francisco. Graduating in 
18^1. he then began farming, which business he has followed ever since. 
Fight miles south of Dixon he has a ranch of one thousand acres devoted to 
grain and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of raising Merino and Shrop- 
shire sheep and Percheron horses, and is interested in the Elmira Percheron 
Horse Company and the Elmira Breeders' Association. In his farming opera- 
tions Mr Parker uses the latest methods and in the gathering of his crops 
s a combined harvester. His place is improved with a modern residence 
and outbuildings, these and other improvements combining to make it up- 
to-date in every particular. 

In Binghampton. Cal.. September 14. 1904, C D Parker was united in 
marriage with Lulu I. Brown, a native of Solano county and a graduate of 
Xana College. She is the daughter of Hon. Jackson Fay Brown, a pioneer of 
the county, whose -ketch will be found on another page. Mr. and Mrs. 
Parker have four children. Irene E.. Clarence L.. Ellwood M. and Eva M. 
Fraternallv Mr. Parker is a member of the Modern Woodmen of the World 
ami Independent Order of Foresters, and politically is a Republican, being a 
stanch -importer of state and national institutions. He is a successful farmer 
and is a man well esteemed and respected in the district for the general good 
<pialities he possesses. 

J. P.. TUFTS. 

The family represented by this honored pioneer of the west descends 
from a long line of patriotic ancestry associated for several generations with 
the military service of the United States. His father, a graduate of West 
Point and an officer distinguished for hi- knowledge of military tactics, served 
at northern barracks for a long period and then was stationed for years at a 



654 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

fort in North Carolina. He owned three hundred and twenty acres in New 
York state and also had valuable property in New York City. In marriage he 
was united with Mary Davis, a niece of Jefferson Davis and the daughter of 
a commanding regimental officer. The grandfather died in Albany, N. Y.. and 
left a large estate to descendants so widely scattered that it became necessary 
for the officials to advertise for the heirs. 

J. B. Tufts was born in New Jersey November 8, 1824, and he was edu- 
cated principally in New Jersey, leaving home at the ag'e of twenty-one years 
to make his own way in the world. Starting in the printing business he had 
learned all of its details in two years and later he embarked in the card printing 
business in New York City, where with a partner he rented rooms on a first 
floor. While living in the east, in 1849, Mr. Tufts married Mary, daughter of 
John M. Kingsland, a former sheriff of New York City, where she was born 
and educated. They became the parents of ten children, but lost three at 
birth, the others being George K., "William, Charles, Andrew, Lucy, Dolly 
and Belle. All are married and at this writing there are twenty-three grand- 
children and fifteen great-grandchildren. It has been the privilege of Mr. 
and Mrs. Tufts to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. In a 
beautiful residence, far removed from the eastern home where they were 
married, they received the congratulations of their hosts of friends upon the 
attainment of the auspicious occasion and all united in wishing for them the 
enjoyment of many more years of happiness and prosperity. 

The discovery of gold in California was the attraction that drew Mr. 
Tufts from the bright prospects of his eastern business. At New York he 
took passage on the only ship that ever came from there to Sacramento. After 
a voyage of six months he and his partner left the ship at San Francisco, where 
they had planned to engage in business. They had brought with them $4,000 
worth of groceries and butter, and sold the latter at from $4 to $5 per pound. 
They also brought lumber worth $600 per thousand feet and seventeen thou- 
sand pounds of sheet iron worth $2 per pound. Unable to lease a lot in San 
Francisco for less than $5,000 annual rental they chartered a schooner for 
$1,000 and took their cargo to Sacramento, where they utilized their six thou- 
sand feet of lumber in the erection of a two-story building. The sheet iron 
also found a place in the structure. With their other property they had 
brought from the east were ten casks of brandy and all of this they sold to a 
merchant on J street. 

From June until July of 1850 Mr. Tufts engaged in the restaurant business 
on Front street, San Francisco, as a partner of Senator Stewart of Nevada. 
He then formed a partnership with a penniless man who claimed to have con- 
siderable experience. With the money earned by Mr. Tufts the two men pur- 
chased an ox-team and loaded a wagon with groceries and a large supply of 
meat (twelve beeves). They crossed the desert on foot and without water and 
opened a shop where emigrants approached from the east. Customers were 
abundant and always hungry. The meat sold at $5 per pound and was paid 
for by the emigrants with their horses or mules. When the partners had 
sold out their entire supply of food they started back with four hundred head 
of horses and mules. Mr. Tufts went on ahead and left the partner with the 
stock. Later he learned that the man sold the animals for $6,000, but from 
that time to this he has never seen nor heard of the rascal, who made it con- 
venient to vanish to parts unknown. Mr. Tufts then ran a hotel at Washing- 
ton, Yolo county, besides running a ferry. In this work he was fortunate to 
have for a partner Jacob Lewis, the owner of a fine hotel in Sacramento. 
Later he bought for $17 an acre five hundred acres of land, some of which he 
sold for $50 an acre. The last of the tract he sold to G. G. Briggs for $600 
an acre, reserving the right to keep the house, which he moved to ground 
bought at $10 per lot. Since 1878 he has resided at Davisville, Yolo county, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 655 

where he is a large property owner and where, before his retirement from all 
public and business cares, he served as postmaster, road supervisor and justice 
nt" the peace. Although now retired, he maintains a warm interest in all 
.1 and state activities. Few have done more than he to advance the wel 

tare of his community and none has displayed a more steadfast interest in all 
movements for the material, moral and educational Upbuilding of town and 
county. 



EDW IX HENRY SAW VER. 

Out from the valley of the far-distant past, memories of pioneer experi- 
ences refresh the declining years of Mr. Sawyer and form a sacred link 
between the chaos oi the frontier and the refinements of a twentieth-century 
civilization. Gone are the majority of his comrades of the historic '50s; 
gone, too. are the enthusiasm and unwearied energies of his youthful years; 
but there still remain, to cast a golden glow over life's restful twilight, happy 
memories of the associations and the activities of bygone days. Perhaps no 
recollection is more deeply impressed upon his mind than that of his long 
voyage in 1851 from the shores of the Atlantic ocean via Nicaragua to the 
Pacific coast, where he joined his father. Jesse Sawyer, a pioneer of '49, 
and a man of forceful ability, well qualified to meet all problems connected 
with frontier existence. The family had been early established in Massa- 
chusetts and long identified with Haverhill, that state, where Edwin H. 
was born in 1831 and whence his father had migrated to the Pacific coast, 
making the long voyage around the Horn on the sailing ship Leonore, and 
acting as vice-president of the company of one hundred persons on board 
the vessel. 

The historic Sawyer house, occupying a prominent location on the water- 
front at Benicia. was built by Jesse Sawyer and under his keen oversight 
developed into one of the most popular inns of pioneer days. Among its 
guests from time to time were men prominent in the material and political 
history of the commonwealth. Eor years it was a favorite stopping place 
of the traveling public, who were attracted no less by the geniality of the 
proprietor than by the close attention given to their material welfare. The 
young easterner who landed at Benicia in 1851 sought employment there 
and soon received an appointment as agent for the Adams Express Com- 
pany, in which capacity he made many trips over the hills from Benicia 
to Yallejo. Xo roads had been laid out. Travel was attended by innumerable 
hardships. Only men of pluck and daring were willing to accept positions 
necessitating constant travel. The legislature held its sessions at Vallejo, 
and when the express agent attended the sessions he found the members 
armed with revolvers and sitting with their feet on their desks. Dignity 
was not a characteristic of the early legislators, but what they lacked in 
refinement they made up in energy. 

Two years of service a> express agent on the frontier terminated in 
1853 with the return of Edwin II. Sawyer to the east, the trip being made 
via Panama. It was his intention to remain permanently in New England. 
but the west had cast its fascinating spell upon him and in 1858 he returned 
to California, securing a position as clerk to his father, the naval store keeper 
at the Mare Island navy yard. Later he was transferred to different depart- 
ments and eventually won a promotion to the position of chief accountant 
in the commandant's office at the navy yard. A visit of one year in Japan 
and adjacent countries gave him a comprehensive knowledge of that por 
tion of the world. During 1862 he went east overland by stage and became 
chief clerk to the naval constructor of the Boston navy yard, but afterward 
returned to California and again resumed government service at Marc 



656 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Island. Early in the '70s he erected a commodious residence at Vallejo 
overlooking the bay and this building" is now considered one of the land- 
marks of the locality. During 1875 he secured a position in the San Fran- 
cisco office of the United States surveyor general and for sixteen years he 
continued in the same capacity, discharging manifold responsibilities with 
devotion, tact and intelligence. Meanwhile, on two occasions, he was sent 
to Colusa county for the purpose of examining and auditing the books of 
the county officials, a task for which his expertness in accounting admirably 
qualified him. 

Since retiring from business ' Mr. Sawyer has made his home part of 
the time at Berkeley, where he resides at No. 2640 Warring street, but he 
is so fond of the country that he passes a large part of each year on his 
ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, known as the Altissimo ranch, which 
lies in Napa county a short distance back from Vacaville, Solano county. 
He finds enjoyment in setting out and watching the growth of the fruit 
trees on his ranch, in making improvements as needed and in directing the 
management of the property. On New Year's of 1866 he became a member 
of the Society of California Pioneers and ever since then he has been inter- 
ested in the work of that organization. Much of his pleasure is derived 
from association with other pioneers and in witnessing the remarkable devel- 
opment of the commonwealth with whose beginning he was associated as 
an early settler. 



WALLACE T. RUTHERFORD. 

A prominent attorney of Napa, Cal., Wallace T. Rutherford was born 
in Vallejo, Solano county, August 7, 1876. He received his primary edu- 
cation in the public schools of his native city and Calistoga and later attended 
Heald's Business College in San Francisco for one year, fitting himself 
for general commercial work. Completing this course he had made up his 
mind to study law, and to carry out his plans he went to Merced and for 
the following three and one-half years studied in the office of J. W. Knox, 
one of the most prominent lawyers of that city. By devoting himself assidu- 
ously to his study he was admitted to practice before the supreme court of 
the state on September 8, 1898. In the same month he came to Napa and 
opened an office and in the years that have intervened he has built up a 
lucrative practice throughout the city and county. Besides this he has won 
the friendship of an ever increasing circle of friends by his genial nature 
and his strict integrity. Always popular as a citizen he was appointed to 
the office of city attorney of Napa, in 1907, and so faithfully did he perform 
his duties that he received the nomination for the office and was elected 
at the following election in 1909 and re-elected in 1911 for a term of four 
years. His efficiency and popularity are ever to the fore when he is spoken 
of by those with whom he has had business or social relations. 

Mr. Rutherford's time has not been entirely taken up with his chosen 
.profession for he has found time and opportunity to enter into the com- 
mercial field and is president and sole owner of the Shoults Paper Box Com- 
pany of Napa, one of the prosperous concerns that has assisted in developing 
the city. In fraternal circles he has become an active participant and is a mem- 
ber of the Masons, the Eastern Star, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, 
Order of Eagles, Woodmen of the World, Modern Woodmen of America, 
Native Sons of the Golden West, and is a "Fifth Degree" Granger. As 
an American citizen Mr. Rutherford is patriotic and he is first lieutenant, 
Company H, Second Regiment, National Guard of California. Since 1906, 
he has been secretary of the Republican County Central Committee and 
has taken a very active part in the politics of the county. He has been 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTIES 659 

an active member of the Napa Chamber of Commerce and a member oi 
the board of directors since its incorporation, furthermore he has donated 
his services as legal advisor oi thai body. He is also serving as town 
attorney of the town oi Calistoga, where his early school days were spent. 

On September 18, 1901, Mr. Rutherford was united in marriage to 
Miss Emma E. Russell, who was born in the state of Washington. Of 
this union two children, Sheldon and Wesley, have been born. Large 
hearted and generous, clever and progressive. Mr. Rutherford is typical of 
California's native sons on whom the honor of state and country safely 
rests, and he. together with his wife and family, enjoy the friendship and 
esteem of all those residents of this section of California where his efforts 
have been expended. 



COLUM BUS TI BBS ROB! X SON. 

On the old J. M. Robinson homestead in Solano county Columbus Tibbs 
Robinson was horn March 12. 1S57. His father. Jonathan McNeil Robinson, 
was born in Kentucky in 1817. In 1853 he married Mary Jane Tibbs. also a 
native oi Kentucky. On the day of their marriage they started for Cali- 
fornia, crossing the plains with ox-teams. In 1854 they located on the old 
homestead as a pre-emption government claim, the land then being in a wild 
state, but as the years passed they made improvements and reared their 
family. The husband and father, after a heroic fight with the elements con- 
tributory to life, passed peacefully to his reward in 1901, when eighty-three 
vears old. The mother still resides with her children, of whom there were 
originally nine, only four now living. The oldest of the family, Columbus T. 
Robinson was reared on the ranch that he occupies today and received his 
education in the public schools and in Atkinson's Business College, Sacra- 
mento. He then took up farming on the old homestead, comprising three 
hundred and twenty acres, of which one hundred and twenty-five are in or- 
chard and vineyard, the balance in grain and pasture. Some years ago he 
purchased the old home place, and ever since has been improving it with new 
orchards and modern conveniences. The place is located about seven miles 
north of Vacaville. at the head of Yaca valley. Begun on a small scale, this 
is now one of the finest orchards in Solano county and was one of the first 
farms in the county set to orchard for commercial purposes. 

In 1899 Mr. Robinson was married to Miss Julia J. Cox, a native of 
Salem. Xeb.. and the only child born to them. Evelyn McNeil, is now attend- 
ing the local school. Mrs. Robinson is the daughter of George W. and Sarah 
E. (Barber) Cox. who reside at St. Helena. Mr. Cox served in the Civil war 
and is prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Politically Mr. Robinson is a Republican and adheres to the principles of 
his party with all the tenacity so characteristic of native sons. Fraternally 
he is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order 
of Foresters and is also a member of Solano Parlor No. 177. X. S. G. W.. of 
Suisun. For many years he has been secretary of the Board of school trustees 
of the Oakdale district. He devotes much of his time to the real estate and 
insurance business, representing the Home. Glens Falls. New York and other 
companies. 

In addition to the prominence accruing from his business life, Mr. Robin- 
son is well known as the originator of the Rural Free Delivery in the district 
in which he lives. He agitated this important step in civic progress and was 
ultimately appointed as the first carrier on this route until it was assured, 
when he resigned. The foregoing will serve to show that Mr. Robinson is a 
man of large vision and one on whom devolves the self-imposed privilege of 
supporting all just causes. 



660 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ERNEST J. VIENOP. 

The immediate progenitors of Ernest J. Vienop, Fred H. and Charlotte 
(Shriek) Vienop, were born in Germany, and upon immigrating to this 
country they settled in St. Louis, Mo., where the father followed his trade 
of cigar manufacturer until his death. The mother is still living and a resi- 
dent of St. Louis. Five children were originally comprised in the parental 
family, but of these only three are living, and Ernest J. is the eldest of the 
number. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., November 26, 1871, and his boy- 
hood and youth were passed in the locality of his birth, the public schools 
of that city also furnishing him with a fair education. When he was about 
sixteen years old he apprenticed himself to learn the brick-layer's trade 
under H. Hartman, a well-known brick contractor of that city. Four years 
of conscientious and constant work under this instructor found the young 
man full-fledged and ready to undertake work as a journeyman, and for 
about eighteen years, or until 1898, he found plenty of work in St. Louis 
and vicinity. 

Mr. Vienop's first venture from native haunts occurred in 1898 and 
took him to Fairbury, Jefferson county, Neb., in which vicinity he established 
himself on a farm and continued farming- there for two years, or until com- 
ing to California. He reached the Golden State February 22, 1900, coming 
directly to Napa county, which has ever since been his home and the scene 
of his activities. Near Napa he purchased a small ranch of five acres on 
the Monticello road, where he engages in horticulture and the poultry busi- 
ness. His ranch activities may be regarded more properly as a recreation 
than as a business, however, for he is actively engaged in following his 
trade of brick contractor. Among the buildings that have been erected un- 
der his supervision are the Register building, California bakery and Migli- 
vacca warehouse in Napa, besides which he has erected structures through- 
out Napa and Solano counties, in fact his services have also been employed 
on numerous structures in different parts of northern California. 

While still a resident of St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Vienop was united in mar- 
riage in that city with Miss Ricka Schiffmann, who was born there. Four 
sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vienop : George, William, Walter and 
Albert. The family attends the Lutheran Church and politically Mr. Vienop 
is a Republican. 



THOMAS LEMUEL SNIDER. 

By trade Thomas L. Snider of Monticello, is a shoe and harness maker 
and as such is well known to the residents of the district in which he resides. 
He was born in New York state September 5, 1834, his parents also being 
natives of that state. When he was five years of age his parents moved to 
Ohio, where his father followed farming, which occupation the boy learned 
at an early age, later learning the harness and shoe making trade. In 1857 
the family moved to Wisconsin. 

On August 21, 1862, Mr. Snider enlisted in the army as a member of 
Company I, Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry, under Capt. J. R. Ward, and 
the company first engaged in battle in Tennessee. He was with General 
Sherman at Atlanta. Ga., and also at Bentonville. At the close of the war 
he was mustered out and honorably discharged in 1865. After his return 
to private life Mr. Snider lived in Wisconsin until 1877, then moving to 
Nebraska, and finally he came to California in 1892, settling in Berryessa 
Valley, Napa county, where he began working at his trade. Here he has 
made many friends, and is a factor in the advancement of the interests of 
the community. Mr. Snider was married to Miss Elmira Felch, a native of 
Vermont. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTIES 661 

JAMES WILLIAM I. URAMORE. 

Born in Sparta. Noble county. Ind.. June 24, 1859, James William Laira- 
more attended the public schools in his youth and on graduating he entered 
the Northern Indiana Stair Normal at Valparaiso. Thus he passed the first 
twenty five years of Ids life within the borders of the home state, the latter 
portion <>i' which was spent as an agriculturist. At the age of twenty six he 
came west, spending the first two years in Salt Lake- City. \ftcr leaving 
Utah he went to San Francisco, afterwards going to San Jose, but on hearing 
of the splendid opportunities for tanners and stock-raisers in Solano county 
he located on thirty-five acres ui land, seven miles southwest of Dixon. Later 
On he added seven hundred and ninety-three acres to his previous holding and 
on this fine place he settled down to the life of a rancher. 

Mr. Lai ram ore conducts a very successful real estate business in connec- 
tion with his ranch, his office headquarters being in San Francisco, lie adver- 
- widely, chiefly in the Salt Lake City papers and those of Los Angeles and 
Portland, lie is also the inventor and patentee of a valuable door check 
which has had a large sale in various states. Politically he is a Republican 
and also holds membership in the .Methodist Episcopal Church. Having been 
a resident of Dixon for more than twenty-five years and actively engaged in 
the sale of real estate for the last fifteen years, he is well and favorably known 
throughout Solano county and has the good wishes of a host of friends and 
well wishers. 



MICH ALL SCALLY. 

Born in Ireland in February. 1846. Mr. Scally was brought to America at 
the age of three years by his parents, who located in Xew York state. Until 
he was twenty. Michael remained in Wayne county, that state, and then, in 
1866, came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Arriving in San 
Francisco he left immediately for Xapa. Xapa count}', where he engaged in 
farming. Just thirty-eight years ago he bought three hundred and thirty-four 
acres located about two miles northeast of Xapa Junction, for which he paid 
$30 an acre. This is used for grain and stock raising, besides which he leases 
about eight hundred acres for grain and pasture. The sons of Mr. Scally rent 
a ranch of twelve thousand acres in Gordon valley, known as the Chimalis 
ranch, of which six hundred acres are used for grain and the balance for 
pasture. On this place the sons keep five hundred head of cattle, four hundred 
sheep and about twenty horses. In addition to this ranch they run a butcher 
shop in Yallejo at No. 410 Georgia street, and the major portion of the meat 
for this business is furnished from their ranch. 

Michael Scally was married to Miss Bridget Boyle, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, and the following children were born to them: John, Edward. Fred. 
George. William. Katherine, Robert. Clara. Irving, Grace, Irene. Anna, Alice. 
Rose and Bertram. Grace is a teacher in the Soscol schools, and Edward is a 
firewarden of Gordon valley district. 



ROBERT FRANCIS TAYLOR. M. D. 

A very early era in the colonization of Virginia witnessed the settlement 
oi the Taylor family in the Old Dominion, whose subsequent agricultural 
development they fostered and whose general prosperity several successive 
generations promoted. The first of the name to follow' the general tide of 
migration toward the west was Louis, a native Virginian and a man of 
rugged constitution, intense mental activity and keen intuition. With pro- 
phetic foresight grasping the future value' of land, he acquired large hold 



662 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ings in Indiana at a time when such property could be secured for a mere 
trifle. Eventually he became the owner of seventeen hundred acres in 
Warrick county, that state, and until shortly before his death, which occurred 
at the age of ninety-seven years, he personally superintended his vast tracts 
of land as well as the five hundred head of cattle and other stock that he 
owned. 

On the home ranch in Warrick county, Ind., Johnson Taylor, son of Louis, 
was born and reared, and there he remained a lifelong resident, meanwhile 
becoming very prominent as a farmer, a speculator and a man of affairs. 
His death occurred when he was seventy-two years of age. During early 
manhood he had married Eleanor Osborne, who was born in Virginia of 
Scotch descent and died in Indiana at sixty-eight years of age. Her father, 
James Osborne, had brought the family from Virginia to Indiana in a very 
early day and had taken up land in Warrick county, where in 1852 he and 
his wife fell victims of the cholera. In the family of Johnson and Eleanor 
Taylor there were six children, all still living, of whom Robert Francis, 
the second of the six, was born at Evansville, Ind., April 7, 1849. One 
of his brothers, Dr. Oliver J., is engaged in the practice of medicine at 
Wichita, Kans., and another brother, S. L., resides at New Orleans, La., 
and is widely known as a breeder of thoroughbred standard horses. 

The old homestead nine miles from Boonville, Ind., was the spot where 
Dr. Taylor passed the early years of life. Ambitious to secure a thorough 
education, on the completion of the common school branches he taught school 
in order to earn the money necessary for further study. For four years 
he continued to study in the Ohio State Normal at Lebanon and during 
the last year there he also acted as an instructor in some of the branches 
in which he was most proficient. After leaving the normal he entered Pulte 
Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he took the regular course of 
lectures and in 1877 received the degree of M. D., after having completed 
the stipulated course with a high standing. Since then he has remained a 
student, ever eager to grasp the discoveries and developments in materia 
medica and solicitous to appropriate into his own practice all innovations 
of unquestioned value to the profession. After having practiced in Evans- 
ville, Ind., for two years, in 1879 he came to California and settled at Wood- 
land, but a year later he came to Napa, bought out the practice of Dr. 
Porter and entered upon a professional identification with the city that has 
continued up to the present time. 

The marriage of Dr. Taylor took place in Sacramento and united him 
with Miss Mazie Stebbins, who was born in Homer, Mich., and is a grad- 
uate of Albion College in that state. Their only child, Robert C, now a 
resident of Berkeley, is a partner in the Savoy Cigar Company of San Fran- 
cisco. In national politics the Doctor votes the Democratic ticket. Besides 
being a member of the Eagles and the Knights of Pythias, he has been very 
prominent in the local philanthropies of the Masonic Order, having been 
made a Mason many years ago in Yount Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M., later 
raised to membership in Napa Chapter No. 30, R. A. M., and also belonging 
to Napa Commandery No. 34, K. T. During 1882 he was chosen county 
physician and at that time he filled the office for two terms. Quite recently 
he was again chosen for the position, which he now fills. At one time he 
served as a member of the board of health of Napa and for the past eight 
years he rendered efficient public service as a member of the Napa county 
board of lunacy commission. While possessing an extensive knowledge of 
professional matters, he has not narrowed his study to those lines, but on 
the contrary proves to be an interesting conversationalist upon all subjects 
of general importance and impresses strangers and acquaintances alike as 
a gentleman of unusual mental attainments and general knowledge. 





2*^i_ 



HIS TORN' OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES 665 

GEORGE MILLER BL \kl 

War the Hudson river, in Dutchess county, X. Y.. George Miller I'dake 
was born in the year 1830, long before many of the vast advances credited to 
the nineteenth century had made inroads on the peace and quiet oi the eastern 
states. Facilities for travel and education were limited, for only in the larger 

cities was found anything like a pretention among instructors to educate the 
youth of the country in the higher arts and sciences. In fact not every town 
and city could boast oi having its schoolhouse. Mr. Blake, under the tender 
tuition oi his mother, learned the rudiments of education. Until about fifteen 
years of ace he remained under the parental roof, then went into a counting 
"house as bookkeeper, remaining until 1852, when he made the journey to 
California. In San Francisco he engaged in the mercantile business with 
Ilavwards. being manager oi their affairs until the business was sold. Dur- 
ing this time he became interested in mining and was very successful in the 
venture, but on account of his old love for the country he came to Solano 
county in 18S3 and bought a ranch. Me was not long permitted to enjoy 
his new home, however, for on December 22 of the following year he was 
called to his reward. 

In 1870 Mr. l'.lake married Miss Elizabeth Lyle. a native of East Machias, 
Me., and the daughter of Joshua B. and Ann E. (Simpson) Lyle. the former 
born in New Brunswick of Scotch descent, and the latter born in East 
Machias. Me., ami oi English and Irish descent. Joshua 1'.. Lyle was a mer- 
chant until the discovery of gold in California, and in the summer of 184'' 
he started on a sailer around Cape Horn, landing in San Francisco in January, 
1850. For a while he followed mining with success, and then engaged in the 
real estate business in San Francisco until his death in 1892. His wife 
brought the family to California on a sailing vessel around Cape Horn in 
1853. She was one of the pioneer women of the state, a strong, noble char- 
acter, and her death in 1880 was a loss to family and community. Of her 
three children two are living. Rev. Albert F. Lyle, who died November 17. 
V>\0. in Xewark, X. J., was a Presbyterian clergyman ; William S. Lyle is a 
mining man in San Francisco; Mrs. Blake passed her childhood in San Fran- 
ciso, where she was educated, finishing her training in a private seminary. 
After her husband's death she assumed the management of the ranch of 
three hundred and sixty acres. One hundred and fifty acres are in orchard, 
including pears, plums, prunes, apricots, figs and cherries. The ranch is 
located nine miles north of Yacaville. nestling at the foot of the Blue moun- 
tains, which separate them from Xapa valley. The residence is commodious 
and of southern style, and Mrs. Blake's hospitality is just as unbounded. 
Some idea of her enterprise may be gathered from the fact that she super- 
intends all the work of her ranch. She is a woman who is ever ready to 
support everything for the betterment of conditions and in her Solano county 
has a most enthusiastic advocate. 



CLARLXCE I. NEWCOMB. 

Ever since he became a citizen of Xapa during the year 1905 Mr. Xew- 
comb has engaged in the livery business as proprietor of the Palace stable, 
which he has conducted at different times with a partner and alone. After 
a long occupancy of the original quarters of the business he sought a dif- 
ferent location and August 1. 1911. he leased the corner of Second and 
Coombs streets, where he built the large and substantial stables now utilized 
for the needs of his growing enterprise. The main building. ?7y 2 x8l feet 
in dimensions, contains two stories and has an office and ladies' waiting 



666 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

room together Avith ample facilities for the storage of vehicles. The other 
part. 38x82 feet, has a capacity of forty-five horses and is utilized as a barn, 
being provided with the equipment necessary for such a purpose. 

The Newcomb family comes from New England. In Cumberland county, 
Me., near the shores of the picturesque lake of Sebago and in the town of 
that name Clarence I. Newcomb was born September 22, 1868, being the 
eldest among the six children comprising the family of Charles and Luella 
(Reed) Newcomb, natives respectively of Maine and New Hampshire. The 
father, who served in the Union army as a private in the Seventeenth Maine 
Infantry and was wounded severely at Spottsylvania Courthouse, earned a 
livelihood for his family through agricultural pursuits and merchandising, 
and after having lived in Maine and Massachusetts throughout his life up 
to 1886. he then came to California and took up land six miles east of 
Lincoln in Placer county, where he died in 1895. His widow is still living. 

When seven years of age Clarence I. Newcomb was taken by his parents 
from Maine to Massachusetts and settled with them at Lynn, where he 
attended school. Later he completed his studies in Boston. When he 
came to California in 1886 he was given employment with an uncle, J. H. 
Bickford, a stockman of Placer county, with whom he continued for two 
years. A subsequent employment as a hand on a stock farm in Eldorado 
county was followed by his entrance into independent work in 1889. when 
he embarked in the stock business and in ranching in Placer county at the 
old homestead. There being in his possession a considerable number of 
horses, he found a profitable use for them in teaming and freighting. Dur- 
ing 1898 he left the old home ranch and removed to Auburn, where he took 
charge temporarily of the stables owned by Charles Keenea. Next he bought 
a fruit farm near Lincoln and for six years engaged in carrying on horti- 
cultural enterprises. Upon selling out the property in 1904 he took charge 
of the first rural mail route in that county and operated the same from the 
Lincoln postoffice. Upon resigning the government position after one year 
he came to Napa and since then has been one of the energetic business men 
of this place. 

The livery business owned by F. S. Parker and located on Third street 
became the property of Mr. Newcomb, but after one month Mr. Parker 
bought back a one-half interest. Later W. H. Robie bought Mr. Parker's 
interest and nine months afterward Mr. Newcomb became the sole pro- 
prietor, continuing the business alone until October 15, 1911, when he dis- 
posed of the business to George W. Berry. As a member of the Chamber 
of Commerce, and for two years as one of its directors, Mr. Newcomb's 
work has been particularly helpful to the permanent upbuilding of the town 
and he has been able to accomplish much in behalf of civic prosperity, 
Always stanch in his devotion to the Republican party, he served at one 
time as a member of the county central committee of Placer county and 
has been a factor in the local welfare of the party. Fraternally he holds 
membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Independent 
Order of Foresters, the lodge, encampment and canton of Odd Fellows, and 
has honorary membership with the Rebekahs. While living in Placer county 
he met and married Miss Mary Smith, who was born in Dayton, Green 
county, Wis., and by whom he has three daughters. Alice, Madge and 
Dorothea. The eldest daughter is the wife of A. E. Cameron and is now 
living at Hakalau, Hawaiian Islands. 



ALBERT C. GRUBER. 

Noteworthy among the corporations of Napa is the firm of A. C. Gruber 
& Sons, which in January of 1911 was incorporated with a capital of $25,000 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> x \r \ COUNTIES 667 

and the following officers: \. C. Gruber, president and treasurer; R. E. 
Gruber, vice president; and August A. Gruber, secretary. During the year 
1905 the Founder of the business and president of the firm, having purchased 
vacant property at No. 10 ( > North Coombs street, erected a large shop two 
stories in height, 28x120 Feet in dimensions, with an L that is K)\2() Feet. 
Since tlu- completion oi the shop a large business has been developed. The 
hr>t floor contains a general blacksmithing equipmenl as well as the needed 
appurtenances for the manufacture and repair, of wagons. The second floor 
is the paint shop and contains the conveniences needed For the painting of 
wagons, carriages and automobiles. Considered in its entirety the shop is 
well equipped for its specialties and affords ample facilities for the prompt 
dispatch of a trade of considerable magnitude. 

The proprietor of the business was born in Warren county. Pa., Sep- 
tember IS, 1853, being a son of Philip and Kate (Obrecht) Gruber. natives 
i<\ Alsace then a province of France but now claimed by Germany. The 
father, who was of German ancestry, came to the United States in early 
life and for a long period engaged in farming in Warren county, Pa., re- 
maining there until his death, and his wife also died in the same place. They 
were the parents ^i five children who attained maturity and three of these 
are now living, Albert C. being the youngest of the number. From the 
age of ten years he assisted in the work on the home farm and at the age 
of nineteen he became an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade in Warren, 
where he completed his time. After working as a journeyman at Youngs- 
town, Ohio, he returned to Pennsylvania. A sojourn at Jamestown, N. Y., 
was followed by his return to Warren, Pa. Later he was again employed 
in a Xew York town. In all of these places he followed his trade. 

Coming to California in 1903 and settling at Napa, Mr. Gruber bought 
out a blacksmith's business on Coombs street and from there he removed 
to his present location as soon as he had completed his new building. In 
his old home town of Warren, Pa., he had met and married Miss Mary 
Schiltz, a native of Alsace. France, and she had accompanied him in the 
removal to the west, bringing also their four children, who now are grown 
to maturity, namely: August A., a painter by trade and a partner in the firm; 
Ralph E.. also a partner in the business, but now a resident of Oroville, 
P.utte County, where he holds a position as superintendent of the Ophir 
Gold Dredging Company; Elmer Wi, of Bakersfield, this state; and Evelyn 
Alberta, who resides with her parents. Aside from holding membership 
with the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Gruber has 
taken no part in fraternal or general organizations, nor has he been inter- 
ested in politics, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business. 



XAPA BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION. 

One of the institutions that has assisted very materially in the building 
up of the city of Napa and the surrounding country is the Napa Building 
and Loan Association. Many of the residents of the fertile Napa region 
owe their present position largely to the policy of this enterprising com- 
pany, which has made possible the erection of homes and the purchasing of 
land through a management that is at once efficient and trustworthy. 

The Xapa Building and Loan Association was incorporated according 
to law April 26. 1886. The following is a list of the present officers of the 
company: President, E. D. Beard; vice-president, \\ . F. [ngalls; treasurer, 
P.ank of Xapa; secretary, T. X. Mount ; attorney, A. F. Hull. Directors: 
E. D. Beard. P. S. King, W. F. Ingalls. 11. L. Amstutz, II. E. Roper, fos! 
Levinson. Earl H. Raymond, E. Manasse, J. H. Lovejoy. Security com 



668 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

mittee : Joe Levinson, J. H. Lovejoy, E. Manasse. Finance committee: 
H. E. Roper, Earl H. Raymond, H. L. Amstutz. 

The Association has matured fifteen series of stock, at an average of 
about eleven years. At the present time there is outstanding two thousand 
seven hundred and sixty-nine shares of stock with over $200,000 in good 
loans. During the existence of the company it has built, or helped to 
build, about seven hundred homes. The policy of the management has been 
a very conservative one, and this will be readily understood when the state- 
ment is made that only five actual foreclosures have been made during the 
twenty-five years. This company has made a specialty of local business, 
assisting in every way possible to better the conditions in the cities of 
Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga. 



JAMES HOWES BURTON. 

A native of England, James Howes Burton was born in 1854 and for 
twenty years remained in his native land. His education is such as is 
gained by attending the public schools during boyhood, supplemented with 
the greater education that we all gain in the school of life. Arriving in 
America in 1874 he left New York and came over the continent to California, 
settling in Vacaville, Solano county. He had thoroughly learned the black- 
smith's trade in his father's shop, so was well equipped to commence work 
with his brother in a blacksmith's shop in Vacaville. Later he drifted into 
grain farming and still later into horticulture and since 1891 he has resided 
on a ranch of fifty-two acres. This lies about four miles north of Vacaville 
and is planted to all kinds of fruit. 

In 1894 Mr. Burton married Miss Mary Lockie, a native of Canada. Six 
children were born to them : William Henry, born July 27, 1895 ; Charles 
Lockie, born in 1896; Freddie James, born October 20, 1898; Lester Elden, 
September 4, 1900; Elmer Arthur, August 15, 1902; and Howard, born in 
1906. All were born in Vacaville and they are now attending the district 
school near their home. Politically Mr. Burton is a man that votes for the 
best man, irrespective of party. 



JOHN GRAVES. 

The wonderful fertility of the soil, the salubrious climate and general 
characteristics, make the real estate business a joy and a pleasure in Napa 
county. John Graves has given abundant proof of his ability and special 
adaptation for this kind of work, for there is scarcely a more successful 
real estate dealer in all Napa county than he. His first experiences in 
connection with the real estate business were gained in England, where 
he was born in Cumberland, in 1856. After attending the public school 
for a time he became associated with a seed and agriculture company, whose 
business it was to distribute seed, etc., to farmers. After becoming con- 
versant with all branches of the work he was made secretary and manager 
of the company and continued to distribute seed and fertilizer in the dis- 
tricts where the company operated. In this way he became familiar with 
the needs of the farmers and so came to rightly solve the problem of satis- 
fying the needs. This experience in conservative old England has proven 
of great worth to him in selling farms and land in Napa and vicinity. 

Mr. Graves came to San Francisco in 1888 and became office manager 
for the wholesale paint house of Yates Company of that city. For fourteen 
years he filled this position with satisfaction to all concerned and in 1901 
came to Napa. On coming here he engaged in the real estate business, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES 671 

making a specialty of subdividing large ranches. He subdivided the Lang 
ley ranch, oi two hundred and fifty acres, situated aboul four miles north- 
easl of Napa, into ten and twenty acre ranches. This property was all 
Sold Off within tWO months. He Opened up the SOSCO] ranch, five miles 
south of Napa, a property suitable for orchard land, having a sandy, loam} 
soil; this property also had a very rapid sale. The Plass place, which was 
subdivided by this tireless worker, comprised one hundred and twenty 
acre-, three miles' north of Napa, on the electric car line; this property sold 
off within six months. Altogether fifty one new families have been located 
on ranches near Xapa during the last three year.- by Mr. Graves' energy 
in selling good real estate. He has several tracts for subdivision, which 
at this writing are already under way. Space will not permit enumeration 
^'i all the properties that have been sold by him in and around Napa; suf- 
fice it to state that he has done much to advance the community by the 
exercise of sagacious wisdom and keen judgment, coupled with tireless 
energy. Mr. Graves was married in 1880 to Miss Moore, a native of Eng- 
land, and one daughter. Annie, was born to them. 



JAMES STEPHEN DAVIS. 

A native of Missouri, James S. Davis was born in Washington county 
in 1829, his early boyhood and young manhood being spent on his father's 
farm, and in the vicinity he attended school, lie was a patriotic young man 
and when the Mexican war broke out he enlisted from Springfield. Mo., and 
fought through the entire war. 

In 1850 Mr. Davis crossed the plains in ox-teams and came to California, 
locating in I'lacerville. then known as Hangtown. For a number of years 
after his arrival in California he engaged in mining, first in Coon Hollow 
(Hangtown) for a few years, then in Gold Hill, Nevada. From there he 
went to Idaho, in 1866. and mined there with considerable profit in the 
Tahoma mines. In 1881 he sold the mines at a good price and came to Napa, 
intending to make it his permanent home. From Professor Heald he pur- 
chased one hundred and sixty-six acres of land known as the Magnolia farm, 
now known as the Davis farm, and located at Trubody on the St. Helena 
road He developed and improved the place and made his home upon it until 
his demise. February 28. 1894. Seventy-five acres of the ranch are devoted to 
fruit raising, twenty-five acre- being planted in grapes, fifteen in fine peaches, 
and various other fruits also being grown, as prunes, pears, apricots, apples, 
etc. He made a splendid success of ranching, as he had also done in mining. 
The sterling qualities of his character had won for him many friends from 
among the residents of Xapa and vicinity and he was held in high esteem by 
the entire neighborhood and his passing away was considered a loss to the 
entire community. Politically he was a stanch Republican. 

In 1855. in Hangtown. Cab. Mr. Davis married Miss Joan G. Pedler. a 
native of Halifax, X. \a Scotia. Mrs. Davis' father was Amos Pedler. a black- 
smith by trade and a native of Cornwall. England. In 1853 he sailed from 
Halifax with his family, consisting of wife and ten children, for Australia, 
where he remained for a time and mined to some extent. Embarking for 
California, he arrived in San Francisco in 1854 and resided there until his 
death in 1886, when he was over eighty year- old. His wife, formerly Susan 
Sutliffe, was bom in County Waterford, Ireland, and died in San Francisco 
in 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Davis had five children born to them, but only one 
is living. Grace Idaho, the wife of Joseph Richard Tyther, of Trubody. The 
children deceased are: Ada. John, Mary and James. Since her husband's 
death Mr< Davis has made her home on the ranch which -he superintends, 
continuing to devote the land to horticulture as planned by her husband. 



672 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Here she lives in the full enjoyment of health for one of her years, surrounded 
by her many friends, who admire her for her many kindnesses and charity 
toward those who have been less fortunate and who love her for her many 
amiable and noble qualities. 



MAURY ROBINSON. 

From a young man without means Maury Robinson has risen to promi- 
nence. From an existence free of responsibility he has mounted to one of 
great trust, calling into play sagacious judgment combined with knowledge 
of men and affairs. He was born in Jacksonville, Jackson county, Ore., 
August 9, 1860, the son of Jesse Robinson, a native of Otsego county, N. Y. 
The father died on his ranch near Vacaville in 1899, but the mother, Lavinia 
J. (Constant) Robinson, is still living in Vacaville, at the age of seventy-eight. 

When he was eight years old Maury Robinson removed with his parents 
from Oregon to Oakland, Cal., and there received his education in the public 
and high schools, from which he graduated. While still a young man he 
was made deputy county assessor of Alameda county, a position which 
he held for six years or until 1885, when he came to Vacaville, Solano county. 
Prior to coming here he and his brother had bought property here which 
proved to be a good investment. 

In 1900 Mr. Robinson was married to Miss Annie Blanche Fairweather, 
a native of San Francisco and the daughter of Julian and Emma (Stewart) 
Fairweather, of St. John, N. B., and early settlers of San Francisco, where 
Mr. Fairweather was a manufacturer. Three children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Robinson, Eva Marion, Blanche Muriel and Lois Constant. All 
of the children are attending the public schools of Vacaville. Mr. Robin- 
son has improved several orchards, having set out about one hundred and 
fifty acres in trees, and now owns four hundred and forty acres, of which 
one hundred and sixty acres are in orchard, grapes, cherries and other decid- 
uous fruits. In all he manages about five hundred and ninety-seven acres, 
of which three hundred and seventeen are planted in fruit trees. He is 
proud of his large ranch, which on account of its exceptional location pro- 
duces fruits earlier in the season than the majority of the ranches in the 
county. 

For about five years Mr. Robinson was postmaster of Vacaville, and 
he has also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Vacaville 
high school for many years. Fraternally he is a member of Almond Camp, 
M. W. A.; Tohopeka Tribe No. 224, I. O. R. M., and Vallejo Lodge No. 
559, B. P. O. E. 



CAPT. OTTO FRANKLIN WALTON. 

The charm of the coast and its activities won the attention and interest 
of Captain Walton when he was little more than a lad, and a desire to 
dispel this fascination and return to the activities of the landsman has at 
no time had any place in his plans. As master of the Zinfindel, in the employ 
of the Napa Transportation Company, he plies between Napa and San 
Francisco, and no tar of the most seasoned variety is more trustworthy 
than Captain Walton. 

At the time of the birth of Captain Walton his parents, Levi and Loretta 
(Abshire) Walton, were living in Lebanon, Laclede county, Mo., August 24, 
1872, being the date of his birth. When he was a child of three years 
the family home was transferred to Kern county, Cal., where the father 
found employment on one of the Miller and Lux ranches. Being injured 
by a mule while thus engaged, it became necessary for him to give up his 



HISTORY OF SOLAN< > AND N \!'.\ C( >l'\ TIES 673 

position, and after he came to Napa he died from the effects of the injury, 
when he was only thirtj eight years of age. Mrs. Loretta I U>shire) Walton 
wa> the adopted daughter of Maxwell C. Alexander, who rendered valiant 

service to the Union cause in the Civil war and who subsequently became 
a residenl i>\ Napa county, Cal., removing here from Laclede county, Mo. 

At the venerable age of ninetj years he is -till hale and hearty and actively 
engaged in ranching on his property near Napa. Mrs. Walton passed away 
in Napa leaving two children, the elder of whom, Fldridge O., is pilot on 
the St. Helena. 

Otto F. Walton was reared in California from the age of three years 
and until he was thirteen years old attended the public schools in Napa 
county. The duties of the ranch then demanded his help and he gave his 
services willingly and cheerfully for four years, during which time he he- 
came convinced that his interest was with the sea and the more thrilling 
life which it entailed, lie began steamhoating on the Zinfindel. which was 
built by Capt. X. 11. Wulff in 1889. After a service of eleven years as 
deck hand on this boat under Captain Bell he was made watchman on the 
St. Helena, and suhsecpiently served as mate on the last-named vessel for 
two years. In the fall of 1896 he was promoted to pilot of the same vessel, 
continuing as such until July 20. 1911. It was on this date that he accepted 
the position of master of the Zinfindel, in the employ of the Napa Trans 
portation Company, his run being between Xapa and San Francisco. He 
lias had a master's license since August, 1909, but has not been active in 
this capacity until recently. 

In San Francisco Captain Walton was united in marriage with Miss 
Marie Nielsen, who was born in Rio Vista, Cal., and two children have 
been horn to them. Gladys Irene and Vivian Beryl. Fraternally Captain 
Walton is a member of Xapa Lodge Xo. 832. B. P. O. E., and he is also a 
member of Golden Gate Harbor No. 40. Masters and Pilots Association. 
A man of genial and happy temperament, Captain W r alton is a pleasant com- 
panion and as a consequence has hosts of friends. 



GEORGE SIEDEXBURG. 

George Siedenburg is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred 
there May 12. 1849. He was educated in the splendid public schools of 
Germany, having lived in the fatherland until the age of eighteen years. 
There, too. he learned the trade of baker which he followed to great advan- 
tage to himself when he came to the United States. Fie was for a number 
of years a sailor and crossed the Atlantic twelve times during his life on 
the sea. In 1867 he landed in New York and worked there for six years, 
when he made a visit to his home country, returning to the United States 
within a year. In 1876 he came to the Pacific coast, locating in the city of 
San Francisco and working there at the baker's trade for a period of three 
years. In 1879 he arrived in Xapa county and so well was he pleased with 
this locality that he has ceased his wanderings and remained here ever since. 
His first purchase was a property of fifty-two acres, of which he disposed 
at a later date. 

The place on which Mr. Siedenburg now lives was all timber land when 
he bought it and he cleared the twenty-seven acres and planted vines on 
fourteen acres, built a substantial house and barn and made a number of 
other improvements so that he now has a nice home place as well as one 
which is proving productive and furnishing him with maintenance. There 
was a yield of twenty-five tons of grapes in 1°10. About twelve acres are 
used for pasture land. He does not give his entire time into one channel 
of his work, for in addition to the above mentioned, he raises bees, having 



674 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

twelve stands, and also raises some chickens. Although contented to make 
America his life home, he still has ties in Germany, having a brother and 
two sisters in that country. One brother lives in New York and another 
was drowned in an oil well in 1878. Mr. Siedenburg has entered into the 
spirit of this western country and is actively interested in all movements 
pertaining to advancement and progress. Politically he is a stanch Repub- 
lican and is proud of the fact that his first vote upon coming to the United 
States was cast for Ulysses S. Grant. 



SAMUEL JAMES McKNIGHT. 

For more than one-half century the McKnight family has been repre- 
sented in California, whither came Andrew McKnight, a native of Liver- 
pool, England, in the year 1860, landing at San Francisco during the month 
of June. Born in 1825, he had reached the age of seventy-seven years when 
death terminated his useful labors in the year 1902. For a long period he 
had made his home in Vallejo and had held a position of responsibility at 
the Mare Island navy yard, where he had a reputation as a skilled block 
and pump maker and where under his oversight as foreman a corps of me- 
chanics discharged their daily duties. The lady whom he married bore the 
maiden name of Mary Crawford and was born at Cookstown, county Tyrone, 
Ireland, February 23, 1829. She was reared, however, in Glasgow, Scotland. 
Notwithstanding her eighty-three active and useful years, she retains full 
possession of her mental and physical faculties and in 1911 enjoyed a pleasant 
visit to England and Scotland, renewing the associations of her long-past 
girlhood. Of her children there are now living two daughters and two sons, 
one of the sons being Andrew J., a resident of Fruitvale, this state, and for 
the past twenty-five years an employe of the Southern Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany. 

Vallejo is the, native place of Mr. McKnight and October 2, 1870, the 
date of his birth. After having completed the studies of the grammar and 
high schools of Vallejo he was sent to Heald's Business College in San 
Francisco and upon completing the commercial course in that institution he 
secured employment in mercantile affairs. Later he spent a brief time with 
the firm of Whittier, Fuller & Co., at Oakland, after which he was employed 
by C. L. Dingley & Co., for three and one-half years. Returning to Vallejo 
in 1895 he entered upon a long and honorable association with the Vallejo 
Commercial Bank. For four years he acted as bookkeeper. October 1, 
1899, he was elected cashier of the institution and since that year he has 
also been a member of the board of directors, and has filled the position of 
cashier with fidelity, intelligence and recognized success. 

The marriage of Mr. McKnight and Miss Edith Estelle Melvin, a native 
of Vallejo, took place in 1896. Four children blessed the union. The eldest, 
Harold Melvin, born in 1897, is a student in the Lincoln grammar school. 
The second son, Paul Crawford, born in 1899. is a pupil in the grammar 
school of Vallejo. The third son, Samuel James. Jr., born in 1904, has also 
entered school. The youngest member of the family circle is Edith Estelle, 
born in March of 1909. The parents of Mrs. McKnight have lived in Cali- 
fornia for more than forty years and have a large circle of acquaintances 
among the residents of Vallejo. 

In addition to the banking interests which naturally demand the greater 
share of his time and attention Mr. McKnight has been a member of the 
directorate of the Vallejo Gas Light Company and has given valuable assist- 
ance to the officers in their work. As secretary of the Vallejo Land and 
Improvement Company he has wielded considerable influence in the material 





A 




HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUNTIES 677 

upbuilding of the place. Fond of exercise and recreation, he has been esp< 
ciallv interested in boating. Largely to his influence is due the incorporation 
of the Vallejo Yachting and Rowing Club, of which he is the treasurer 
as well as a member of the board of directors. Fraternally he was made a 
Mason in Naval Lodge No. 87, 1". & V M.. a Royal Arch Mason in Naval 
Chapter No. 35, R. A. M.. and Sir Knight in Naval Commanderj No. 1". K. T. 
and has been prominent in San Pablo Loflge No. 43, I. 0'. O. F. Upon the 
organization of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Vallejo he I"-' 
came a charter member and has continued active ition with the society 

up to the present time. His fraternal associations are broadened through 
his connection with Vallejo Parlor No. 77, Native Sons of the '.olden West, 
and Vallejo Camp No. 516, Woodmen oi the World. 



CHARLES LEE C \ MIT. EL I.. 

In tht- era of restless migration, with the city beckoning eager hands to 
the youths of the land, there are comparatively few who remain through 
maturity upon the farms where they were born and reared. It has been the 
privilege of Charles Lee Campbell to continue at the old homestead in 
Solano count}- endeared to him by a thousand pleasant memories of boyhood. 
Here he was horn September 18. 1863. and from the old ranch house he 
walked to the neighboring school. With the exception of a short time spent 
as a student in the Dixon high school, he remained at home through youthful 
years and as soon as his education was completed he took up the duties inci- 
dent to agricultural and horticultural affairs. 

The Campbell family is of southern lineage and Scotch extraction. John 
P. Campbell, a native (^i Alabama, horn in 1833. received a fair education in 
southern institutions of learning and in 1856 came across the plains with ox- 
teams to California, where he arrived safely after a tedious journey. Imme- 
diately he became a resident of Solano county. In 1860 he bought fifty acres 
^i the Waterman Ritchie grant at a cost of S40 per acre, incurring a heavy 
indebtedness in the transaction. Succeeding events proved the wisdom of the 
transaction. From time to time he made other investments and at his de- 
mise, in April of 1906. he ranked among the large land-owners of the county. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary F. Morris, was born in Missouri 
in 1842 and came in 1856 to California. She survived her husband until 
January 2$. 1911. when she too passed away. Of the six children comprising 
the family three are deceased, the survivors being three sons, of whom 
Charles Lee is the oldest. 

The marriage of Charles L. Campbell took place in Woodland in 1893 
and united him with Miss Martha Eliza MacDonald, who was horn in Sana 
mento. the daughter of David L. and Martha Jane (Hunter) MacDonald, the 
former born in Virginia and the latter in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell 
were deeply bereaved in the loss of four children at one time. The living 
children are Martha Jane and Mary Morris. Throughout practically all of 
his active life Mr. Campbell has engaged in ranching. At this writing he 
owns an interest in one hundred and eighty-three acres in Solano county. 
also an interest in thirteen hundred and sixty acres in Napa county, the former 
tract being well improved, while the latter ranch is adapted to grazing. On 
the home place there is a bearing orchard of about one hundred and sixty 
acre^ with choice varieties of all kinds of fruits, including prunes, peaches, 
pear^. apricots, cherries and almonds, his place being located about seven 
miles northwest of Suisun in the celebrated valley of that name. The entire 
family have labored to develop the land and enhance the value of the estate, 
and it stands a- a witness to their thrift, energy and industrious application. 



678 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

The interest which Mr. Campbell maintains in educational affairs has induced 
him to consent to serve on the school board. As a director he is progressive, 
favoring all movements for the upbuilding of the free-school system, which 
he regards as the foundation of permanent progress for our nation. Soon 
after the organization of the Native Sons of the Golden West he became 
connected with the local parlor and now claims the honor of being one of its 
oldest members. 



JAMES MASON. 

Genealogical records indicate a long line of ancestry in the Mason family 
identified with the industrial history of England. The first representative in 
America of this branch of the name was Charles, a native of Stowe, Worces- 
tershire, and a baker by trade. Upon crossing the ocean to this country 
he secured employment in Baltimore, whence he drifted westward to St. 
Louis and from there removed to Buffalo, N. Y., in all these cities working 
as a baker. In Buffalo he married Miss Louisa Long and there June 26, 1855, 
occurred the birth of his eldest child, James, the first-born among twelve 
children, five of whom are still living. During the early settlement of Kansas 
the family became pioneers of that state and the father carried on a bakery 
in Lawrence, but afterward he returned east as far as Chicago, where he 
continued in business until shortly before his death. His wife was born at 
Froom, Somersetshire, England, and now makes Chicago her home. 

The public schools of Lawrence, Kans., furnished James Mason with 
excellent opportunities for a common school education. December 2, 1870, 
he was apprenticed to the moulder's trade in the foundry of Kimball Brothers 
at Lawrence, which was the first plant of the kind in Kansas. Upon the 
completion of his time he was employed for one year in the Kaw Valley 
foundry at Topeka. From there in 1875 he went to Chicago and worked 
as a moulder for two years, but since then he has not engaged at that occu- 
pation. Joining his father in the Chicago shop, he learned the trade of a' 
baker and when in 1879 he first came to California he had acquired a thor- 
ough knowledge of the industry in which subsequently he was more than 
ordinarily successful. The year 1879 found him opening a bakery on Main 
and Pearl streets, Napa, where he erected a shop and built an oven. At 
the expiration of two years he sold the place and returned to Chicago, where 
again he entered into business relations with his father. 

Returning to Napa in 1886, Mr. Mason put up a building and built an 
oven on property which he purchased on the corner of Fourth and Brown 
streets, where he opened the American bakery. For a long period he carried 
on a large trade and established an enviable reputation in the line of several 
specialties. Customers who began to trade at his shop immediately fol- 
lowing his entrance into the business continued with him until February, 
1910, when he closed out the store and retired from business. Since his 
retirement from the bakery he has devoted his leisure hours to the raising 
of fancy poultry and finds in the tasks associated therewith a congenial 
occupation with future possibilities. 

The comfortable family residence on First street is presided over by 
Mrs. Mason, who prior to their marriage in Gordon valley, this county, in 
1881, was Emma R. Hill. She was born at Napa Redwoods, then the home 
of her father, Charles Robert Hill, a pioneer farmer now residing at Moun- 
tain View, this state. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Mason comprises a daugh- 
ter and two sons, all of whom have left home to enter upon life's activities 
elsewhere. The daughter, Minnie Hill, is the wife of Homer Hiserman and 
resides in San Diego, where her younger brother, George Walter, also makes 
his home. The second child and older son, Charles Edmund, is employed 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 679 

at Flagstaff, Ariz. Mrs. Mason is an earnest member of the Methodic 
Episcopal Church and a contributor of time, influence and means to its 
maintenance. In political views Mr. Mason is a Socialist and has served as 
secretary of the local and county committee. After coming to Napa he 
was made a Mason in Yonnt Lodge No. 12. F. & A. M.. of which he is Past 
Master. Later he joined Napa Chapter No. 30, R. A. M.. in which he is 
past High Priest. At a somewhat later date he became a member of Napa 
Commandery No. 34. K. T.. in which he is past Eminenl Commander, and 
his fraternal relations are further promoted by his identification, with his 
wife, in the activities of Silver Spray chanter No. 59, Eastern Star, in which 
he holds the office of past Worthy Patron. 



MANUEL PERRY. 

Born in Fayal. Azores Islands, a portion of the possessions of Portugal, 
on February 14, 1864, Manuel Perry was reared and educated in his native 
land. At the age of twenty he left for the United States, and landed at 
Boston, Mass. After a brief stay there he set out for San Francisco, later 
went to St. Andrews, and from there came to Solano county via San Jose. 
On coming to Solano county he decided to settle down permanently and 
with this in view he leased two hundred and sixty acres of land from F. E. 
Michael. From seventy acres of barley he gathered from twelve to twenty 
sacks in the season of 1910. The balance of his holding is used for pasture 
land to great advantage. Mr. Perry also operates a small dairy of about 
twenty cows, besides which he has about four hundred sheep, and he also 
raises hogs, horses and cattle, which are disposed of at good prices in the 
most convenient market. 

In 1891 Mr. Perry married Miss Julia M. Lewis, a native of St. George 
Island, and six children were born to them: Tony, who met with an acci- 
dental death in 1906. at the age of nine years and five months; Louise M., 
Carrie A., Jennie M.. Mamie D. and Lena R. All of the daughters are liv- 
ing on the home ranch and have received good public school advantages. 

Politically Mr. Perry supports the Republican party and fraternally he 
is a member of the Knights of Pythias and also of the U. P. E. C. and 
I. D. E. S. Although born in a foreign land. Mr. Perry has made a success 
of his undertakings in this country. He has applied hard work and keen 
judgment to the making of a home and the accumulating of wealth, and 
today is looked upon as one of the prosperous men of his locality. 



HOX. JAMFS A. MULLAXEY. 

In Green valley there still stand some fine stone houses perpetuating 
the work of a pioneer citizen, the father of one of California's honored native 
sons. James A. Mullaney of Yallejo. Patrick Mullaney, a native of Ireland, 
came to America at the age of eighteen and arriving in California in 1851, 
settled at once at Benicia, becoming one of Solano county's pioneer builders. 
The grand old stone houses known as the Ramsey house, the Martin house, 
the Jones house and the Stiltz house of Green valley, arc substantial remind- 
ers of the splendid work of this vigorous self-made man who died at the 
age of eighty-six after a useful career. 

James A. Mullaney was born at Benicia, September 10, 1856, and was 
educated there at St. Augustine College. An hereditary and natural taste 
for carpentering decided him in his choice of work, so he went to San Fran- 
cisco to learn the trade, following it in that city for some time. His youthful 
longing for wider experiences took him next to Guatemala. Central America, 



680 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

where he became engaged in railroad construction. There he also erected 
two bridges and three depots, but in spite of his successful work there he 
felt the call of his native state with her need of strong men and good citi- 
zens, so he returned to his birthplace and for five years worked for the 
firm of Baker & Hamilton, of Benicia, enjoying the distinction of building 
for them the first combined harvester and reaper. His work then took him 
to Arizona for a short time and on his return from there he lived for awhile 
at Los Angeles. But this life of wandering did not appeal to a man who 
desired to give something of himself for the welfare of his country, and 
the first step he took toward a more settled career and a larger usefulness 
was his marriage in 1887 to Miss Lucretia Bell, a daughter of a famous 
California newspaper man, and herself a woman of keen intelligence, active 
in the state's social affairs. William Bell was a pioneer printer of the state, 
founding and editing The Alta, which figures prominently in early California 
newspaper history. Mrs. Mullaney is state treasurer of the Daughters of 
Pocahontas. Two children, James Jr. and Rose, have been born of this 
happy union. 

In 1888 Mr. Mullaney was elected to the legislature on the Democratic 
ticket for the old twenty-sixth assembly district, creditably serving his state 
for one term in this office. After a brief stay in San Francisco he came to 
Vallejo in 1893, and has since lived here, an efficient and energetic con- 
tributor to all the city's business and social activities. On all sides one 
may see the results of his enterprise in his line of work. Many comfortable 
cottages, the Glenn and Bergwall homes and the fine new City Bakery 
are specimens of his work as contractor and builder. 

Mr. Mullaney is held in high esteem by members of the various social 
orders in which he has taken an active part. When he retired from the 
chair of worthy president of Vallejo Lodge No. 71, of the Fraternal Order 
of Eagles, of which he is a charter member, his admiring fellow members 
presented him with a handsome gold medal. He is also a charter member 
of the Stanford Parlor No. 76, N. S. G. W. of San Francisco; past sachem, 
Samoset Tribe, I. O. R. M., of Vallejo, and member of Minnehaha Court 
of the same order; also a member of Court Solano Lodge No. 909, I. O. F. 



JOHN NOONAN. 

While his mature years of manly activities were spent in the United 
States, John Noonan claimed Ireland as the country of his birth and through- 
out life he retained an affectionate remembrance of his childhood home in 
county Cork. Born July 4, 1847, his earliest memories were of his native 
town of Mallow, a thriving village situated on the line of the railroad that 
connects Limerick with Cork and conveys tourists to the picturesque scenery 
of county Kerry as well as to the important seaport town of Waterford. 
Possessing keen faculties of observation, he learned much as a boy mingling 
with the people of his town and his knowledge was enlarged through at- 
tendance at the local schools. 

Coming to the new world at the age of twenty years and crossing the 
continent to California in 1868, Mr. Noonan secured employment as a day 
laborer on a ranch. Upon leaving the farm he went into Vallejo and became 
a clerk in a grocery, still later entering the liquor business as proprietor of 
a store. During his early manhood he lost his young wife, who bore the 
maiden name of Bridget Moran. Later, in 1884, he was united with Mary 
Galvin, a native of Kerry, Ireland. To their union were born five children, 
but the sole survivor is Joseph, the only son. One of the daughters, Mary, 
died at the age of nine years and three months. The death of Mr. Noonan 
occurred at his home in Vallejo August 22, 1893, and the funeral services 










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HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 683 

that followed wire very largely attended by the people of the town. It is 
said to this day that hi> funeral was one of the largesl ever seen in Vallejo. 
Testimonials of praise followed him to his last resting place. Many ex- 
pressions of sympathy came to his widow and son in their bereavement and 
the universal sentiment was that the city had lost in his demise one of its 
most loyal citizens as well a- a man of great generosity and unfailing cheer 
fulness. 

For years before he died Mr. Noonan had been prominent in the local 
councils of the Democratic party and did much to promote its success in 
the city and county. For four years he served as city assessor and this 
responsible position he tilled with tact and intelligence. Later he was elected 
supervisor from the second district and until his death he remained a mem- 
ber of the county board. For a long time he was active in the Ancient Order 
of Hibernians and served as treasurer ^i the local branch of the order. 



JOHN MORRIS. 

A long and an honored life came to a peaceful end with the passing into 
eternity of the pioneer. John Morris, whose name was associated with the 
agricultural upbuilding of the Suisun valley for almost forty years. When he 
first came to this part of the state few attempts had been made to develop the 
land or build up the villages. Nature flourished in almost its primeval con- 
dition. While emigration had brought countless thousands to the western 
coast, by far the larger majority of them had engaged in mining and the 
others had principally sought occupations in the coast cities, so that inland 
towns and counties were of slow growth. Xone the less, however, was the 
result satisfying, for the few who came were of the industrious, peace-loving 
type so essential to the permanent prosperity of any region, and among this 
number was John Morris, whose inclinations led him to the farm rather than 
the mine and whose love for the outdoors took him to the rural districts 
rather than the populous cities. Discouragements and hardships befell him 
in the early period of his residence in the west. Exemption from toil and 
occasional defeat was not his fortunate lot. but eventually he attained a com- 
petency and throughout the entire period of his residence here he enjoyed 
that which is far more to be desired than wealth, the esteem of associates 
and the confidence of all. 

Born in Simpson county. Ky.. in 1820, of southern parentage, John 
Morris accompanied his parents to Tennessee at a very early age and grew 
to manhood in the latter state. At the age of about twenty years he married 
Miss Martha Draper, who was born and reared in Tennessee and died in Cali- 
fornia during 1880. Nine children had been born of their union, four of 
whom grew up. but none are now living. The only son to attain mature 
years was John R. Morris, who was born in Missouri in 1852. and was edu- 
cated in California, and who followed farming. In Sacramento county he 
married Miss Margaret C. Bryan, who was born in Campbell county. Ky., 
and came with her parents across the plains with oxen, and after seven months 
of travel located in Eldorado county. Her father became a large land owner 
in Sacramento county, but died in Alameda, leaving a widow who is now 
residing at the old home, aged eighty-eight years. After his marriage. John 
R. M'tH^ located on a farm in the Suisun valley one mile from Cordelia, 
which he set in orchard and vineyard. Afterward he became proprietor of 
Samuels Springs. Xapa. and there he died in January. l'>04. Since his death 
hi- widow has resided in Oakland. Their two children are Mary. Mrs. X. T. 
Thoming, of Redwood City, and William R.. of Alameda. 

After his marriage John Morris took up land in Missouri and by laborious 



684 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

toil was enable to surround his family with the comforts of life. However, 
his own health began to fail and it became necessary for him to seek a change 
of climate. In this Avay he was led to make his first trip to the west. Accom- 
panied by his family in the spring of 1852 he started across the plains in a 
wagon drawn by oxen. At the expiration of a tedious trip of six months he 
arrived in the Suisun valley and promptly established a home here, remaining 
for two years, during which time he enjoyed a gradual restoration to health. 
Upon his return to Missouri in 1854, Mr. Morris took up agricultural 
pursuits there once more, but the west had cast its fascinating spell around 
him and he found himself discontented with conditions at his old home. 
Accordingly in 1857 he disposed of his property in Missouri and came to Cali- 
fornia, this time with the intention of becoming a permanent resident. As 
before, he sought Solano county and settled in the Suisun valley. As early 
as 1860 he bought the farm now owned and occupied by his widow and here 
he built the residence that gives her a comfortable home in her declining 
years. At first he bought one hundred and seventy acres and later he added 
to his possessions until the farm comprises three hundred and fifty acres, 
largely in pasture and grain. For years he was very successful both with 
stock and grain and was regarded as one of the foremost farmers of his day 
and locality. In later years he sold a part of the ranch, but left to his widow 
the homestead of one hundred and twenty acres, a finely improved tract. His 
second marriage occurred December 12, 1882, uniting him with Mrs. Harriet 
(Sturr) Hesser, the widow of C. W. Hesser. Born near Dayton, Ohio, in 
1840. she left that state with her parents at the age of eighteen and settled in 
Van Buren county, Iowa, where in 1865 she became the wife of Charles W. 
Hesser, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio. In 1867 they settled in Missouri, 
but the failure of Mr. Hesser's health induced them to come to the west in 
1872. Only temporary relief was afforded by the change of climate. In 
1877 he died in California, leaving besides his widow a daughter, Miss Ida, 
who is now her mother's devoted companion and by affectionate ministrations 
brightens for Mrs. Morris the darkening days of advancing years. 



LAWRENCE SHARP. 

For a long period before his death Mr. Sharp bore an honorable part 
in the industrial development and material upbuilding of Vallejo and during 
that era of energetic labors he gained a high place among the citizens of 
the town, winning the confidence of all by his thorough-going methods of 
transacting business and by the integrity of character evidenced in even the 
most trivial acts. Fate had given him an opportunity to study conditions 
in various sections of the country, for he was born and reared in the east 
and spent his young manhood in New York and Canada, but he found him- 
self more intimately identified with California's development than with any 
previous place of residence and always he cherished a deep affection for 
the home of his latest adoption, the scene of the labors that formed the clos- 
ing period of his useful existence. 

Born in Syracuse, N. Y., in 1822, Lawrence Sharp remained in his na- 
tive locality until he was sixteen years of age and then accompanied his 
parents across the lake to Toronto, Canada. A common school education 
qualified him for the responsibilities of business affairs. Later he served 
an apprenticeship at the trade of a carpenter and for a time he carried on 
a growing business as a builder, but eventually he turned to merchandising. 
Some of his earnings were invested in a farm and this was operated by 
tenants. The confinement incident to indoor life caused a failure in his 
health and he came to California in 1864, spending two years here for the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 685 

benefit of his health. With renewed strength he went back to his business 
connections in Canada, but in 1868 he again came to the coast and was 
employed as a carpenter iii San Francisco at the time of the great earthquake 
of that year. Later he made a brief sojourn in Grass \ alley, thence came to 
Vallejo and finally returned to Canada. After a brief \isit with relatives 
and friends in the old home neighborhood he eame again to the west and 
here his family has resided since 1873, owning at No. ( >0i> Georgia street a 
home bearing evidence <^\ the refined tastes of its inmates. Until he retired 
from active business life Mr. Sharp was engaged in contracting and building 
in Vallejo. 

While living in Canada and working at his trade, in 1845 Mr. Sharp 
married Miss Sarah I. Winters, who was horn in London, England, in 1S2<>. 
but emigrated to the Canadian shore during girlhood. Seven children were 
born ^i their union, but Only three of these arc now living, namely: Isaac 
Gilbert, now a resident of Vallejo: Mrs. Ruth A. Pease also living in this 
city; and Miss Christena. who remains at the old homestead, where in their 
declining days she ministered to the comfort of her aged parents. The chil- 
dren deceased were as follows: Sarah E. and Mary |.. who died soon after 
coming to California: Agnes E.. who became the wife 'n William 11. Mitchell 
and died January 19, 1911, leaving two sons. Clayton and William E.. the 
latter attending Gross Medical College, Denver. Colo.: and Charlotte, who 
died when two years old. The mother died in 1006 and the following year 
the father also passed away. Both were devout members of the Episcopal 
Church and earnest supporters of all movements for the spread of Chris- 
tianity and the spiritual upbuilding of the human race. In their many acts 
of neighborly kindness, in their devotion to all that is good and true, in 
their self-sacrificing efforts to rear their family to usefulness, and in their 
daily exemplification of the principles of charity and generosity, they fur- 
nished an example worthy of the emulation of all and they are remembered 
among their acquaintances with affectionate regard. 



ROBERT HENRY PRATT. 

A native of Maine. Mr. Pratt was born in Freeport, August 2. 1824. 
When he was sixteen years of age he. like so many other hoys in Maine. 
determined to go to sea. continuing in a sea-faring life until 1847. and rising 
from boy to mate or first officer of his ship, during those years. He made 
voyages to Europe and to the south, having plenty of rough experiences, 
but gaining from them independence of character and a knowledge of how 
to handle men. what afterwards stood him in go. .,1 stead and proved to he 
a practical schooling that could hardly be obtained in any other way. In 
1847 he left the sea-faring life, went t<> school and started another business, 
alter having decided that the ocean did not present sufficient scope for an 
ambitious man. and thus he began to fit himself for life ashore. 

Upon the news of the discovery of gold in California Mr. Pratt joined 
a party of about sixty people, chiefly from Lawrence. Boston and Salem, 
Mass.. many of whom were merchants and men of business ability. Pur- 
chasing the ship Crescent for a voyage around Cape Horn to San Francisco, 
Cal.. they sailed from Salem. Mass., December 12. 1849, and arrived in San 
Francisco on May 20. 1X50. after a voyage of one hundred and fifty-nine 
flays. Captain Madison had been in command at the commencement of the 
voyage, hut was later deposed and Mr. Pratt was elected to take his place 
and for the major portion of the voyage he was in full command. On reach- 

San Francisco, the party separated ami the old ship was .sent up to 
Sacramento, where she was used as a store ship. Mr. Pratt and a party of 



686 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

five others went up to the mines on Trinity river and met with fair success, 
but the mining life did not prove congenial to Mr. Pratt and he returned to 
Sacramento before the end of 1850. Here he entered into partnership with 
his brother in the stock-raising business, purchasing some land for this pur- 
pose on the Sacramento river just opposite the present site of Willows. 
Selling out his interests in 1857, he went to Santa Rosa, in Sonoma county, 
and there for some time engaged in a general farming business with some 
measure of success. When the building of the railroad across the Sierras 
began he left the ranch and joined the railroad forces at Newcastle. He 
was one of the first foremen in charge of the grading crew and later on he 
became superintendent and manager of the Dutch Flat and Donner Lake 
wagon road, and then supply agent for the railroad, a position of heavy 
duties and much responsibility, he having charge of all the supplies used 
in the construction work of the company. In 1869 Mr. Pratt was made 
superintendent of the track between Truckee and Ogden and in 1871 was 
made division superintendent between Ogden and Wells, Nev., with head- 
quarters at Ogden, discharging the duties of this position with ability and 
credit until 1879, when he was transferred to Sacramento, to take charge 
of that division. Finally, in the spring of 1881, he was made assistant gen- 
eral superintendent of the Southern Pacific Company. 

Mr. Pratt was married in 1849 to Miss Louisa Merrill, who was also 
a native of Freeport, Me. They have four children, the oldest being now 
Mrs. Col. B. O. Carr, formerly of St. Helena, now of Seattle ; she was packed 
across the Isthmus of Panama on mule back in 1852, when she was two 
years of age. Hattie is the wife of Gen. M. H. Sherman, well known in 
railroad circles in San Francisco and Los Angeles ; they have three children. 
Bradley Newcomb Pratt was engaged in banking in Riverside for a time 
and is now located in Los Angeles. Carlin E. is now Mrs. Orlo Eastwood, 
of San Francisco. Mr. Pratt formerly owned a large ranch in Pratt's valley, 
near St. Helena, which he purchased in 1871, but this was sold and is now 
occupied by the St. Helena Sanitarium. He now resides on a beautiful 
ranch about two miles south of St. Helena, passing his life's twilight in 
peace and comfort. 



BURTON W. SWITZER. 

The climatic advantages possessed by the United States over their na- 
tive Canadian country led the Switzer family to cross the line during the 
middle portion of the nineteenth century. At the time of the removal hither 
William H., whose birth had occurred in Canada in 1844, was a child of 
eight years and he recalls vividly the journey across the country as far as 
northeastern Illinois, where a suitable location was found in the vicinity of 
St. Charles. In that locality he attended school and aided his father in the 
tilling of the soil. At the age of eighteen years he left home and crossed 
the plains with ox teams to California, where he made his first location in 
Napa county. After having farmed for about four years near Carneros creek 
he removed to Sonoma county and bought a raw tract of land in the Huichica 
district four miles east of Sonoma, where he engaged extensively in general 
farming and stock-raising. A few years ago he removed from that ranch 
to a farm near Vineburg, Sonoma county, where, still hale, hearty and active, 
he continues the care of land with the same energy and skill characteristic 
of his earlier years. 

The marriage of William H. Switzer united him with Miss Eugenia 
Wilson, who was born in Tennessee and at an early age came across the 
plains with her parents, making the tedious journey with wagons drawn 
by ozen. Her father. John C. A. Wilson, was a carpenter by trade and for 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 689 

years engaged in the building business in Sonoma, where he was an hon 
ored and prominent pioneer. His death occurred in the Napa Redwoods. 
There were eight children in the family of William II. and Eugenia Switzer, 
namely: Horsey II.. who died at Napa Vpril 1. 1906, at the age of forty- 
one years; Harvey, who died in youth: Burton \\ . ; William A., the chief 
engineer of the Sawyer Tanning Company; Mrs. [vy Hasenburg, of New 
berg, Yamhill county, Ore.; Mrs. Myrtle Donahugh, of Napa; Hazel, if 
Sonoma; and Mrs. Byrl Jason, also of Sonoma. 

At the home farm near Sonoma the birth i^i Burton W . Switzer occurred 
December 15, L869. His education was obtained in public schools. While 
still quite young he became interested in the draying business. The firm 
<<i Switzer Brothers was formed and built up a large trade in Napa, but 
death dissolved the association when the senior member and older brother 
passed away in 1906. The surviving brother continued in the business and 
now owns and personally conducts the largest and oldest business of the 
kind in Napa county. Some years ago he erected a comfortable residence 
at No. 20 Linn street and in the rear of the lots he has his commodious 
stables furnished with a modern equipment for the prosecution of his work. 
Convenience has been made a leading consideration and the arrangements 
are such that no time is lost in the filling of orders for drayage. 

The responsibilities connected with his business affairs are so heavy 
that Mr. Switzer has had no leisure for participation in local affairs or in 
general politics, his only part in the same having been the casting of the 
Republican ticket at elections. In religion he and his family are earnest 
members of the Advent Christian Church, which he has served faithfullv 
in the capacities of trustee ami treasurer, besides being a liberal contributor 
to its maintenance. After coming to Xapa he here married Miss Clara 
Kennedy, a native of this city, of which her father. William Wallace Ken- 
nedy, was a well known pioneer and leading citizen, and for about twenty- 
one years served as deputy sheriff. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Switzer 
comprises two children. Wallace Burton and Ruth A. 



WILLIAM F. RORXHORST. 

A native of Germany. William F. Bornhorst was born in Hamburg. 
September 3, 1852. and received his primary education in the public schools 
there. He developed a love of the sea early in life, and as the great ships of 
commerce would swing into his native city upon the rising tide, he longed to 
see the thin-- of life and to understand the mystery of the sea by a closer 
communion with it and a better acquaintance with its vagaries. At the age 
<>f thirteen years he left home to follow the sea as his life work. For many 
years he did this, entering many foreign ports and becoming acquainted with 
much of the life of ,, t her lands. In 1880 he sailed into Golden Gate harbor, 
on a voyage from Japan. Tiring of the seafaring life, and desiring to settle 
down to a life ashore, he left his vocation and settled in Calistoga, Xapa 
county, working for wages on the different ranches in the neighborhood. This 
he continued for some time and later on he took up some government land 
north of Calistoga and made many improvements. Twelve vears after com- 
ing to California, in 1892, he entered into partnership with William Ebeling 
and commenced the manufacture of wine. He had two hundred and twenty- 
five acres of good land just three mik-s west of Calistoga. on which he had 
erected a wine cellar and planted forty acres of vineyard. The product 
amounted to fifty thousand gallons per year of fine red and white wine of the 
dry variety. 

In 1906 Mr. Bornhorst bought his present place one mile south of St 

::2 



690 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Helena, and also continued his Calistoga ranch until 1909, when he sold out. 
On the St. Helena ranch, consisting of sixty acres, he has built a fine home 
and erected a modern wine cellar. It is one of the best appointed wineries in 
the valley, $15,000 having been expended on the buildings and contents. Last 
year the sixty acres produced three hundred and fifty tons of grapes, which is 
a very fine showing. In the same period the capacity of the cellar was taxed 
to admit of the output of one hundred and fifty thousand gallons and it will be 
enlarged this year to two hundred thousand gallons' capacity. So up-to-date 
is the owner that he will only use electrical power for the working of the 
entire plant. Last year Mr. Bornhorst sold wine sufficient to allow a profit of 
$10,000, the price for the product being very high, higher than that received 
by any other grower from the same vicinity. The partnership is still known 
as Bornhorst & Ebeling. The same firm also own Olive Heights, a very 
fine ranch of sixty-five acres near Benicia, fifteen acres in fruit and olives and 
the balance in grain. 

Mr. Bornhorst was married in St. Helena September 11, 1911, to, Mrs. 
Elizabeth (Warns) Ebeling, a native of Baltimore, Md., where she was reared 
and educated. Their vineyard, residence and buildings show the greatest 
thrift, also their energy and business acumen. In 1911 Mr. Bornhorst was 
elected a member of the board of trustees of St. Llelena and takes an active 
part in the affairs of his city. He is a member of several fraternal orders 
and is well known in all movements pertaining to them. He is a Mason, a 
member of the Odd Fellows, the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs. He has 
done much to promote the welfare of the county and the people of the valley 
have in him one who has their interests at heart. 



JOHN OLIVER JOHNSON. 

Synonymous with the name of Mr. Johnson is the tanning business with 
which his name has been identified for the past twenty-one years, now un- 
der the corporate name of the Santa Rosa-Vallejo Tanning Company, of 
which he is the representative in Vallejo. The large business transacted 
under the name of the company has grown from a small beginning inaugu- 
rated many years ago by Mr. Johnson, when, single-handed and alone, he 
undertook work at his newly acquired trade, and his diligence and perse- 
verance alone have made possible the growth of the business to its present 
proportions. 

The boyhood home of John O. Johnson was in Clay county, Mo., where 
he was born September 8, 1841, the son of Samuel P. and Elizabeth (Steph- 
enson) Johnson. Up to the age of fifteen years he attended school in his 
home locality, and then went to Elkhorn, Ray county, where under the 
instruction of his father he was apprenticed to learn the tanner's trade. The 
breaking out of the Civil war was destined to make a change in his well- 
laid plans, although it was not until 1862 that he finally enlisted his services. 
The company which he joined was subsequently transferred to the plains, 
coming as far as Nevada in a government mule train. After his discharge 
from the service at Salt Lake City, Mr. Johnson came on to Nevada, where 
he tried his luck in the mining of silver in the Reese river mines. Alto- 
gether he remained in the mines about two years, at the end of that time, 
in 1865, returning to his home in Missouri and resuming work at his trade. 
In 1869 he again came to the west, this time coming to Solano county, Cal. 
Near Vallejo, where he first located, he followed farming for one year, 
after which he went to Healdsburg, for two years having charge of a tan- 
nery in that city. Returning to Solano county at the end of this time he 
undertook farming once more and followed it continuously until 1890, when 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 691 

he started a tannery at Vallejo. From this small beginning was developed 
the large business that since 1903 lias been known as the Santa Rosa \ allejo 
Tanning Company, of which he is one of the directors, ranneries are mam 
tained in both cities mentioned in the name of the company, Mr. Johnson 
giving his attention solely to the management of the business in Vallejo, 
which business lie organized, the plant here having a capacity for the manu 
facture of twelve hundred pieces of sole, harness 01 saddle leather per week. 
Employment is given to fifteen hands, and much of the manufactured prod 
net finds its way into eastern markets. 'The reputation of the company for 
furnishing a very superior grade of leather is undoubtedly the reason for 
the success it enjoys. Tan bark lor use in the plant is obtained from Men 
docino and Humboldt comities. 

The marriage of John O. Johnson in 1866 united him with Miss l.ncinda 
Owen, who like himself was born in Missouri. Four children were born 
oi this marriage, as follows: Edwin E. ; Frank 1'.. who is associated with 
his father in business: Luther S. : and Emily, the wife of C. B. Butler, the 
latter a member of the board of trustees of Vallejo. Mr. Johnson has also 
served on the city board of trustees, and fraternally he is identified with 
Vallejo Lodge, I. O. O. F. From the time that he was attracted to Vallejo 
as a good place to locate Mr. Johnson has never ceased in his efforts to 
advance the welfare of his home city, and to no one is more credit due for 
its present commercial importance than to John O. Johnson, the founder 
<^i one of the pioneer tanning plants in California. 



CORNELIUS McCAULEY. 

With characteristic hardihood and thrift, coupled with intelligence and 
optimism. Cornelius McCauley attained success in this western country 
where so many of his fellow countrymen have sought opportunity for prog- 
He became one of the well to do citizens of Vallejo, and about ten 
years before his death retired from the active business life to which his 
younger days were so energetically devoted. Mr. McCauley was born in 
County Donegal. Ireland, August 10, 1830, and lived in that country until 
the age of eighteen, when he with his parents emigrated to Ohio. He was 
the son of Cornelius and Catharine (O'Byrne) McCauley, both natives of 
Ireland. He first followed farming in Ohio, and later in Independence, Mo., 
from which place he set out in 1852 for California, with an ox team train, 
going via North Platte. Neb., and Fort Kearney. This journey was espe- 
cially hazardous and fraught with many dangers. They had a great deal 
of trouble with the Indians and at one time were charged by a large herd 
of buffalo. At one point the Indians held a bridge over the Platte river and 
demanded exorbitant toll for crossing. A very fierce struggle ensued, dur- 
ing which some of the party were killed. On leaving the Platte river they 
followed the Johnson cut off and this trail they found to be almost impas- 
sably rough ; over many places the wagons had to be pulled with ropes. 
After leaving the Humboldt Sink they crossed the desert, which they found 
a very pitiful sight, being strewn with the bodies of animals and dead men. 
who had died of thirst in their wild desire to reach the land of gold. Water 
was so scarce that on arriving at a Mormon camp they were compelled to 
pay the same price for water as for the whiskey on sale there. After safely 
passing through so many harrowing experiences, the train arrived at Lake 
Tahoe and from there proceeded to Hangtown. where Mr. McCauley and 
his brother opened up a store, also conducting a freighting business to 
bring their goods from Marysville. For eighteen months they carried on 
a very profitable business in this line. They received a- pay for their com- 



692 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

modities pinches of gold dust instead of coin, and so amassed quite a quan- 
tity. In addition to their store they also engaged in mining with good profit. 
After having accumulated some $30,000 Mr. McCauley returned to Ohio. 

Mr. McCauley was married in Ohio to Miss Mary A. Kinney and to 
that union there were born five children : James B., Edward J., Charles F., 
Anna, Mary A. Edward J. married Mary Best and they have four children ; 
Mary A. married Joe Gorman, and they with their two children reside in 
Vallejo. Mr. McCauley gave all of his children a splendid education and 
they are living lives of profit to themselves, their parents, and the com- 
munities in which they reside. James B. was elected commissioner of Vallejo 
in 1911 under the new charter; Charles is employed in the barracks at Mare 
Island; Edward is proprietor of the Bay Shore Laundry Company of Vallejo. 

In 1867 Mr. McCauley came to Vallejo with the intention of making 
this town his permanent home, and accordingly purchased two lots and 
built a large house and improved the place with other buildings. In addi- 
tion to this property, he owned real estate in San Francisco, and also a 
valuable quicksilver mine which produced a good revenue for many years. 
He was an upright and conscientious man of good character, a good father 
and a conservative citizen of sterling worth, and his death, July 17, 1911, 
was a sad blow to his family and friends. Politically he held to the tenets 
of the Democratic party but did not always vote the Democratic ticket, as he 
believed in exercising his right of franchise by voting for the man who in 
his judgment would best fill the position, regardless of political party. The 
two sons, James and Charles, are of the same political affiliation as their 
father, and they are members of the Elk Lodge of Vallejo. The entire 
family are well thought of in the city and they are regarded as among the 
most desirable of citizens. 



WILLIAM P. BLAKE. 

Vallejo has no more earnest and practical advocate of prosperity and 
substantial progress than is found in its guardian of the public health and 
safety, William P. Blake, who watches with a keen eye for anything that 
might prove detrimental to the well-being of individual or community. A 
native son of the state, he was born in Grass Valley, Nevada county, July 
22, 1868, the son of Patrick Blake, who came to California by way of Cape 
Horn on a sailing vessel. Attracted to Nevada county on account of its 
reported possibilities for successful mining, the elder Mr. Blake undertook 
that occupation with a vim that would not admit of failure, and the fact 
that he continued to follow the life of the miner throughout his active years 
is proof positive that he met with a fair degree of success at least. The 
vigor and determination which sent him to an unsettled region and an arduous 
work seems still to cling to him, for since coming to live with his son in 
Vallejo in 1893. although now over eighty years of age, he enjoys excellent 
health and spirits and mentally is clear, being an interesting narrator of 
events and happenings of the early days of California. 

After the completion of his studies in the Christian Brothers College 
in San Francisco W T illiam P. Blake apprenticed himself to learn the machin- 
ist's trade in the Union Iron Works of that city, and subsequently followed 
his trade there for two years. It was about this time, in 1893. that he came 
to Vallejo and entered the employ of the government as expert machinist 
at Mare Island navy yard, there as in everything else that he had under- 
taken, throwing his whole heart and soul into his work, a devotion to duty 
which could not fail to succeed. He had been in the employ of the govern- 
ment about fourteen years when, in 1907, he was elected by his fellow- 
citizens as commissioner of public works! a position which he continued to 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 695 

fill efficiently until the adoption and ratification by the state legislature ol 
the new Freeholders charter or commission form of government ol Vail 
and at the first election in May. 1911, he was -till further honored by elec- 
tion to the position he now holds, commissioner of public health and safety, 
and is serving as one "\ the city commissioners. ( >n account ol the pressure 
if public duties Mr. Blake was obliged to resign his position with the go> 
ernment at the navy yard, and now all of his time is given to the conscien 
tious discharge of his obligations to those who have shown their confidence 
in his ability and trustworthiness. Included in the duties that devolve upon 
him as commissioner o\ public health and safety arc all the questions and 
complications that arise in the police, lire and health departments, a wide 
field of supervision, but one with which he 1- Fully able i" cope. 

In 18**4 Mr. Blake was united in marriage with Mary Reddington, a 
native daughter of California, and four children brighten their home — Marion. 
William. Ethel and Robert. A public spirited and generous citizen. Mr. 
Blake keeps in touch with the needs of his fellow-citizens and has served 
their interests in many ways. In political matters he is independent, and 
invariably casts his vote for the best man qualified fur the position in ques- 
tion. Fraternally he is popular, and has been through all the chairs of the 
Knight? of the Maccabees and the Ancient Order of Foresters, and at the 
present time is past commander of the lodge of the first mentioned order. 



PHILIP PLASS. 

Among the early settlers in the Xapa valley were members of the Plass 
family, who came to California in 1857 via the Panama route. C. W. and 
Trinah < Shatter i Plass began farming in the valley on a large scale, conduct- 
ing two ranches, one of three hundred and the other of two hundred and 
twenty-five acres. In the early days Mr. Plass also conducted a dairy, but 
later devoted all of his attention to grain raising, stock and hog raising. He 
was a progressive and loyal citizen, eager to give assistance in every possible 
way Jor the development of the new country in which he had made a home 
for his family and with which his interests were connected. Politically he 
was a Democrat, and took an active part in politics, although he never held 
any public office. lie was a member of the Grange. He lived to a ripe old 
age, his decease occurring in 1895. Mis life was a success not only from the 
standpoint of the accumulation of property, but also the attainment of char- 
acter. Mrs. Plass was not permitted to live to enjoy with her husband the 
successes of his western career, as her demise occurred in 1859, just two years 
after the consummation of the long voyage around the continent. 

Philip Plass was fifteen years old when removal was made to California, 
his birth having occurred in Columbia county, X. V.. in 1842. All of his life 
he has been engaged in ranching, first assisting his father in maintaining 
the home place, and on the lattcr's death he assumed entire control of his 
bush — airs and now owns and lives on the ninety-acre ranch located on 
the St. Helena road, about three miles north of Xapa. This he conducted to 
good advantage until ill health forced him to give up its active management, 
and at present he rents the grain land, retaining for his family use the old 
home and the land immediately adjacent thereto. On his place are twenty- 
four large oak trees and an avenue of cypress trees two hundred yards long. 

!n 1875 Mr. Plass married Miss Catherine J. Whiting, a native of Massa 
chusetts, and four children were born to them: Corinne; Edwin; Mary, the 

■ it Alonzo Campbell and the mother of two children : and ('lain', the wife 
"! Robert Brownlie, of Vallejo. I laving lived in the valley for so long a time. 
Mr. Plass can give many interesting reminiscences ■■! the early days. Among 
the st,,ries which he tells j^ one about a grizzly bear which used to conn- down 



696 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

from the mountains and steal hogs from a near-by ranch, but which was 
afterwards shot. The development of the valley has been of keen interest to 
Mr. p lass and he is ever ready to enter into any plan or work for the advance- 
ment of the community. 



PHILIP BERNARD LYNCH. 

Sixty-five years have rolled away since Philip B. Lynch, St., came to 
California and it was in 1859 that he made location in Yallejo, Solano county, 
believing that in this young and growing town there was opportunity await- 
ing the abilities which he brought with him from his home across the sea. 
This home was in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, Ireland, and there his 
birth occurred August 15, 1822. It was there, too, that he was apprenticed 
to learn the baker's and confectioner's trade while still quite young, a busi- 
ness for which he had no special liking, and a growing distaste for it as 
well as an impatience in what appeared to him as a waste of time, was the 
means of his decision to come to the United States. This he did without 
the knowledge or consent of his parents. He worked his passage across the 
ocean, and in due time he was landed a stranger in a strange land, in the 
harbor of New York. He continued in the metropolis for a number of years, 
working as a laborer in the meantime, and in 1847 he came to California 
in company with Gen. John C. Fremont. Although this was before the 
period which brought California before the eyes of the world as the great 
Eldorado, Mr. Lynch went forthwith to Mariposa county and engaged in 
mining, and was with the party that discovered the Josephine vein, the 
Mother Lode of California, at Hornitos. There by steady and unremitting 
efforts he amassed what in those days was considered a small fortune, his 
accumulation of gold dust amounting to $8,000. With this capital he re- 
turned to New York City and invested it in a business venture, but the invest- 
ment proved disastrous and he was left no better off than when he first 
landed in the metropolis. Many would have been disheartened in the face 
of this disaster, but not so with him, and as soon as possible he returned 
to the mines of California and there as before he was successful. His sav- 
ings this time amounted to $7,000, and with this he went to San Francisco 
with the idea of investing it if the right opportunity afforded. 

San Francisco at that time gave little promise of becoming the largest 
seaport town on the Pacific coast, and instead of locating there he came to 
Vallejo, Solano county, and finally, on January 1, 1859, began the erection 
of a small store building on property which he had previously bought. As 
soon as the building was completed he opened it with a choice stock of 
groceries and for a number of years carried on a thriving business, the pro- 
ceeds from which he concealed in tin cans, a practice which is not to be 
commended, but in this special case it proved a blessing. Fire attacked 
and destroyed the store and stock, but the money was saved, and with 
this he purchased the lot and half lot adjoining, on the southwest corner 
of Georgia and Santa Clara streets, on which he erected a brick store build- 
ing, which is one of the best buildings in the city today. Here Mr. Lynch 
carried on an extensive grocery business until his death. After a splendid 
business record covering nearly forty years in Vallejo he passed away, in 
October, 1897, when seventy-five years of age. His first wife, in maidenhood 
Mary Gaffney, did not long survive her marriage, and he subsequently married 
Mary Ann Ryan, who was born in Limerick, Ireland, December 24, 1842. 
She died on the anniversary of her birth in 1896, leaving one son, whose 
name heads this sketch. 

Philip B. Lynch, Jr., was born in Vallejo June 28, 1872. and has passed 
his entire life in Solano county. A good grounding in the studies taught in 



HISTORY OF SOLAN( > WD NAPA COUNTIES 

the common schools prepared him for entry in Santa Clara College, and 
after his graduation therefrom he entered his father's store and learned the 
business. Thereafter father and son were intimately associated in business 
until the deatli of the former, the son then continuing the business alone for 
a number ^i years, or until disposing oi it to Merman Salomon on February 
11. 1903. 

Having always had a desire to enter the legal profession, in 1903 Mr. 
Lynch took up the study ^i law with the firm of Keogh & Olds of San Fran- 
cisco, and was admitted to the bar June 24, 1907. Subsequently he took 
up the practice of law in Vallejo and San Francisco, and in the latter city 
he is Still associated with his preceptors, having a large and growing prac- 
tice. Since his father's death he has not only kept the business houses in 
good repair, but has erected several other business buildings, as well as his 

lence on the corner of Louisiana and Sonoma streets, which is one of 
the finest and most modern and up-to-date houses in the city. 

Mr. Lynch's marriage. October 26. 1899. united him with Mary Margaret 
Clyne, the daughter of James Clyne. of Benicia. Two children were born 
of this marriage. Mary who died in infancy, and Philip B.. Jr.. who was 
born August 15. 1903. Personally Mr. Lynch is a man whose ability as a 
leader has brought him to the forefront and his fellow citizens signified their 
appreciation of his ability and fitness for office by electing him to the highest 
office within their gift, that of mayor of Vallejo, an office which he filled 
with credit for one term, dating from February, 1902. to February. 1904. 
Previous to this he had served for one term of two years in the office of 
city trustee. His name is connected with the St. John's Quicksilver Mining 
Company as president, and with the First National Bank of Vallejo as direc- 
tor. To a man of his genial nature fraternal organizations appeal with con- 
siderable force, and his name may be found on the membership roll of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Fraternal Order of Eagles. Knights 
of Columbus, and the Xative Sons of the Golden West, in which he has 
passed all of the chairs, and socially he belongs to the Young Men's Insti- 
tute. Vallejo Yachting and Rowing Club and the True Sportsman's Club. 



ABRAHAM CLARK. 

Relatively few of the pioneers who brought civilization and prosperity to 
the vast regions of the west witnessed as much of frontier existence in varied 
localities as did the late Abraham Clark, whose pioneer experiences began 
in Xew York immediately after his arrival in the United States and continued 
through several of the states then just opening up to permanent settlement. 
It was n«>t until many localities had been tried and each in turn rejected 
that he sought the great Pacific coast country and here from the first he 
wa< nleased with the prospects! Xo friends were here to aid him and he 
had the further handicap of lack of money, his funds being reduced to $2.50 
when he had paid the necessary expenses of the trip to the west. On com- 
ing to Xapa county he was obliged to beg his first meal, a difficult task for 
the proud, high-spirited man. but he was able to secure work without the 
least delay and from that time onward good fortune seemed to wait upon 
his steps. Eventually he acquired a large estate and attained a position 
among the most prosperous citizens of his community. 

The* Clark family descends from a long line of English progenitors. 
Abraham Clark was born in P.uckinghamshire. England, in June of 1820. and 
there he received his primary education. At the age of nine years he crossed 
the ocean with his parents. Abraham and Henrietta (Falkner) Clark, who 
settled in Xew York state and took up land in Oneida county. After eighteen 



698 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

months they removed to Frankfort, Herkimer count)'. N. Y., but after a few 
years in that location they again started for the further west, this time 
settling in Huron county, Ohio, in 1835. During the following year the fam- 
ily moved to Crawford county, Ohio, and from there in 1842 the young man 
returned to Huron county to begin work as a farm hand. Until 1846 he con- 
tinued on a farm there. During 1847 he settled on a farm in Wyandot 
county, Ohio, where he tilled the soil with fair returns. 

Removing still further west in 1853, Mr. Clark took up raw land in 
Spring Grove township, Green county, Wis., but the outlook was so dis- 
couraging that he soon abandoned all idea of permanent residence. In the 
spring of 1854 he made another journey still further toward the west and 
settled in Chickasaw county, Iowa, where he turned the first furrow in the 
soil in that county. The surroundings were wild and the markets so far 
distant that it was difficult to get ahead financially, so he decided to make 
yet one more move and the final trip brought him to California. May 19, 
1864, he and his family started across the plains and at the expiration of 
a tedious trip of five months they arrived safely at their destination. During 
November they reached Napa county and here he secured employment with- 
out delay. In the spring he mortgaged his teams for seed wheat and com- 
menced to cultivate a tract owned by Fly Brothers. The result was very 
favorable, but the next year, when he leased the Davis farm in Sonoma 
county, he lost everything he had made the preceding vear, besides being 
left $1,000 in debt. 

Coming to Berryessa valley during the autumn of 1866 Mr. Clark rented 
land and began anew. The tide of luck took a turn and he was able to save 
a little each year. During 1871 he removed to Colusa county and rented 
ten thousand acres of land under the plow. Two years later, in 1873, he 
returned to Berryessa valley and purchased the tract which he cultivated 
during his remaining years of activity, for some years having charge of 
nine thousand eight hundred and ten acres in the valley and devoting close 
attention to the management of the entire tract. It was his good fortune 
to have a capable helpmate. He was married in Livingston county, N. Y., 
November 5, 1845, his wife being Electa Jane Snyder, daughter of Jacob 
and Lena (Dougherty) Snyder. She was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., 
June 28, 1820, and lived to be ninety years of age, passing away in August, 
1910. 

The family of Abraham and Electa Jane Clark comprised six children, 
namely: Alonzo Curtis; Norman, born February 27, 1854; Reuben, born in 
Chickasaw county, Iowa, December 16, 1855; Amanda J., born June 26, 1858; 
Henrietta, who was born November 4, 1860, and became the wife of J. W. 
Harris, May 2, 1881 ; and Alice, who was born in Napa county, May 27, 1867. 
Abraham Clark died on his ranch in Berryessa in March, 1892. 

Norman Clark was ten years old when the family crossed the plains 
by the overland trail. He was educated in the public schools of Napa county 
and remained at home until 1899, when he engaged in grain farming near 
Dixon. On June 21, 1877, he married Miss Annie Gillaspy, who was born 
in Solano county the daughter of R. C. and Angeline (Hill) Gillaspy, natives 
of Kentucky and Missouri respectively. Before their marriage they crossed 
the plains in 1852, Mr. Gillaspy then a young man making the trip in the 
same train with the Hill family. The young couple were married in May, 
1853, and nine children were born to them, Mrs. Clark being the fourth in 
the order of birth. Both of her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Norman Clark have five children, namely: Celia N.; Abraham O., a popular 
young citizen of the community and a prominent worker in the Dixon 
lodges of Foresters and Woodmen of the World; Nellie A., Winifred I., and 
Delmar N. The older daughter, Celia N., Mrs. Rolla Stinson, of Arbuckle, 




< Jf/%^<&ccSZ^^~ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUNTIES 701 

has three children, Lois C, Lasca X. and Earl C. In politics Norman Clark 
upholds Democratic principles ami in religious views he gives his sympathy 
to the doctrines of the Christian Church, with which his family also are 
identified. For one term he served as trustee of liis school district, hut with 
that exception Ik- has declined all public positions. I "i some years he leased 
the Dr. Wells estate oi three hundred and twenty acres. During 1910 he 
harvested fifteen sacks of barley t" the acre and ten sacks of wheat. There 
also is an orchard of twenty acres, containing almonds, pears and apricots 
>^i the choicest varieties. Twenty m\ head of live Stock are kept on the 
farm. 'The proprietor o\ the farm finds Stock-raising a profitable adjunct 
of the grain business and the fruit industry, the several forms ^i farm work 
combining to insure him a neat income each year in return for his assiduous 
labor ami intelligent supervision. In l!'ll he removed to Napa, the family 
home being at No. 636 North Main street. 



JABEZ MFIYALF BALDWIN. 

It was a fitting close to the long and useful life ^i Mr. Baldwin that the 
end should come in the locality which was dear to him through long years of 
association, replete with memories of the joys and sorrows that fall to the 
lot of all. ami where lie was known and respected by all for his amiability, 
integrity and honesty, and where his word was as good as his bond. Feb- 
ruary 8. 1902. after long and intense suffering, he passed away, at his home 
near Rockville, mourned by hosts who were proud to call him friend. 

A native of Pennsylvania. J. M. Baldwin was horn in Troy, Bradford 
county, lime 14. 1828. and owing to the early death of his father when he was 
ten years old he was called upon to face the stern realities of life while other 
lads of his acquaintance were enjoying the freedom from care natural to their 
years. lie early in life learned the carpenter's trade, and the accomplishment 
stood him in sjood stead when he came to the west in November, 1850. His 
first year in California was passed in Sacramento, where he engaged in build- 
ing boats, and afterward he went on a tour of exploration to Amador and 
Eldorado counties, and later still went to the Frazier river on account of the 
mining excitement there. Satisfied that he did not care to locate in either 
place, he returned to San Francisco, and in 1854 went to Mormon Station. 
Genoa. New. to erect a grist and saw mill. A chance acquaintance made at 
this place was destined to shape events in Mr. Baldwin's life. Following his 
meeting with L. B. Abernathie a partnership was formed that stood the test 
of time, with its varying fortunes coming and going, hut still finding them 
loyal to each other in their community interests. From Mormon Station the 
partners went to Carson Valley, where Mr. Baldwin assisted in building the 
first house in what is now Carson City. In Carson Valley they engaged in 
farming, making a specialty of raising ha}- and feed, which they were able 
i,, disp< i-c of readily to the numerous immigrant parties that passed. To 
some extent they also dealt in stock. Jealous of their success, the Mormons 
made life miserable for them and in fact for all other settlers no1 of their faith, 
and were successful in driving them all away except Mr. Baldwin and Mr. 
\hernathie. who continued there as long as their business warranted. During 
their stay at Mormon Station Mr. Baldwin with L. B. Abernathie. Dick 
Sides and Messrs. Best. Belcher and Sandy Bowers, located the Besl and 
Belcher Sides. Gould and Currie on the Com Stock Lode, now a part of the 
Consolidated Virginia mines. Mr. Baldwin lost no time in identifying himself 
with the enterprise as one of the original locators of this rich gold mine. I It- 
took the contract for making the first stage of the Sutro tunnel to drain the 
Com stock. Mr. Abernathie shared in tin- good fortune also, and it is said 



702 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

that both were worth half a million dollars when they came to Suisun to 
locate, but much of this wealth was lost in an unfortunate stock deal. Al- 
though Mr. Baldwin never accumulated this amount again, he recouped his 
losses to a great extent in Suisun valley by following horticulture. 

Mr. Baldwin's marriage occurred at Carson City September 11, 1864, 
uniting him with Miss Carrie M. Carey, and their wedding journey consisted 
of a trip by team to Suisun, no railroad being available at the time. Mrs. 
Baldwin was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1843, and was an infant when her 
parents came as far west as the territory of Wisconsin and settled at Geneva 
Lake, then only a small settlement. Her father, Levi Carey, was a carpenter 
by trade, a business for which he found considerable demand in the locality 
in which he settled, and it was not until 1860 that he took up the march across 
the plains by team. A six-month journey brought the party to Placerville, 
Cal.. where Mr. Carey died at the age of sixty-six years. The mother, Cath- 
erine Wagar, a native of New York, died in Red Bluff, Cal.. at the age of 
ninety-two. Mrs. Baldwin was educated in Howard Academy. Illinois, and 
subsequently came to California. Later going to Nevada, she took up teach- 
ing in Carson City, and it was there that she met and in 1864 married J. M. 
Baldwin. The eldest of the five children born to them was Katie C. who 
became the wife of W. L. Burbeck, of Napa, and they now reside in Pacific 
Grove, with their two children, a son and daughter. Bertha E. became the 
wife of Dr. A. L. Cunningham, of Oakland, and they have one son, a grad- 
uate of the high school in that city. James M., his father's namesake, is a 
machinist by trade, but is now living on the old homestead with his wife, who 
before her marriage was Miss Rosa Markham, of Vallejo; they have one 
child, Bertha. Carrie Lois is the wife of Alden Anderson, and they and their 
only daughter make their home in Sacramento. The youngest child of the 
family is John Clarence, who resides with his mother on the old home .place. 
This consists of five hundred acres of land, upon which the father raised stock 
exclusively in the early days, but later put the land in fruit, and it is the 
raising of fruit that forms the chief income of the ranch at the present time, 
one hundred acres being planted to orchard consisting of apricots, pears, 
prunes, peaches and almonds. Mrs. Baldwin and a brother, Charles Carey, of 
Oakland, are the only children now living of a family of thirteen born to their 
parents, all of whom came to the coast and all of whom passed awav in 
California. 



FATHER JOSEPH F. BYRNE. 

The growth of the Catholic Church in California forms no small part 
of the history of the commonwealth, and St. John the Baptist at Napa has 
contributed its part in the grand total. In the early days the parish was 
visited by different priests at irregular intervals until 1858, in which year 
the Rev. Peter Deyaert was appointed the permanent pastor. It was during 
his pastorate that the present church property was purchased and the old 
brick church erected. Up to the year 1865 Sonoma and Suisun were attended 
from Napa, but in that year they were made separate parishes, and from 
1865 until 1889 Napa parish embraced all of Napa and the greater part of 
Lake county. The boundaries of the parish were altered by the establish- 
ment of the new parish of St. Helena in 1889. 

A guiding spirit and faithful worker in the fold of the church was taken 
away when Rev. Peter Deyaert died, January 1, 1876. He was succeeded 
by Father M. Mulvihill, who served until October, 1877, when he was fol- 
lowed by Rev. M. D. Slattery, and it was during his pastorate that the pres- 
ent large church was built and also the hall. His long and successful pas- 
torate covered a period of twenty-eight years, when, in April, 1904, he was 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD X Al'A COUNTIES 703 

succeeded by Rev. Joseph F. Byrne, under whose pastorate the church has 
continued to flourish. One of the material evidences that mark his term 
of service is the decoration of tlie church with magnificent paintings, together 

with many other works of an. It is now a generally accepted opinion that 
St. lohn the Baptist at Napa is a model of ecclesiastical decoration. It is 
admirably located on a half block on Main street between Caymus and Napa 
streets. 

In assuming the duties <^i the parish of St. John the Baptisl in l'HH. it 
was the intention of Father Byrne to build a parochial school on the church 
grounds at the corner <^i Main and Napa streets. However, before the exe- 
cution o\ the plans a better site offered itself in the center of the city, where 
it could he easily reached by those residing on the electric railway north 
and south. In August. 1911, Father Byrne purchased the Young property 
on Third and School streets. The work of founding the school was inaug- 
urated by I lis Grace, the Most Reverend Archbishop Riordan, of San Fran- 
cisco, and. Rev. Father Charles A. Ramm. His Grace then presided at a 
meeting o\ the parishioners at which a generous sum was subscribed, thus 
insuring the stability of the institution. A committee was appointed by 
Father Byrne and confirmed by the Archbishop, to undertake, with the 
I'.b'.nr. the management oi the school. The personnel of the committee was 
as follows: Rev. Father Byrne, chairman: laymen. Frank M. Silva; secre- 
tary. Louis M. Rossi : treasurer. Dr. Lowry; W. T. Kelly, \Y. R. Scully, 
Charles Rigli and Thomas Dwyer. Bids for the work were then opened 
and the contracts awarded and completed for the opening of the school, 
January. 1912. The large hall was remodeled into a school building of six 
class rooms and the magnificent residence is now occupied by the Dominican 
Sisters, who have charge of the school and the course is graded up to the 
highest standard. The school site is unexcelled in point of location as well 
as beauty, embracing nearly all of a city block between Third and Fourth 
and School and Franklin streets, with entrances from the four streets men- 
tioned. The societies connected with the church are as follows : Young 
Men's Institute. Knights of Columbus, Young Ladies' Institute, two sodali- 
ties for girls and two for boys. 

The pastor of St. John the Baptist at Napa, Rev. Joseph F. Byrne, was 
born in San Francisco in 1866. the son of Thomas Byrne, who brought his 
wife and two eldest children from New Orleans to San Francisco by way 
of Panama in 1851 and in that city the parents passed their later years. 
Father Byrne was educated primarily in the city of his birth, attending the 
Washington school and the Sacred Heart College, after which he entered 
Santa Clara College, graduating therefrom in 1888 with the degree of B.A. 
He then went to Baltimore. Md.. and entered St. Mary's Seminary, graduat- 
ing three years later, when he was ordained in the Cathedral of San Fran- 
cisco by Archbishop Riordan. His first appointment was as assistant at 
St. Francis de Sales Church at Oakland, later at St. Mary's Cathedral and 
St. Bridget's in San Francisco. Subsequently he was appointed pastor of 
the Church at Xovato. Marin county, where he was serving at the time of 
his appointment as pastor of St. John the Baptist at Napa in 1904. 



EDWARD WILLIAM NEWMAN. 

In September, 1909, Edward William Newman was appointed deputy 
sheriff of Solano county, under Sheriff J. J. McDonald, and since has invested 
his office with rare judgment and conspicuous courage. Much of interest 
and adventure has been crowded into his tenure of office, and many thrilling 
tales might, without departure from truth, or any elaboration, be set down 
for the edification of the reading public. The all around experience of Mr. 



704 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Newman amply qualifies him for his present position, the chief requisite 
for which is a knowledge of the workings of human nature. He is a native 
son of the state, having been born in Dixon, Solano county, in 1876. His 
educational opportunities were those of the public schools and a course at 
Heald's Business College, after completing which he turned his attention 
to ranching with his father, Charles H. Newman, a sketch of whose life 
appears elsewhere in this volume. 

In 1896 Mr. Newman was married to Edna McCune Hill, a native of 
Soscol, Cal., the daughter of James Hill, of Napa county, and grand-daughter 
of H. E. McCune of Dixon, Solano county, a very large rancher near that 
city. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Newman, Clara, who is 
attending the Armijo high school. With his young wife Mr. Newman moved 
to Vallejo, and for three years was employed in the Mare Island navy yard. 
Afterward he engaged in the dairy business for five years, operating one of 
the largest routes in Vallejo. He next engaged in teaming in San Francisco, 
and two years later sold out and returned to Vallejo, where he engaged in 
ranching and dairying for a year. Next he moved to Fairfield, where he 
was appointed deputy sheriff, his present position. He is a stanch and active 
Republican, and is public spirited in the extreme. Fraternally he is con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Foresters. 



LEWIS C. KENNON. 

The well known and respected veterinarian of Napa, Dr. Lewis Chad- 
wick Kennon, has been a resident of California for twenty-one years, dur- 
ing which time he has practiced his profession with marked success. He was 
born in Santa Fe, N. M., June 30, 1864, and was reared on the- frontier. 
His father, Dr. Lewis Kennon, was born in Augusta, Ga., in 1829, of an- 
cestors that date back to 1610. Dr. Kennon was graduated from William 
and Mary's College of Virginia and later from the medical department of 
the University of Pennsylvania. He entered the service of the U. S. gov- 
ernment as post surgeon in the army at Albuquerque, N. M., and remained 
until the breaking out of the Civil war, at which time he joined the Con- 
federate army as a surgeon under General Longstreet. He later located in 
Santa Fe, N. M., where he remained for some time and in 1875 settled in 
Silver City, N. M., where he was one of the pioneers in the growth and 
development of that section. On account of ill health he removed to Grant's 
Pass, Ore., where he died January, 1904. His wife was Mary Agnes. 

Dr. L. C. Kennon was a cowboy until he reached the age of twenty- 
one, when he began to realize that life held more in store for him and he 
set about to accomplish that which he most desired. He received his educa- 
tion in St.. Michael's College, Santa Fe, N. M., and graduated from the med- 
ical department with the degree of M. D. in 1882, but he chose the profes- 
sion of veterinary surgery and was licensed to practice in California by 
examination and has continued the profession that is so much needed in this 
western country. After his graduation he spent some time in his native 
state and passed through many exciting experiences, seeing active service 
in the Victorio campaign until that trouble-breeding Indian was killed in 
Old Mexico. He also served through the Geronimo campaign with the sol- 
diers and citizens posses and at one time, with two hundred, was surrounded 
on all sides by Geronimo's band in Gavilan Canon. In the fight that en- 
sued over three-fourths were killed by the Indians, he being one of the 
survivors of that terrible slaughter near Silver City, N. M. 

Coming to California in 1890, Dr. Kennon practiced veterinary surgery, 
for which he was equipped efficiently with knowledge as well as experience, 



HIST< >KY < >l S( >L \\'i > WD X W \ a JUNTIES 707 

in Los Vngeles, Petaluma, Chico and Stockton. Finally he located in Napa, 
Napa county, and for some years has been engaged in building up a fine 
practice. He also has a large amount ^i work to <lo in Solano county. Thus 
he lias become known throughout this section of the country and is accounted 
a qualified veterinary surgeon. 

Dr. Kennon was married, in Lake Valley, X. M.. to Miss Ida Jennison, 
a native <>i Amador county, Cal., a daughter of John E. Jennison and he a 
son of Capt. Marry Jennison of Burlington, Yt.. a soldier in the regular army. 
\ native of Saeketts Harbor, J. I''.. Jennison was horn into an old Massa 
chusetts family i^\ English and Welsh descent. Me went with his parents 
to Niles, Mich., and when fourteen years <>i age went to Chicago and was 
employed on the Lakes, becoming captain ^i a vessel plying Lake trade. In 
1857 he came to California, crossing the plains with horse teams and bring- 
ing his bride; she was formerly Catherine Holmes, horn in Inverness, Scot- 
land. n\ old Scottish origin, being connected with the Macdonalds. the Mac- 
Gregors and Campbells. On arrival in Hangtown, now Placerville, Mr. 
Jennison engaged in mining, then was employed as an assayer and is now 
a resident <>i Lodi. San Joaquin county, living retired. Mrs. Kennon was 
educated in private schools and in Notre Dame Academy at San Jose and 

lady <^i culture and refinement. Dr. Kennon is a member of Napa Lodge 
of Moose and of the Woodmen of the World. 



M. S. BOLAXD. 

Prominent among the men whose personality is stamped upon the dis- 
trict in which they live is M. S. Boland, the well-known rancher of Calistoga, 
Xapa county. He was born in Ontario, Canada, December 4, 1856, and spent 
the major portion of his youth in the land of his nativity, where he received 
his education and fitted himself for the duties of life. Leaving Canada, he 
came to Xapa county. Cal., in 1874 and has resided in this county ever since, 
performing his work and making his influence felt on those with whom he 
came in contact. Mr. Boland first settled at Rutherford, accepting a position 
on the J. M. Mayfield ranch, which he held for seven years and four months, 
the last four years as foreman. He was also on the Chris. Adams ranch as 
foreman for ten years. During these years of work for others he improved his 
time by studying the soil and the climate of the locality with a view to getting 
the most out of a given section of land planted in vineyard. Thus he studied 
prune-growing and wine-making to his own advantage, and later on he used 
the knowledge that he had thus accumulated. Coming to Calistoga in 1890 
he bought a small ranch of fifteen acres and gradually increased this until he 
now owns seventy-seven acres of fine productive land. Some seasons he has 
cleared as much as S200 per acre on his Zinfandel land. At times he has 
received as high as $30 per ton for his grapes, and from this source alone one 
year he cleared $6,000 and S1.000 on his prune crop. Twenty acres of his 
land are in vineyard and he has eight hundred bearing French prune trees, two 
hundred trees having recently been set out. 

In St. Helena, in 1891. Mr. Boland married Mary York, a native of St. 
Helena, whose father. Mack York, came to California in 1856. The mother. 
Rachel Xash. came across the plains to this state in 1846. Mr. and Mrs! 
Boland have one son, Chester, ten years old. Mr. Boland is a member and 
pasl master of Calistoga Lodge No. 233. F. & A. M., and a member of St. 
Helena Chapter Xo. 63, R. A. M. He is also a member of the Eastern Star. 
his w ife being past matron, and he is past patron. 

Mr. Boland is what may be termed a •self-made man." I lis word is as 
good as • his bond ami he has the unqualified respect and esteem of everyone 



708 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

who is acquainted with him. Moreover, he is a progressive man, and has at 
heart the welfare of the community and is ever ready to assist in the bringing 
about of better conditions for the residents of the county and the state. 



JAMES HENRY FITZGERALD. 

One of the early settlers of Vallejo, a man who has contributed largely 
to the growth and progress of this enterprising town, is James H. Fitzgerald, 
who was born on Prince Edward's Island in 1836 and spent his boyhood on 
his father's farm. His parents were natives of Ireland and emigrated to 
America in 1812. Orphaned at the age of sixteen the son went to New York 
City, where he learned the trade of shipwright. When twenty-one years 
old he married Miss Jane McEwen of New York, and he continued to reside 
there until 1869, when with his wife and daughter he came to Vallejo, Cal., 
where he resumed work at his trade. Through his keen foresight and .econ- 
omy he was enabled in 1901 to retire from business. He is the owner of 
property not only in Vallejo and Oakland, but in other sections as well. 

For four years Mr. Fitzgerald was commissioner of public works of 
Vallejo. filling this office with the prudence and faithfulness which have 
characterized all his efforts. 

Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald three are living, 
as follows : Jennie, who is a music teacher in St. Dominick's Academy, 
Stockton; Edward Thomas, a conductor in Oakland; and James H., Jr., a 
ship-joiner in the Mare Island navy yard. Helpful and pleasant in tempera- 
ment, ever willing to lend their assistance in the improvement of the com- 
munity in which they have so long resided, both Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald 
have greatly endeared themselves to their many friends. 



MELCHOIR KEMPER. 

Synonymous with mention of the milling interests of Solano county is 
the name of that pioneer miller, Melchoir Kemper, to whose keen foresight, 
energy and intelligence credit is due for the firm footing upon which that 
business stands today among the commercial activities of the state. Blended 
in his make-up were all those sturdy qualities that have been characteristic 
of the German race from time immemorial, and throughout his long and 
useful life he bore worthy testimony to his forbears. He was born in Baden, 
Germany, January 7, 1846, and when eleven years of age landed as an immi- 
grant on the shores of America, going first to St. Louis, Mo., where it was 
his privilege to get a good insight into the educational system of this coun- 
try. Owing to his limited circumstances it was not possible for him to ad- 
vance further than the grammar grades until he had first earned the where- 
withal to cover the expense that this would involve, but after learing the 
miller's trade and working at it for a time he was in a position to follow 
out his coveted plan for a more advanced education. 

After the completion of his college course Mr. Kemper returned to work 
at the miller's trade, working in a plant of which he was ultimately made 
superintendent. A worthy ambition to see more of his adopted country 
brought Mr. Kemper to the west in the course of time, and that the ambition 
was a happy one, time proved in the success that came to him along the line 
of his special interest. His reputation as a miller in command of all the 
details of the business was the means of his securing the position of super- 
intendent of the Star mills at Vallejo (the plant since becoming known as 
the Sperry mills, at South Vallejo), of which he had charge as superintendent 



HISTORY OF SOI \NO \\ I) NAPA COUNTIES "09 

for seventeen years, after which he went i<> Oakville, Napa county, and en- 
tered upon an enterprise of another character. For a number of years he 
was interested in the merchandise business in thai town, building the store 
building which lie occupied, as well as the family residence, which was one 
ni the finest residences in the place. 

After a residence ^i six years in Oakville Mr. Kemper disposed of his 
interests there and returned to Vallejo, being induced to make this change 
through a Mattering offer made by George P. McNear to take charge of the 
Star mills, the same plant of which Mr. Kemper had been superintendent 
many years, but which in the meantime had retrograded to the point border- 
ing on failure. The McNear Brothers purchased the run-down plant well 
knowing that under Mr. Kemper's management it could hi' brought hack 
to its old-time standing as a mill without a superior, and their estimate of 
his ability was not unfounded. Mr. Kemper accepted the position, agreeing 
to put it on the substantia] footing that it had once held, and this he did 
and more too. Improvements and changes were made in the plant from time 
to time as circumstances made it expedient and as his judgment dictated, and 
it is due to his masterly management and keen foresight that the mill be- 
came known as one of the largest and most important in the county, if not 
in the state. 

In the fine family residence which Mr. Kemper had erected in Vallejo 
at the corner of York and Eldorado streets, he passed away March 17, 1909, 
and his widow has since made it her home. In maidenhood she was Miss 
Jennie Carson, a native of New York City. Her first marriage united her 
with James McQuaid. who was educated in Ohio for the medical profession. 
but who owing to ill health had to give up his ambitions in this direction. 
Instead he came to California and engaged in horticulture and the merchan- 
dise business at Oakville. Napa county, and there he passed away. His 
widow became the wife of Mr. Kemper in San Jose. Cal.. and since his death 
she has occupied herself with looking after the varied interests that the 
death of her husband imposed upon her. By her former marriage she became 
the mother of three daughters, of whom only two are living, Jennie Cyetta, 
the wife of Lieut. John W. McClaskey. of the United States navy, and Lois 
Ethel, the wife of A. M. Stevenson. Jr.. of Denver, Colo., and the mother of 
one child. Archibald M. Mrs. Kemper is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, which Mr. Kemper attended and to which he contributed liberally, 
although he was not identified by membership with the organization. Po- 
litically he was a Republican, and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce 
did the part of a good citizen in forwarding the interests of his home town. 
Besides erecting the family home he also built the Archibald hotel, a well- 
known hostelry on Georgia street. At his death Mr. Kemper left many friends 
who honored and respected him not alone for what he had accomplished 
in a material sense, but rather for the nobility of his character, none knowing 
him but to love and honor him. All that was mortal was tenderly laid to 
rest by his brethren of the Masonic fraternity, his membership therein being 
recorded in Solano Lodge No. 229. F. & A M.. Naval Chapter No. 35. R. A. 
M.. and Naval Commandery No. 19. K. T.. in all of which lodges he had at 
some time acted in the capacity of treasurer. 



WILLIAM W. WOOD. 

A native of Ohio. William W. Wood was horn February 2. 1876. and 
his boyhood days were spent in that state. His father was a machinist. 
cooper and carpenter, and after completing his education he followed in his 
father'^ footsteps and learned the trade of carpenter. Tn addition to this 
he also learned plumbing. At the age of twenty two he enlisted in the 



710 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

regular army, Battery B, Third United States Artillery, and saw three years' 
service in the Philippine war. He served with honor and bravery and when 
he received his honorable discharge at Washington, it was with the rank 
of sergeant. 

Mr. Wood was married to Miss Marguerite Smith following his discharge 
from the army. They have three children, the eldest of whom is now attend- 
ing school. When he first came to California Mr. Wood followed his trades 
of carpenter and plumber and also worked for Crane and Company of San 
Francisco for some time. He now owns Willow Brook ranch of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres in Napa county, about five miles from Napa, most of 
which is planted in young orchard, principally prunes, apples and cherries. 
In addition to raising fruit he conducts a chicken business, having now about 
five hundred chickens, besides stock, hogs, etc., for use on the ranch. Politi- 
cally Mr. Wood is affiliated with the Republican party and supports its plat- 
form with loyalty. Mrs. Wood is a member of the Presbyterian Church of 
Napa. 



S. E. WILSON. 

Throughout the greater part of the period dating from 1869 and extend- 
ing to the time of his retirement in 1910, Mr. Wilson held service under 
the government in its naval department and meanwhile built up an enviable 
reputation for expertness as an accountant and sagacious judgment as a 
clerk. In a clerical capacity he had an experience covering many years and 
bringing countless responsibilities, all of which were met with tact and dis- 
charged with zeal. During early life he also experienced the hardships and 
dangers of war, for he was a soldier of the Union from 1862 until the expira- 
tion of his term of enlistment, meanwhile spending sixteen months in the 
south and participating in numerous small engagements with the enemy, 
among which may be mentioned the capture of Newbern, N. C. All through 
his service he was a member of Company E, Forty-fifth Massachusetts In- 
fantry, commanded by Col. Charles R. Coleman and assigned to General 
Burnside's brigade. 

A native of Boston, born in 1839 and educated in the city schools, S. E. 
Wilson had been employed prior to the war as a bookkeeper in a wholesale 
mercantile establishment in Boston and after he returned from the front 
he engaged in merchandising in his home city for a few years. Coming to 
California for the first time in 1869 he secured employment as clerk in the 
construction department at the Mare Island navy yard and for five years he 
devoted his attention to the duties of that position. Returning to Boston he 
remained for one year and then removed to Philadelphia, where he became 
chief clerk in the construction department at the Philadelphia navy yard. 
Ten years were devoted to the duties incident to that responsible post. 
Upon resigning the position he removed to Arizona and embarked in busi- 
ness at Prescott, where he remained for three years. The year 1889 found 
him again in California, he having come here for the purpose of acting as 
chief clerk in the construction department at Mare Island. After having 
filled that position faithfully until 1898 his ability was recognized by an 
appreciated promotion to chief clerk in the commandant's office, where he 
remained for twelve years, resigning in August of 1910 and retiring to 
private life. 

It was during the period of his connection with the Philadelphia navy 
yard that Mr. Wilson established a home of his own, his marriage being 
solemnized during the year 1878 and uniting him with Miss Jennie R. 
Hawley, a native of Pennsylvania and in girlhood a pupil in the Wilkesbarre 
schools. The children born of the union are five in number, namely : William 






M 




<^&x^^ g% 




HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 713 

L.. who is employed in Oakland; Joseph !■'.. who remains at Vallejo; Flor 
(.'nee. wh<> resides with her parents; Philip II.. also of Vallejo; and Fdward 
F... now living in Oakland. The family have a high social standing and 
enjoy the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. The days of his war 
service Mr. Wilson hears in mind through his frequenl meetings with Far- 
ragnt Post No. 4. G. A. R. With the Masons and the Elks of Vallejo he 
also has fraternal relations and contributes with accustomed generosity to 
their charities. More than forty years have elapsed since he first saw Cali- 
fornia and in the interim he has witnessed the sure and substantial growth 
of the state, bearing his own special part in the local progress and giving 
>>i his influence to promote the prosperity and aid the upbuilding of his 
home town. 



ALDEN B. WILLEY. 

The present position of Alden B. Willey as a real estate broker, fire insur- 
ance agent and notary public gives hut partial impression of the splendidly 
constructive and useful career of this gifted son of far-off Maine. Mr. 
Willey was born in Cherryfield, Washington county. Me.. Jul}' 25, 1840, and 
in his youth had the average educational opportunities afforded the children 
<.>i trades people. His father, Andrew Willey, also a native of Cherryfield, 
was a lumberman and mechanic, besides which he owned a farm of two 
hundred and forty acres, but he gave his attention particularly to his lumber 
business, in connection with which he also built wharves and dams. From 
his father Mr. Willey inherited mechanical ingenuity of a high order and 
he naturally stepped into the waiting opportunity of qualifying along me- 
chanical lines. 

Like many another successful man Mr. Willey gained his most broad- 
ening experience during the Civil War, and at the outset of hostilities in 
1861 he enlisted in Company I, Thirteenth Maine Infantry, under Col. Neil 
Dow. and was attached to the Nineteenth Army Corps. Going south with 
Gen. Benjamin Butler to New Orleans, he participated in many important 
battles, and after the taking of the city of New Orleans he was stationed 
at Fort Jackson, and at Fort Philip at the mouth of the Mississippi river 
for fourteen months. Subsequently he engaged in police duty in New r- 
leans. At DeCrow's Point, Texas, he veteraned, re-enlisting for three years 
in the same regiment, and later engaged in the Red River campaign under 
General Banks. At Winchester his regiment was consolidated with the 
Thirtieth Maine Infantry under Colonel Hubbard, and took part in all of the 
engagements in the Shenandoah valley, up to and including Fisher's Hill 
and Sheridan's raid, until the close of the war. At the time of the assassina- 
tion of President Lincoln, his regiment was at Winchester, Va., and was 
hurried by special train to the defence of Washington and with the regiment 
Mr. Willey was on guard duty at Fort Meigs to aid in the capture of the 

-.-in Booth. Mr. Willey took part in the grand review, after which he 
boarded the steamer Clinton for Savannah. Ga.. where he remained until 
returning to Maine in the fall of 1865 being mustered out of the service 
at Portland. Me., in November of that year. The following winter he 
engaged in logging in the Maine woods, 'in 1866 Mr. Willey set his Face 
towards the northwest, becoming one of the pioneers of Minneapolis. His 
experience as a mechanic was in demand in the new growing town and he 
engaged in heavy construction work, superintending large crew- of men. 
He also superintended the construction of the in.,, docks al Duluth, Minn.! 
and while in the employ of the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad Company 
rebuilt every bridge on the road, and also put in two iron docks in two years 
33 



714 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



During his connection with the northern state he had under his control any- 
where from three to six hundred men, and in this capacity evidenced splendid 
control, securing the best possible service by reason of his kindness, con- 
sideration and appreciation of those under him. 

The spirit of ambitious unrest that inspired Mr. Willey to seek the 
opportunities of Minnesota, in 1892 directed his steps to California, and in 
Pasadena he worked along accustomed lines for a time, then drifted to San 
Francisco, where he was with the Union Iron works for four years. He 
came to Vallejo, Solano county, in 1898 as mechanic at the Mare Island 
Navy Yard, and at the expiration of three years located in Vallejo, where 
he is doing an excellent business in real estate, conveyancing and fire in- 
surance. Having practiced a great deal before the Interior department Mr. 
Willey has a commission as claim agent and pension attorney. He is 
widely interested in general affairs in Vallejo, is a political and social factor, 
and is past commander and present adjutant of Farragut Post, No. 4, G. A. 
R., and is aid-de-camp on the staff of Commander-in-chief H. M. Trimble. 
In 1864 Mr. Willey was made a Mason in Narraguagus Lodge No. 88, 
Cherryfield, Me., and is now a member of Solano Lodge No. 229, F. & A. M. 

In Minnesota, in 1872, Mr. Willey was married to Mrs. Lucinda Butler, 
of Bangor, Me., whose earthly existence came to a close in Vallejo in 1903. 
Mr. Willey later married a native daughter of California. He has always 
had great faith in the future of Vallejo, believing from its natural location 
it is destined to become a large city of maritime importance, and it is his 
ambition to inspire others with the same confidence. He has therefore 
always been ready to give of his time and means to the forwarding of any 
enterprise or movement that will build up and enhance the growth and 
development of his adopted city. 



SAMUEL J. T. WEEKS. 

Through the medium of his chosen occupation Mr. Weeks has become 
well known to the people of Vallejo, his home city, where on every hand 
are evidences of his superior skill as a contractor, builder and architect. A 
native son of the state, he was born in Petaluma, August 23, 1876, the son 
of William C. Weeks, who was born and reached young manhood in New 
York state. The memorable year 1849 found the elder Mr. Weeks coming 
to California by way of Cape Horn, but unlike the majority of his fellow 
passengers his chief ambition had for its aim something else than mining 
upon reaching his destination. On arriving at the metropolis of the coast 
he came direct to Sonoma county, settling in Petaluma, where in partner- 
ship with William Hill he opened a coal and wood office, and later he en- 
gaged in the grocery business. One of his chief assets on coming to the 
west, however, was a knowledge of the carpenter's trade, a business for 
which he found considerable demand in the young and growing town, and 
he ultimately gave his entire attention to contracting and building until 
the time of his death in 1896. 

Samuel J. T. Weeks was reared and educated in Petaluma, and there, 
too, he gained his first knowledge of the carpenter's trade under the careful 
training of his father. He was twenty years of age when the death of his 
father made it necessary to seek other means of completing the trade which 
he had selected as his life calling. Going to San Francisco, he entered the 
office of Laist & Schwerdt, well-known architects of that city, with whom 
he remained three years. At the end of this time he felt justified in under- 
taking building contracts on his own account, and in San Francisco his first 
work of this kind was accomplished. From the metropolis he went to Occi- 
dental, where he erected the Odd Fellows block, the Native Sons building, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \ \ I > NAPA COUNTIES 715 

the AJtamont hotel ami other structures thai are a credil to his originality 
and workmanship. 

With the idea of broadening his knowledge and experience Mr. Weeks 
accepted the position of superintendent of construction of bridges and build- 
ings for the North Pacific Coasl Railroad Company at Sausalito, a position 
which he was well qualified to fill, as results proved, [ts duties involved 
drawing the plans for and erecting depots along the line of the road, and 
those at Camp Meeker and Monte Rio are notable examples of his accom- 
plishment while in the service of that road. Subsequently he became fore- 
man for the American-Hawaiian Construction Company, accepting this po- 
sition in 1906, but he gave it up the following year in order to resume work 
on his own account. Coming to Yallcjo in 1907. he opened an office and 
from the first he received a goodly share of the building patronage of this 
city and the country round about. Among the contracts he has had are 
some for residences as substantial and beautiful as any to be found in the 
city, and besides these he has been given charge of the erection of numerous 
public buildings and business blocks. Altogether about one hundred build- 
ings, plans for which he drew, stand as evidence of his ability as an architect 
and as a contractor. A partial list of these structures may be given in men- 
tioning the residences of Charles McMillan and John Roddy; the McEnerney 
and the Megerry flat buildings; two houses for James Coleman; two for 
Thomas Bann ; three for William Holmes : the F. T. Kinsey apartments and 
the W. G. Elliott flats. 

The marriage of Mr. "Weeks in 1904 united him with Miss Flora Palmer, 
a native of Sonoma county, who before her marriage was a very successful 
school teacher in the county. Fraternally Mr. Weeks is identified with the 
Woodmen of the World. Druids. Red Men and Native Sons of the Golden 
West, and during its existence he was a well-known member of the Builders 
Exchange of Yallejo. 



JOSEPH PHILLIP HANNS. 

That congenial work means successful work is a fact brought to notice 
in the career of Joseph P. Hanns, the fortunate owner of a farm of four 
hundred and fifty acres two miles east of Vallejo. Mr. Planns has pursued 
his vocation of farming in Solano county since the summer of 1873, when 
he came here from Brantford, Ontario, Canada, where he was born in 1858. 
At first he rented a ranch of three hundred acres in the northern part of 
this and the southern part of Napa county, and three years later he came 
to his present home, which he has improved into one of the finest properties 
in the township. He has been successful in general farming and stock raising, 
but his special pride is the extent and cpiality of grain possible of production 
because of his thorough knowledge of the chemistry of soils, of rotation of 
crops, and generally of modern, scientific agriculture. Wheat, barley, oats 
and hay constitute his principal crops, and of these wheat averages ten sacks 
to the acre, barley fifteen sacks and oats from eighteen to twenty-five sacks. 
In 1910 his land produced thirty-two hundred sacks of grain, the hay land 
averaging from two to three tons to the acre, and the same year he had 
one hundred and fifty tons of hay and one hundred and twenty tons of straw. 
He is at present engaged in raising sheep, his pastures grazing a flock of one 
hundred. His property has the most complete and modern of buildings and 
implements, and latter day agricultural science can point to no more satis- 
fying demonstration of its principles than are embodied in the management 
of this large property. 

Devotion to bis home interests is the consuming and absorbing factor 
in the life of Mr. Manns, and seemingly has afforded little time or inclina- 



716 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

tion for participation in either the political or social life of his community. 
His marriage in 1882 united him with Miss Annie Behrens, a native of 
Nevada county, Cal., and the daughter of F. W. Behrens, one of the pioneers 
of the state. Ten children were born to him, of whom seven are living, 
as follows: Joseph, Maria, Christina (the wife of John Romeo), Loretta, 
Frank, Margaret and Celia. 



MOUNT ST. GERTRUDE ACADEMY. 

Among the institutions of Solano county devoted to the education of 
the young Mount St. Gertrude's Academy at Rio Vista is worthy of more 
than passing attention. This institution came into being in 1876, through 
the generous donation of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bruning, who erected the 
building and placed it in charge of the Sisters of Mercy, in so doing giving 
visible expression to a deep-seated longing to help the cause of the church 
and humanity. In 1876 the first part of the building was completed, -ten 
years later the west and larger building was added, and in 1896 and 1905 
the northeast and southeast wings were completed, and in the last mentioned 
year the magnificent chapel was also built and donated by the same worthy 
couple. Shortly before the completion of the chapel both Mr. and Mrs. 
Bruning passed away, their deaths occurring about six months apart, in 1905. 

The academy embraces a grammar and high school as well as a com- 
mercial course, from all of which courses pupils may be graduated and receive 
diplomas. In addition to the courses above enumerated there are also courses 
in painting, drawing, pastel and needle work and vocal and instrumental 
music. While the academy was originally designed for young ladies, there 
is also a boy's boarding school in connection with the grammar course. The 
academy proper has accommodation for one hundred and fifteen young ladies, 
both boarding and day pupils, under the care of the Sisters of Mercy and a 
corps of thoroughly competent instructors. The plan of training as marked 
out by the courses mentioned forms but one feature of the good that pupils 
receive under the training of these conscientious Sisters, for added to the 
mental instruction is the more vital instruction in moral training that is never 
for a moment lost sight of by these competent instructors. 

Mount St. Gertrude's Academy is built on an elevation in Rio Vista 
which affords a magnificent view of the Sacramento river as well as the 
mountains of the coast range. The success and wonderful growth of the 
institution are largely due to the indefatigable labors of the founder, Mother 
Mary Camillus, who was born in Auburn, N. Y.. and who came from Man- 
chester, N. H., to establish the academy, remaining at its head until her 
demise. September 20, 1911. As is fitting, her remains repose in the ceme- 
tery adjoining the institution for which she labored so long and faithfully. 



GEORGE L. MASON. 

Few of the native sons of California are able to show a greater achieve- 
ment of success in the world of business and commerce than that which 
may be seen in the life and work of George L. Mason, of Cordelia, Cal. He 
was born in Green valley in 1864, and for some years continued in this 
locality. In youth he was educated in the public schools of Cordelia and 
when very young worked on a farm for his father. At the age of twenty- 
three years he decided to launch out for himself, and when thirty years of 
age purchased fifty acres of land which was later increased by the addition 
of seventy acres more in Green valley. He also owned one hundred and 
sixty acres in Tulare county which was sold in March, 1911. On his ranch 
in Green valley he has seventy acres in fine fruit of different varieties, but 



HISTORY OF Solano WD N \PA COUNTIES 719 

he make- a specialty of the Bartletl pear, for which both climate and soil 
seem specially favorable, and he has received as high as $5.20 a box for 
his pack in Chicago. 

In 1892 Mr. Mason married Agatha A. English, a native of Illinois, and 
three children were horn to them. Ralph Lee, a graduate of Solano county 
high school, is now attending rleald's Business i ollege, San Francisco; Pearl 
Pelton is attending school in Fairfield; and Agatha Ubertha is also attend 
ing school. The mother Of these children died in 1899, and in 1°01 Mr. 
Mason married I.neisie Marie Kinsman, a native of Germany, and the three 
children horn oi this union are Mildred. Howard and George. 

In addition to the work of horticulture to which Mr. Mason has given 
much time and attention, he is also engaged in the raising of horses and 
cattle, and IS also a dealer in and shipper <■>! all kinds of stock. Politically 
he is a Democrat and fraternally is a member <>f the Independent Order of 
Foresters, in fact, was a charter member and the firsl Chief Ranger of Court 
Cordelia. 

George \\ . Mason, the father of our subject, was a native of Maryland, 
and came to California in 1852 by way of the Isthmus, locating in Solano 
county in 1861. lie died in 1909, when seventy-two years old. at which 
time he owned six hundred acres of good land. The mother. Sarah (Ellis) 
Mason, was horn in Iowa and crossed the plains in the early '50s. She still 
resides on the old home place. The parental family originally comprised 
nine children, and the six living are all residents of Green valley. 



JOHN LEWIS FREITAS. 

Among the highly respected and well-known citizens of Fairfield, John 
L. Freitas has a place, for he has become a member of the community by 
virtue of his residence here and a member of the citizenship by reason of 
the interest that he has taken in the welfare of the community. 

Mr. Freitas was born on the Island of Flores. Azores, Portugal, in 1850 
and at the age of eighteen years he left his home for the sea on an American 
ship. After serving on this ship for three years, during which time he had 
an opportunity of seeing the world and of coming in contact with many 
di liferent peoples, he returned to Portugal. Leaving Portugal he came to 
America and after a sojourn of three months in the east he came to California 
in 1871 and remained here for eight years. 

After an extended stay in America Mr. Freitas returned to Portugal, 
where he married Miss Mary Rosa, a native of his own country, and three 
children were born to them : John E. and Joe L., both of whom are in 
business in Suisun, Cal., and Mary, who was born in Portugal; she became 
the wife of Joe Serpus, and they and their one child reside in East Oakland. 
For ten years Mr. Freitas was successfully engaged in the stock raising 
business in Wyoming, and upon returning to California purchased land and 
engaged in the same business, continuing this until leasing it. das for the 
use of the citizens of ["airfield and Suisun is piped from this place, where he 
has a strong natural gas well under heavy pressure sufficient to supply the 
two towns. 

In September, 1910. Mrs. Mary Freitas died in Fairfield, and Mr. Freitas 
- married in Portugal in 1911 to Miss Annie Doceo. also a native of that 
country. Altogether Mr. Freitas has made three trips to Portugal. He is 
'he owner of property in Fairfield and in addition he owns an eight-hundred 
acre stock farm, which is leased out. He first came to California in 1871. 
when the country was wild and barren, and he has been an interested 
spectator of it- growth. 



720 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

WILLIAM HENRY SAMUELS. 

A native of California, Mr. Samuels was born in Suisun valley December 
24, 1859, the son of Edmond and Mary (Gregory) Samuels. The parents 
were pioneers in California, having crossed the plains via Fort Laramie, 
Salt Lake and Humboldt Sink, in 1852. The father was a great hunter 
and related to his children many thrilling episodes of the hunt and chase. 
The parental family comprised eleven children, as follows : Elisha C, Jane, 
Angeline, Mary, Nathaniel (deceased), Jasper, William H., George, Martha 
B., Florence A. and Amanda. 

The first fourteen years of AVilliam H. Samuels' life were passed in 
Suisun valley, then moving to Gordon valley, and he continued to make that 
his home until he was twenty-two years of age. After forming domestic 
ties he removed to Berryessa valley. His marriage united him with Irene 
Jane Coleman, a native of Nebraska, and to them nine children were born, 
as follows : Maud R., Archie E., Dorothea, Myrtle, Hazel, Henry, Eva, 
Alvin and Irma. Archie E. and his wife, formerly Mary Smith, have two 
children, Edward E. and Harold S., and reside in Solano county; Maud R. 
is the wife of Edward Riehl and the mother of four children, Chester, Mattie, 
Pauline and a child as yet unnamed ; Dorothea became the wife of Elbert 
McCloud and has two children, Mary E. and a baby; Myrtle and her hus- 
band, Rudolph Riehl, reside in Vacaville. 

William H. Samuels owns two hundred and twenty acres of land on 
Blue Mountain, a portion of which is in fruit, the balance being timber and 
pasture land. In addition to cultivating this property, he leases twenty- 
two hundred acres of land which he works to advantage. He has six head 
of horses, some cattle, fifty head of hogs, and one hundred and eighty sheep, 
deriving a splendid percentage of profit from the latter. In the year 1910 
he marked two hundred and seventy-five lambs. 

Politically Mr. Samuels adheres to the tenets of the Democratic party. 
Personally he is very fond of the hunt and the chase and has many good 
kills to his credit, among which are two bears, four mountain lions, as well 
as foxes, wild cats and rattlesnakes. For many years Mr. Samuels has served 
as school trustee. He is known as a generous man, a good neighbor, and 
a kind and worthy father and husband. 



BERNARD J. KLOTZ, M. D. 

Firmness, force of character, tact, indomitable energy and concentration 
along some useful channel of human activity — potent factors for advance- 
ment of men to important stations in life — are manifest in the career of Dr. 
B. J. Klotz, the present coroner and public administrator of Solano county, 
and one of the best known and most successful of its younger generation 
of professional men. Dr. Klotz comes of one of the pioneer families of 
Solano county. His father, Charles A. Klotz, was for thirty-six years con- 
nected with the Mare Island navy yard, where at the time of his death he 
was serving in the capacity of chief draftsman. 

Educated primarily in the public schools of Vallejo, where he was born 
September 9, 1879, Dr. Klotz entered the medical department of the Uni- 
versity of California, and after graduating, took a post-graduate course at 
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. For the following two years he 
was assistant surgeon at the French Hospital, of San Francisco, and after 
engaging in general practice in that city for a time, changed his field of 
practice to Vallejo in 1904. Here he has built up a large general practice in 
medicine and surgery. In order to secure scientific care for his patients 
he established and equipped the Klotz Sanitarium at No. 623 Georgia street. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 721 

a private hospital of his own which is supplied with the latest devices for 
efficient professional service, and which lias a reputation second to none of 

the private institutions of the kind in the county. 

Dr. Klotz's election as coroner and public administrator took place first 
in 1906, and he succeeded himself to the same office in 1 ( >10. He has demon- 
strated workable knowledge of the demands of his responsibility, and his 
administration is well received even by his political opponents. He has been 
active in local politics for a number ^\ year*, but thus far has refused other 

offices. 

Dr. Klotz was made a Mason in Naval Lodge No. 87. F. & A. M., and 
is a thirty-second degree Mason, being- a member of California Consistory 
Xo. 1. San Francisco, also a member ^\ Islam Temple, X. M. S.. of that city. 
He is also a member of Vallejo Lodge Xo. 559, B. P. O. E.. the Samoset 
Tribe No. 22, I. O. R. M.. is past president of Vallejo Aerie Xo. 71. F. O. E., 
and is the present deputy state president of the order, besides which he is a 
member of the Herman Sons and the U. P. E. C. being examining physician 
of the two latter. He is also a member and active worker in Vallejo Parlor 
Xo. :: . X. S. G. AY., a member of San Pablo Lodge No. 43, I. O. O. F., and 
is the fleet surgeon for the Vallejo Yacht Club. In the line of his profes- 
sion he is identified by membership in the Solano County Medical Society 
(which he is serving as president), the State Medical Society and the 
American Medical Association. Besides serving as president of the board 
of health of Vallejo. he is also surgeon for the San Francisco. Vallejo and 
Xapa Valley Railroad. In 1904 Dr. Klotz established a home of his own, 
in that year marrying Gertrude Savage, a native of San Francisco and a 
graduate of Irving Institute. 

HARRY CLYDE DRAKE. 

Many interesting and valuable lessons may be drawn from a perusal of 
the history of the Drake family, not the least of which is the wholesome influ- 
ence which emanates from the life and united efforts of two of its members, 
Simon S. and Frank Drake. These brothers were born in Chichester, N. H., 
grew to young manhood in their native place, and came to California by way 
of the Isthmus in 1858. Through his services in a home militia company 
Frank Drake won the title of captain, and wherever he went he was generally 
known as Captain Drake. Throughout their lives the brothers were almost 
inseparable companions, business necessity alone separating them, and then, 
no longer than was absolutely essential. After casting about for a suitable 
place to locate they finally agreed on Vallejo as a promising location and made 
it their headquarters while they went on prospecting expeditions to Nevada 
and Idaho. From the latter place Frank Drake went to Mexico, where he 
became superintendent and manager of a large mine owned by London capi- 
talists, and until 1897 he continued in the employ of the company. During 
this time, in the interests of the business, he made several trips across the 
ocean, and altogether had considerable experience as a traveler. By nature 
hospitable and genial, he was a friend worthy the name and a companion 
whose influence radiated sunshine and happiness. 

What was known as the Farmer ranch was purchased in 1870 by the 
brothers, the tract containing three hundred and seventy acres, located a 
few miles east of Vallejo. Here they erected a comfortable residence, good 
barns and other buildings, and planted both shade and fruit trees. It was 
the decision of the brothers that Simon S. Drake should live upon and con- 
duct the ranch in the interest of both, making a specialty of stock raising 
and grain. The original policy was adhered to for seven years, when it was 
decided to give attention more especially to breeding fancy stock, and it may 



722 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

be said that it was to this decision and its development that the name of 
Drake became so well known throughout northern California in track circles. 
In pursuance of the plan they bought the famous stallion Admiral, of Ham- 
bletonian stock, and set apart one portion of the ranch for a race course, 
making a fine track for training purposes. At no time did the venture have 
the appearance of an experiment, and Simon S. Drake soon became well 
known as an authority on fancy stock breeding and also in racing circles. 
One of the best products of the ranch was Sister, whose record of 2 :17 brought 
her owners $2,000. A number of other horses won records of 2:30 and sold 
for between $1,000 and $1,500. The moving spirit in this enterprise died in 
1885, after which the business was continued by his eldest son until 1891, 
when the horses were disposed of. After the death of his brother, Frank 
Drake lived in comparative retirement until his death in 1908. He left a wife, 
formerly Miss Lyphene Shaw, and a daughter named Clara, the latter the 
wife of James D. Wittman, of Jackson, Ohio. 

The marriage of Simon S. Drake united him with Miss Thurza Craven, 
and their eldest child, Walter Frank, was born in Ray county. Mo. The 
two youngest children were born in Vallejo, Harry Clyde, April 14, 1871, and 
Joey Howard in September, 1872. Fraternally the father of these children 
was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Odd Fel- 
lows ; and in his political belief he was a Republican. If one interest more 
than another claimed his attention outside of his personal affairs it was pro- 
viding the younger generation with good school facilities, and his indefati- 
gable labor along this line was the means of his being known as the father 
of the Hunter district school, on the board of which he served as trustee and 
clerk for a number of years. 

Next to the oldest child of his parents, H. Clyde Drake has never 
known any other home than the ranch upon which he now lives. Upon 
the completion of his education in the local schools he shared the duties of 
the home ranch with his father, until the death of the latter, when he and 
his elder brother, Walter F., continued the ranch interests. In the mean- 
time the youngest brother, Joey, had failed in health to such an extent that 
a change of climate was deemed imperative, and in 1899 Walter F. sailed 
with him for Honolulu. The effort to restore his health proved fruitless, and 
the brothers returned home only a short time before the death of the invalid. 
During his stay in Honolulu, Walter F. Drake became favorably impressed 
with the country and subsequently secured employment with the govern- 
ment and has since made his home there. As a result of the circumstances 
just related, the death of the youngest brother and the removal of the eldest 
to Honolulu, the home ranch has become the property of H. Clyde Drake, 
and here he lives with his family, which, besides his wife and children, in- 
cludes his mother, and until 1908 his Uncle Frank was also of the home circle. 
The ranch comprises three hundred and seventy acres of choice land, well 
adapted to the varied crops to which it is devoted. Mr. Drake believes in 
doing well whatever he undertakes, and none but the finest breeds of horses 
and cattle are to be found on the place. Besides raising fine draft horses, 
he breeds Berkshire hogs with good financial results. In fact, no branch 
of agriculture undertaken by the owner fails under his experienced hand. 
During the year 1910 his land yielded two hundred and twenty-five tons of 
hay ; eleven hundred sacks of wheat ; six hundred sacks of oats ; and seven 
hundred sacks of barley. He is one of the most public-spirited citizens in 
Solano county, and is nobly sustaining the reputation for generous helpful- 
ness won by his worthy father and uncle. His marriage united him' with 
Miss Nellie Raines, who was born near Vallejo, and their four children are 
named Naomi, Frances, Thurza and Flarry Clyde Jr. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\1> NAPA COUNTIES 725 

HENRY GOOSEN. 

The founder oi the Goosen Family in the United States was Frederick, a 
native of Germany, born in 1811, and a typical representative of his race in 
quiet perseverance, frugal economy and sagacious thrift. In search of 
iter opportunities than his own land afforded he came to the new world 
m 1852 and after an uneventful but tedious journey of six months and two 
weeks he arrived in California, settling in Solano county. Immediately 
afterward he settled on a ranch in this count} and took up the wearisome 
task i>\ converting a raw tract ^i land into a productive property. There 
came with him to the then lonely frontier ranch his wife, who bore the 
maiden name ni Christina Evers, and was bom in Germany in 1824. The 
two worked with the utmost diligence for many years and the reward of 
their efforts was to he seen in the tine farm they developed and the sturdy 
family they reared to lives ^i usefulness. The father died on the old home- 
stead in 1879 and the mother still remains at the same place, giving over 
to others, however, the cares she once assumed with a willing spirit and 
ready hand. Of her children there are four daughters and two sons now 
living and all are residents of Solano county. 

Born at the old homestead in this county January 23. 1860, Henry 
Goosen attended the schools of Green valley and Suisun. At the age of 
twelve years he became an inmate of the home of David Hale of the Suisun 
valley and with him he remained for about eight years. When only sixteen 
years of age he operated a steam engine. With a natural bent for mechanical 
art-, he cultivated this talent through his work in the machine shop of J. L. 
Heald at Yallejo. being employed there in the winter months, while laboring 
on the farm in the summer. With Christopher Harder and Henry Dittmer at 
the age of nineteen years he bought a threshing outfit. After operating the 
same for one season the two others bought Mr. Harder's interest and con- 
tinued together for several years. During 1886 Mr. Goosen bought the 
old mill at Cordelia from W. W. Mason and soon converted the building 
into a blacksmith and repair shop, a general implement factory and a hard- 
ware store. For twenty-one years he managed and conducted the business 
and met with a commendable measure of success. 

The -first acquisition of financial interests by Mr. Goosen in Fairfield oc- 
curred in January. 1902. when he purchased the city water works and this 
plant he still owns and manages. He built up the water works practically 
from nothing, as he purchased the plant immediately after it had been 
burned down, and in ten years' time it has become a plant of large pro- 
portion- and modern in every way. The site of his wells has the distinction 
of being the only place in the vicinity where in early days the Indians 
could get fresh water. It was a large flowing spring, and was not only 
known by the Indians, but the early freighters and travelers made the old 
road lead by way of the springs on account of securing good fresh water 
for man and beast. Mr. Goosen now has twenty-eight wells and is con- 
tinually adding others. The deepest well is over eight hundred feet, the 
water coming from a gravel bed. The springs are equipped with good 
pumping plant, and the reservoir, which is seventy feet high, gives ample 
pressure for domestic use. Mr. Goosen is now installing an air pressure 
-y-tem to lift the water, which lessens the expense of pumping and when 
finished will be a complete air lift system. This plant furnishes water for 
Fairfield, a place of nearly one thousand population, and also at times 
the adjoining town of Suisun, of about seven hundred inhabitants, whenever 
the source of their supply becomes exhausted. Tt is greatly to the credit 
of Mr. (ioosen that on each occasion he has come cheerfully forward and 
furnished the citizens of his neighboring town with an abundance of pure 
water in their need, and he does this with magnanimity and without prejudice 



726 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

or insistence on a permanent contract, and the citizens of Fairfield are to 
be congratulated on having such an abundance of pure water, for there are 
so many towns in California that have an inadequate water supply. Two 
years after he bought the water plant he opened a general hardware store 
in Fairfield and in 1907 he moved to this place, where since he has made his 
home. January 10, 1897, he was united in marriage in Napa with Miss 
Catherine Marie Stark, a native of Tipton, Iowa, but a resident of California 
from the age of five years. Her father, Andrew Stark, was born and reared 
in Germany, but came to the United States in early manhood and settled 
in Iowa, living in that state until his removal to the western coast. In Iowa 
he met and married Miss Margaret Ann Carthy, a native of New York state. 
Mr. and Mrs. Goosen are the parents of three children, all natives of Cordelia 
and all now students in the Fairfield schools. They are as follows : Victor 
Henry, born October 26, 1898; Howard Norman, September 27, 1900; and 
Earl Phelps, September 29, 1902. The family recently completed a very 
elegant residence, in Fairfield, the architecture being of the old colonial style, 
with all modern conveniences, finished in hardwood, with paneled battens and 
beam ceiling and massive fireplaces. The structure is an ornament to tn 
town as well as one of the finest in the entire county. 

Besides conducting the hardware business and the water works at Fair- 
field Mr. Goosen is an active member and ex-president of the Merchants' 
Association of Suisun and Fairfield, is a stockholder in the Roachdale Store 
and the Green and Suisun Valley Telephone Company, and the Winters 
Canning Company of Suisun, and for- more than twenty years has been 
the Solano county agent for the Aermotor Company. A valuable list of 
property in Solano county is held under his title and he also owns realty 
in Stockton, this state. To him belongs the distinction of being the first 
man to secure fresh water in the Suisun and Vallejo marshes of Solano 
county, and he further can claim the merit of having bored more wells and 
secured a greater amount of fresh water than any one else in the entire 
county. Though not partisan in his preferences he believes enthusiastically 
in Republican principles and always supports the party by his ballot. 



EUGENE L. WEBBER. 

There are few positions in Napa county calling for greater energy and 
none demanding greater tact than the office of superintendent of the county 
infirmary, which is now being filled by Eugene L. Webber with a resource- 
fulness and an ability peculiarly his own. The fact that he was born in 
Yountville and has been one of the county's life-long residents, gives him a 
knowledge of local conditions and perplexing problems not possessed by many 
of alien birth or of brief residence here. The added fact that he is still a 
young man (born in 1881) is evidence that he also is enthusiastic, full of 
energy, undaunted by obstacles and displaying under all circumstances an 
optimism and a courage that characterize youth the wide world over. 

The Webber family has been identified with California for more than forty 
years. The original settler in the west was John L. Webber, who for years 
has been a prominent citizen of Napa county and now represents the Yount- 
ville district as a member of the board of county supervisors. Born in Maine 
in 1849, he grew to manhood in his eastern home and early learned the 
lessons of thrift and industry that later formed the foundation of his suc- 
cess. Upon starting out in the world for himself he came west in 1870 and 
settled at Virginia City, Nevada, where he remained for six years. Upon 
his removal to Napa county, Cal., in 1876 he settled near Yountville and 
embarked in farm activities, raising hay and grain, besides making a spe- 
cialty of milch cows and hogs. In addition he operated a threshing machine 






HISTORY OF SOLANO ANT) NAPA COUNTIES 727 

for m;inv vears. In the management of his varied interests he exhibited keen 
judgment ami untiring energy. When eventually he retired from ranching 
it was with a competency that represented a gratifying return for his years 
of labor. 

After coming to California and settling in Napa county, Mr. Webber 
married Miss Sarah J. Grigsby. who was born and reared in this county. 
By this union he is the father of three son-. Eugene 1... Samuel and Warren. 
Since his retirement from the ranch he has made his home in Yountville 
and there he has a comfortable residence as well as other holdings of value. 
From his arrival in this county he has been more or less connected with 
public affairs. His interest in progressive project- has been unceasing. By 
his influence and assistance he has aided many forward enterprises. Besides 
the helpful work he has done as a private citizen, he has been a large factor 
in county activities since his first election as county supervisor in the fall of 
l c K)4. During the fall of 1908 he was chosen for a second term and is now 
serving his district in that capacity. 

The public schools of Yountville afforded fair advantages to Eugene L. 
Webber. After leaving school he worked as a ranch hand for several years, 
but then returned to Yountville and embarked in the mercantile business. 
Four years afterward, in April. 1909, he received the appointment as superin- 
tendent of the county infirmary, in which responsible capacity he has given 
evidence of ability of a superior order. On May 5, 1907, he was united in 
marriage with Mrs. Maude Gibbs. by whom he has a daughter, Evelyn. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of St. Helena Lodge, K. P., and also belongs to the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. 



JOHN B. FRESE. 

An epoch of intelligent and prosperous activity in agriculture is repre- 
sented by the interval between the date of Mr. Frese's arrival in the United 
States, in 1851, at the age of twenty-one years, and the date of his demise 
in California, in 1905, at the age of seventy-five years. His views concerning 
the resources and opportunities of California were most optimistic, indicating 
far-seeing discrimination and sagacious judgment concerning valuations. 
Carrying out in practice his ideas concerning land, he invested heavily when 
prices were low and witnessed a steady advance in prices, although he passed 
away before the most noteworthy advances had been made. 

Germany was the native land of Mr. Frese and July 4. 1830, the date of 
his birth. On his way across the continent he stopped temporarily at St. 
Louis and from there proceeded to California, settling first in Contra Costa 
county. When he became a resident of Solano county he took up one hun- 
dred and sixty acres and also operated another quarter section which his 
wife owned. Working industriously and saving carefully, he was able in 
time to buy four hundred and eighty acres adjacent to his ranch, and this 
gave him control of a very large tract, utilized for general farming and stock 
raising. After a prosperous career in Solano county he sold his holdings 
there and moved to Shasta county, where he bought a stock range of eleven 
hundred acres. Fourteen years he spent on that ranch, which eventually he 
traded for other property, including a residence in Red Bluff. In that city 
his last days were happily passed and there his death occurred, bringing to 
an end an existence largely devoted to pioneer labors and crowned by the 
respect of a large circle of acquaintances. 

After taking the oath of allegiance to the United States and studying 
the political situation of the country, J. B. Frese became a supporter of 
Democratic principles and always remained an adherent of that party. He 



728 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. After coming to 
the west, he married Miss Rose Forester, a native of Germany, who bore him 
seven children : Herman, a resident of Santa Rosa ; Albert F., who makes 
his home in Santa Cruz; Bernard G., one of the well-known farmers of Solano 
county ; Henry G., who married Polly Ann Forester and lives in San Fran- 
cisco; Charles H., of Shasta county; Fannie, Mrs. Andrew Bushard, deceased; 
and Rose M., married to John Roberts and living in Arizona. 

Miss Hattie Kiesker, a native daughter of the state, became the wife 
of Bernard G. Frese and bore him two children, Clarence B. and Hildred M. 
For years identified with the farm interests of Solano county, Mr. Frese is 
farming under lease two hundred and eighty-two acres of the Kiesker land, 
giving him the control of a valuable tract, of which one hundred and twenty 
acres are under cultivation to barley. Aside from grain-raising he is also 
raising stock. Reared in the Democratic faith, he adheres to his party affilia- 
tions in national elections, but in local politics aims to vote for the best man. 
He has fraternal relations with the Woodmen and the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows at Dixon. 



MRS. BENJAMIN KELSEY. 

Probably the most interesting character in all California was Mrs. Ben- 
jamin Kelsey, widow of Benjamin Kelsey, the pioneer. She was a historic 
character, having been the first woman to cross the plains and the Sierras, 
making the long and hazardous trip to California, and long the oldest living 
pioneer of Napa county. She was a native Kentuckian, born in 1823. She 
married, at an early age, Benjamin Kelsey, and in 1841 they, with a party 
of twenty-three people, started to cross the plains and mountains to Cali- 
fornia. The party included besides Captain Fitzpatrick, who was pilot, a 
boy named John Bidwell, who later became prominent in California history, 
and Capt. Joseph B. Chiles. The journey was fraught with innumerable hard- 
ships, and their courage became well-nigh exhausted when four pack-horses 
fell over a bluff, leaving them with very scanty provisions. For days they 
lived on roasted acorns and Mr. Kelsey becoming very ill, the party decided 
to leave him to die of hunger. This Mrs. Kelsey refused to do, so they killed 
one of the pack horses and lived on the meat for a few days until the men 
were able to hunt some game. Finally on Christmas Day, they arrived at 
Fort Sutter. In 1843 they went to Lake county and from there started for 
Oregon. On returning from Oregon, Mr. Kelsey located with his family in 
Napa valley, but on the outbreak of the war with Mexico he and his family 
were compelled to go to the fort in Sonoma, where they remained for some 
time. Mr. Kelsey and General Vallejo built a sawmill on Sonoma creek. 
Gold was discovered at that time and Mr. Kelsey went to the mines, where 
he had good luck. On one trip of ten days he returned with $1,000. On his 
second trip he took a flock of sheep and brought back $1,600. In the mean- 
time he applied for a grant of land on Clear Lake in Lake county. At this 
place his brother, Andrew Kelsey, and Charles Stone were killed by the 
Indians. 

In 1850 the company went to Humboldt, shipping the goods by water and 
taking the stock by land. Here again they were forced to kill Indians. On 
this trip they helped to start three towns, Kelseyville, Areata and Eureka. 
But the trip did not prove a financial success, as they failed to get a good 
price for their ranch near Kelseyville, and they returned to Sonoma by boat. 
Because of Mr. Kelsey's health, the family traveled to Mexico in 1861 and 
from there drifted into Texas, where in an encounter with Comanche Indians 
the oldest daughter was scalped, from the effects of which she died at the 
age of eighteen years, six years after the wound had been inflicted. 







3 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \M> NAPA COUNTIES 731 

The death of Mr. Kelsey occurred in 1888 in Los Angeles, and Mrs. Kelsey 
spent her last days in the Cuyamaca mountains, in San Diego county, where 
she occupied a pour and humble dwelling, enabled t<> make a scanty living 
by raising a Fen chickens. Tims this old pioneer passed the evening oi her 
life, until, full of years and of honor, she passed awaj 



LOUIS MANGELS. 

Among the immigrants who landed in New York harbor in the year 
1866 was John Henry Mangels, hi> wife Maria and their seven children, 
three sons and four daughters. The father was born in Hanover, Germany, 

in the year 180J. and was therefore sixty-two years of age at the time he 
transferred hi> residence to the new world. The parental family originally 
comprised eleven children, and of those who attained maturity we mention 
the following: Anna became the wife of Clans Spreckels and died in San 
Francisco; Claus, who was in business in that city, also died there; Katherine 
became the wife oi 11. Burmeister and died in the Suisun valley; Mary. Mrs. 
II. Grotheer, resides in San Francisco; Sophia, Mrs. C. Brommer, is also a 
resident oi that city: John Henry died in Santa Cruz; and Louis is the 
subject of this article. The mother of these children died in her seventy- 
second year, and the father lived to attain the age of eighty-six. 

When he was a lad ^i fourteen years Louis Mangels landed in New York 
City with his parents, and after sight-seeing there for ten days they embarked 
on a boat bound for the Pacific coast by way of the Isthmus of Panama. 
On June 22. 1866. they landed in San Francisco from the steamer Golden 
Gate. Louis Mangels' chief asset on coming to this country was a good 
education acquired in the schools of Germany, and after locating in San 
Francisco he apprenticed himself to learn the cooper trade. After following 
his trade for about nine years, with money which he accumulated in the 
meantime he purchased two hundred and thirty acres in the Suisun valley, 
Solano county. These lowlands are remarkably productive of a quality 
.;rape from which the most excellent wine can be made, but it was only 
after many years of experimenting in different crops, attended with many 
failures and hardships, that Mr. Mangels finally made a success of the 
undertaking. More than once he became so discouraged that he offered 
his place for sale, but no purchaser taking the property, he redoubled his 
efforts and finally discovered that wine grapes were a success and bore 
well. Each season he set out more vines, and as he became more encour- 
aged with the undertaking, decided to keep the ranch, and such land as 
was adapted for vineyard was set to vines. To obtain the best success he 
concluded to engage in the manufacture of wine and in 1893 built his first 
wine cellar, which two years later was increased in size and again enlarged 
a few years after that, and today it has a capacity of four hundred thousand 
gallons. The ranch is known as the Solano Winery and is located about one 
and a quarter miles north of Cordelia, which is his shipping point. Xinety- 
four acre^ of leaded land is given over to the raising of grapes, in addition to 
forty-five acres of vineyard planted on the original purchase of land. In 1910 
Mr. Mangels took his two sons into partnership, under the firm name of 
Louis Mangels & Sons. In more recent years Mr. Mangels ventured into 
other agricultural lines, having acquired fifty acre rchard and grain 

land in the Suisun valley, which, after being put in tree> and vines, was sold 
to his sons-in-law. Mr. Mangels also purchased the Hadden ranch of sixty 
three acre> one mile east of his place, and of this twenty five acres have 
been set to orchard and vineyard. 

Two years before Louis Mangels made his first purchase of land he 
was married in San Francisco, in 1874. to Mi<^ Minna Schrader, a woman 






732 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

of his own nationality, whose mother, Henrietta Schrader, at the age of 
eighty-one years, is now living in San Francisco, fifty miles away from her 
daughter and grandchildren. Of the nine children born of this union, one 
died in infancy. John Henry and Claus are both married and live on the 
home place, being in partnership with their father. Louis, Jr., is married 
and in business for himself in the Suisun valley. Emma and her husband, 
Wade Little, live on their ranch in the Suisun valley, as do also Sophia 
and her husband, George Flammer. Twin daughters, Anna and Minna, 
came next to this happy couple, Minna still remaining with her parents, 
while Anna and her husband, L. C. Scarlett, also have their own home in 
Suisun valley. Rudolph, the youngest of the family, remains with his parents. 
Notwithstanding his devotion to his private interests, Mr. Mangels has 
always found time to take a deep and active interest in the welfare of his 
community, having become an American citizen worthy the name. He is 
a welcome member of Lodge No. Ill, K. of P., of Suisun. Politically he is 
affiliated with the Republican party, and with his family he attends the 
Lutheran Church. In all matters that tend to the upbuilding and advance- 
ment of the community he is ever ready to give of his time and means. 



JOHN A. FILLOON. 

Of the men whose mechanical and artistic ability has been made to 
serve the best interests of Vallejo, none is accorded a higher measure of 
merit than John A. Filloon. Mr. Filloon is an architect, builder and con- 
tractor, and has to his credit not only many of the most expensive and im- 
posing buildings in the town, but on Georgia street probably has accom- 
plished more high grade repair work than any other similarly employed. 
It is impossible to enumerate in this space all that he has accomplished in 
his line, but mention may be made of the annex to St. Vincent's hotel on 
Georgia street ; the Swartz block on the same street ; many fine cottages and 
flats, including the Armsted cottage for Miss Evans, cottages for Mr. Coretcke 
on Capitol street, a bungalow for Mr. Waterfall on Napa street, two apart- 
ments for Mr. Bresnan on Ohio street, besides which he has put in many 
fine plate glass fronts on Georgia street. 

Born in Clayton, Contra Costa county, Cal., in 1862, Mr. Filloon is a 
son of Josiah Filloon, who, crossing the plains in 1852, settled in Calaveras 
county, this state, and engaged in mining and the stock business. The elder 
Filloon next located in Clayton, Contra Costa county, and operated a livery 
stable, in connection therewith driving a stage to Oakland and being the 
first man to ride a horse on top of Mount Diablo. He later settled in Fresno, 
Fresno county, and here his death occurred in 1869. He was an energetic 
and venturesome man, as indicated by his chosen walks in life, and found 
never-ceasing enjoyment in the crude and unsettled conditions of which he 
became an integral part. His wife in maidenhood was Elizabeth Ann Barker, 
a native of Illinois and the daughter of Elisha Barker, who crossed the plains 
to California with ox teams in 1848, and on horseback traversed a large part 
of the state looking for a suitable location, and finally settled in Calaveras 
county. Mrs. Filloon survived her husband a number of years, her death 
having occurred in 1883. 

The youth of John A. Filloon was such as one might expect from his 
early surroundings. He is truly a self-made man, for from the age of twelve 
years, when he began to work at the carpenter's trade, he has followed the 
same in many towns and cities of the state. He came to Vallejo in 1899, 
and in 1905 inaugurated his business as a contractor and builder. Needless 
to say, he has accumulated considerable property, and aside from that in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 733 

Vallejo owns a five acre place in fruits just east of town. This he has con- 
verted into an ideal home, and here live his wife, formerly Miss Susan A. 
Hopper, a native <>f California, whom he married in 1887. and his two children, 
Hattie and Ada. Mr. Pilloon has little time to devote to polities or outside 
affairs, but in general is public spirited and enterprising, generous in his con- 
tributions to worthy causes, and in all ways setting a high standard of life 
ami character. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees 
and Independent Order of Red Men. 



JAMES WILSON. 

A native ^i Aberdeenshire, Scotland, James Wilson continued in his 
native land until he was about thirty years of age, at that time coming to 
the United States. In the fall of 1868 he landed at San Francisco, Cal., where 
for twenty-five years he followed his vocation of shipdjuilder. With all the 
sturdy qualities inherent in a Scotchman — steadiness of purpose, energetic 
will, upright life, combined with a robust constitution — he worked his way 
up from the bottom of the ladder and today is a prosperous fruit grower in 
Napa county. He has forty acres of fertile land devoted to the raising of 
grapes, prunes and peaches, beside- which he owns a twenty-acre vineyard 
one mile from his home place. 

Mr. Wilson was united in marriage in Scotland to Euphemia Harrower, 
i<\ Scotch parentage, and to them were born four children: James, Alexander, 
Anna M. and Euphemia. Euphemia is the wife of George W. Elicker. resid- 
ing in Napa county with their two children. Arthur and Melvin. Mr. Wilson 
has no aspirations politically, but has always voted the straight Republican 
ticket. He was at one time a member of the Steamship Builders' Association 
and the Grange Lodge, which demonstrates the fact that he is public spirited 
and a promoter of projects to further the welfare of the community. Although 
seventy-two years of age, he is hale and active, a stanch Presbyterian and a 
lover of home, and with his kindly personality, consideration and tact he has 
won for himself a lasting place in the hearts of the people of his community. 



IRA Z. HILL. 

By reason of his thorough understanding of the occupation to which 
he has given his attention for a number of years Mr. Hill rightfully claims 
the honor of being an expert in his trade of painter and paper-hanger, and 
much of the best work in this line in Vallejo is his handiwork. 

Ohio is Mr. Hill's native state, his birth having occurred in Marietta, 
May 11. 1877. but the greater part of his life has been passed in California, 
whither his parents came in 1884. when he was about seven years of age. 
Settlement was made in Napa. Napa county, and with that part of the state 
his life was associated during his early years. A fairly good education he 
obtained in the schools of Napa, and when he was ready to prepare himself 
for business life he had selected a trade which was congenial to his tastes 
and therefore he lost no time in casting about to decide as to his future. 
The trade of painter and paper-hanger was the one he had chosen for his life 
work, and the fact that he has been successful in it needs no stronger proof 
than the large list of satisfied customers that return to him repeatedly when 
in need of work in his line. After completing his trade in Napa he worked 
in the employ of others in Oakland. San Francisco, Fresno and other parts 
of the state before finally coming to Vallejo, in 1896. As in the other places 
mentioned, he first worked in the employ of others, but in April. 1910. he 
began taking contracts on his own account, and from the first he met with 



734 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the success that his experienced hand deserved. In his store at No. 321 
Georgia street may be seen a complete and choice line of all that goes to 
make an up-to-date paint store, including paints for all purposes, wall-paper 
of all grades, brushes, etc. The decoration of many of the finest residences 
in Vallejo has been done under contract by Mr. Hill, and many of the stores 
on Georgia street and three theaters in Vallejo represent his artistic ability. 
When it is considered that Mr. Hill has been in business for himself so 
short a time it speaks eloquently of his reputation as a master of his trade 
that he has won the large patronage that he now enjoys. One of the secrets 
of his success lies in the fact that he will employ none but careful, con- 
scientious workmen like himself. 

Mr. Hill's marriage, in 1907, united him with Miss Julia Burns, a native 
of this state, and two children, Archie and Irwin, have been born to them. 
Aside from his affiliation with the Odd Fellows order Mr. Hill is not iden- 
tified with fraternal organizations. 



LOUIS L. WALLACE. 

The identification of the Wallace family with the history of California 
dates back to the era memorable through the discovery of gold. It was dur- 
ing the spring of 1848 that Robert Wallace left Missouri and joined an ex- 
pedition bound for the then unknown west. On his arrival he prospected 
and mined in Placer county, but no special good fortune rewarded his tire- 
less labors. However, the fascinations of the coast country had cast their 
charm around him and, although he returned to Missouri, it was for a brief 
period only, after which he again crossed the plains to establish a permanent 
home in the west. At one time he owned a large mine in San Luis Obispo 
county, but eventually he became a resident of Oregon and in 1903 his death 
occurred in Lake county, that state. During the early period of western de- 
velopment he had many thrilling and even dangerous experiences. Twice 
he encountered the Indians in skirmishes and several times the savages 
raided his corrals and took off the stock. 

The marriage of Robert Wallace united him with Miss Mary Crow, a 
native of Missouri. They became the parents of four children, namely: 
Louis L., whose name introduces this sketch; Miner, who froze to death in 
Lassen county, this state ; John, deceased ; and Mrs. Mary Greenfield. 

. Born at Kentucky Flat, Placer county, Cal., Louis L. Wallace removed 
from that mining hamlet to Mendocino county at the age of six years and 
three years later accompanied the family to Berryessa valley in Napa county. 
Leaving that locality at the age of twenty years, he went to Red Bluff, Te- 
hama county, and took up a claim, making his home there until he had 
proved up on the land. Next he settled in Modoc county and became ex- 
tensively engaged in the stock business. While living there he married Miss 
Emma Smith, by whom he has one son. Miner, now a student in the Napa 
Business College. 

During a long association with the stock business in Modoc county Mr. 
Wallace had on his ranch an average of four hundred head of stock and a 
large band of horses. Much of his ranch was in meadow and large quantities 
of hay were sold each season. For two years he devoted much of his time 
to hunting. One of his feats was the killing of three cinnamon bears. The 
female was wounded and turned on him with desperate fury, but he was 
able to hit her with a large rock, this time wounding her so seriously that 
it was then possible for him to kill the animal. Two of her young cubs 
climbed a pepper tree and hung suspended by their front feet from the 
upper branches. Finally, exhausted by the effort, they fell to the ground and 
soon were captured. On closing out the hunting interests and the cattle 




°fu^^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO A.ND NAPA COUNTIES 737 

business, Mr. Wallace removed to Oakland and purchased a comfortable 
cottage. However, the tedium of citj life soon proved irksome to him and 
he thereupon removed to Napa county, where he bought twenty acres near 
Oakville. There he engaged in horticulture and general farming until he 
><>ld the ranch in the fall of 1911 and returned to Oakland, where lie pur 
chased a home at No. 2437 Twenty tilth avenue and is serving as mail dis- 
patcher for the United States government. In the various localities where 
he has resided enterprises of unquestioned value have received his warm co- 
operation. ( )t" Republican sympathies, he exhibits no narrowness of opinion, 
but is liberal minded and free from prejudice. In earlier life he was an active 
worker in the Ancient Order <■*{ United Workmen and still maintains a deep 
interest in its philanthropies. Throughout various parts of the state, and 
especially in the counties of his former residence, he has many warm personal 
friends. 



DOS REIS BROTHERS. 

As compared with the contribution which other countries have made 
to California. Portugal has a meagre showing in numbers, but in point 
^i quality no country could boast more. Manuel and Antonio Dos Reis 
were born in North Grande, Island of St. George, one of the Azores, in 
1864 and 1867, respectively. Among the immigrants that landed on these 
shores in the year 1881 was Manuel Dos Reis, who came direct to Solano 
county. Cal.. from the point of landing, and with well laid plans as to his 
future course of action he established a modest dairy business in the vicinity 
of Benicia. Starting with a few choice head of stock, his herd increased 
gradually and the demand for the products of his dairy increased also. He 
had been in this country about twelve years when his brother Antonio 
was attracted hither by the success of his brother. At first Antonio was 
employed in his brother's dairy, but later established a business of his own. 
After a number of years the brothers joined their forces, and as a result 
they now have the largest and most profitable dairy in Solano county. 

The large business conducted under the name of Dos Reis brothers 
has not resulted from any stroke of good luck, but represents years of hard 
work on the part of the proprietors, strict attention to small details and square 
dealings under all circumstances. Their dairy ranch one mile east of Vallejo 
is known as the Point Farm ranch, and comprises twelve hundred acres, upon 
which pasturage is given to one hundred and fifty cows. Another ranch they 
own containing seventeen hundred acres, near Cordelia, is known as the 
furry ranch, and there one hundred and seventy cows are grazed. The 
milk from both ranches is shipped direct to their creamery in Oakland, at 
Fifteenth and Cypress streets, and known as the American Creamery. There 
they manufacture twenty-five hundred pounds of butter daily, in addition 
to supplying a retail milk trade with two thousand gallons of milk. The 
proprietors of this immense business have demonstrated to their satisfaction 
that a mixed breed of cows produces the best product, ami in all departments 
of the business it has been their aim to strive for excellence and be satisfied 
with nothing less, and it is on this foundation that the business has been 
reared. They also own a ranch of two hundred and six acres near Oakville. 
Xapa county, which they are seeding to alfalfa, and on which they are putting 
a pumping plant. 

In addition to his interest in the dairy business Manuel Dos Reis is als i 
the owner and proprietor of St. Vincent's hotel in Vallejo, and Antonio 
also owns valuable real estate in the city. Both are progressive, public- 
spirited and intelligent citizens, and are held in the highest respect in the 
community in which they have lived and labored for so many years. 



738 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

After the death of his first two wives, Manuel Dos Reis was united in 
marriage with Miss Deolinda Silvera. Four children were born of his first 
marriage, Manuel, Antonio, Louisa and Annie ; and of his present union 
there is one child, Edward. Antonio Dos Reis was married in Portugal to 
Miss Clara Silvera, and together they came to the United States in 1893. 
They have two children. Manuel and Antonio. In 1911 he built and estab- 
lished Idora Park on his ranch one mile east of Vallejo, his partner in this 
enterprise being Joseph Lopez. It has already become the leading and most 
popular amusement place of the kind for residents of Vallejo. 



ROBERT H. STERLING. 

The presence among us of some aged'survivors of that remarkable group 
of Forty-niners, so indissolubly associated with the history of the state, serves 
to unite the dim and shadowy past with the forceful years of the twentieth 
century. For no citizen is the feeling of gratitude so deep as for them; to 
none is the word of praise so freely given by an appreciative populace. 
Well known among the members of the California Society of Pioneers is 
the honored Forty-niner, Robert H. Sterling, who makes his home at No. 
322 First street, Napa. Born in New York City in 1829, he was a mere 
infant at the time of the family's removal to Bridgeport, Conn., where, as 
in New York, the father engaged in the book publishing business. As a 
boy he attended school, but text-books possessed small interest for him at 
the time. Instead, the ocean lured him on with its whispered tales of mys- 
tery and unknown ports beyond. Gaining permission at home to enter upon 
a seafaring life he shipped on an ocean vessel bound for China. The voyage 
there and back ended in safety and then again he went to the same country 
on the same ship (the Natchez), after which he made two trips to China on 
the Sea- Witch, so that his first four voyages covered practically the same 
route. Later he became second mate of the Gipsy and made two voyages to 
the West Indies during the year 1848. It was also his privilege to sail around 
the world, a voyage that consumed nine months and twenty-six days. 

During January of 1849 Mr. Sterling sailed from New York on the ship 
Tarolinta (Floating Rose) for California. While rounding the Horn the 
mate of the ship was put off duty and Mr. Sterling was appointed to the 
position, which he filled until the vessel cast anchor at San Francisco on 
July 6, 1849. Vividly he recalls the appearance of the city at the time of his 
arrival, its illy-constructed buildings inviting the menace of a fire, many of 
its inhabitants living in tents, and a countless throng of gold-seekers coming 
and going with hope or despair written upon their faces. Of course Mr. 
Sterling tried his luck at mining. For a time he prospected and mined at 
Jamestown on the Tuolumne river. On his return to San Francisco from 
the mines he found at the wharf the ship on which he had come from New 
York. The captain was enlisting a crew for a trip to Honolulu and he joined 
as mate. The voyage to the Hawaiian Islands occupied eighteen days and 
the vessel then proceeded to China, whence a return to San Francisco was 
made in April of 1850. The young sailor next entered the employ of the 
Pacific Mail Steamship Company and was appointed to the command of a 
vessel, but the prospective voyage was abandoned. For a year he took 
charge of various store ships in the San Francisco bay and during that time 
he witnessed, on admission day in 1850, the blowing up of the steamer Sagi- 
naw, causing the death of a large number of the crew. 

Returning to New York via the Panama route Mr. Sterling remained 
for one year and arrived in California the second time on May 25, 1852. 
He took charge of forty thousand acres of raw land in Lake county for his 
friend, Capt. A. A. Ritchie, and there for six years he engaged in raising 



HISTORY OF Sol. \\o \ \ |) NAPA COUNTIES 739 

(.attic. Meanwhile, wishing to establish a home in the west, he 9en1 back 
for his sweetheart, Miss Lydia J. Wheaton, a native of Connecticut, and 
she joined him in California, their marriage being solemnized in Benicia in 
1854. The union proved to be one of mutual happiness and helpfulness and 
it was the privilege of the worth} couple to celebrate their golden wedding 
anniversary. Mrs. Sterling passed away Maj 13, 1907, leaving one daughter, 
Julia, wife of 11. L. Hill, of Now York. The only grandchild of Mr. Sterling 
is 11. L. Hill, Jr.. who recently was graduated From Harvard College. 

After leaving the ranch Mr. Sterling came to Napa, where for three years 
he engaged in the lumber business. For eight years he acted as assistant 
assessor oi internal revenue at Napa and For a similar period he was deputy 
clerk in the same office. From 1800 until IS" '4 he served as postmaster of 
Napa and at this writing he is a notary public. During 1873 he was chosen 
one oi the first directors oi the Napa state asylum. Ever since voting For 
Abraham Lincoln For president he has voted the Republican ticket in national 
and local elections and his support of party principles has been steadfasl 
and stanch. 



BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WOOLNER. 

Born in London. England, in 1832. Benjamin F. Woolner is a son of 
English parents and a member of an old Anglo-Saxon family. When he was 
still a small child he was brought to America by his parents, who settled in 
Prince Edward Island. Canada, and there remained until death. From an 
earlv age he was self-supporting and hence did not enjoy many educational 
advantages, his present information having been gained principally from 
self-culture and habits of close observation. At the age of twenty years he 
went to Goderich. Ontario, and secured work on a farm, remaining for six 
years, when on account of the rigorous climate he was induced to come to 
California. At this writing he has two brothers and three sisters still living 
in Canada and he has made a number of trips back to that country since 
he left, but in every respect he is better satisfied in the west and his devo- 
tion to California has grown with the passing years. 

The first property acquired in Solano county by Mr. Woolner consisted 
of one hundred acres without fencing and with no improvements. This place 
he bought four years after his arrival, using for payment the savings of his 
industrious efforts. The land was cultivated in grain. After about three 
years he bought an adjacent tract of one hundred acres. Still later he added 
to his possessions until he had four hundred acres, but a portion of this 
acreage he subsequently sold, so that now he has a farm of three hundred 
acres about one mile west from the court house, forming as fertile a tract 
as may be found within the limits of the Suisun valley. The land is under 
cultivation to grain in a large degree, but a considerable acreage is in meadow. 
The returns are gratifying and furnish a neat income for the owner, whose 
energy has developed the property and rendered it productive. 

The marriage of Mr. Woolner and Miss Flora McNeil, a native of Prince 
Edward Island, was solemnized in 1869, and has proved a union of mutual 
helpfulness and service. They are the parents of two sons, the elder of 
whom, Russell, is a farmer and a resident of the Suisun valley. The younger, 
Benjamin F.. Jr.. is the present city attorney of Oakland. Both of the sons 
are married and have children. Adhering strictly to the occupation of grain 
farming, Mr. Woolner has not engaged in the live-stock industry to any ex 
tent nor has he diversified from his chosen specialties of grain and ha v. His 
interests center in his home and on his farm and he has not had the inclina- 
tion to participate in politics. With his wife he is a member of the Congre- 
gational Church uf Suisun. His opposition to official responsibilities has 



740 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

led him to decline proffers of local positions, nor has he cared to ally him- 
self with any of the secret orders, but with quiet energy he has concentrated 
his attention upon his private affairs and has given his time to the acquisi- 
tion of a competency, so that freedom from financial burdens may render 
serene and contented the declining years of himself and wife. 



JOHN WILSON. 

A native of England, John Wilson was born in Lancashire, April 22, 
1834, in the town of Dolphinholme, where the first English worsted yarn 
was manufactured. At the age of seven years he moved with his family 
to Yorkshire, where his father was a comber. There he followed in his 
father's footsteps and for seven years perfected himself in his chosen trade. 
He received employment in Leeds, Yorkshire, and from that place he came 
to the United States in 1869, locating in Lowell, Mass. There he followed 
the occupation of carpet manufacturing and for twenty years was foreman 
in his department. 

Leaving Massachusetts, we trace the fortunes of Mr. Wilson to Cali- 
fornia and note his location in San Francisco in 1893. The same year he 
came to Napa county and purchased twenty acres of land, paying $150 
per acre for the same. He then planted an orchard and now has ten acres 
of prunes and seven acres of hay, the balance being pasture land. 

Mr. Wilson's second marriage occurred in Lowell, Mass., and united 
him with Anna E. Curtis, a native of Yorkshire. One child, Eliza, was born 
of this marriage, who died at the age of five years. One child was born of 
Mr. Wilson's first marriage, John Wilson, Jr., who now resides in New Zea- 
land, where he is engaged in mining. Mrs. Wilson died in 1900. Mr. Wilson 
has made many friends in Napa county and all rejoice to see the prosperity 
that has come to him in his advancing years. 



RICHARD TYTHER. 

In Shropshire, England, Richard Tyther was born in 1829, the son of 
Thomas and Mary (Gardiner) Tyther. He received his early education in 
the schools of the neighborhood, attending school until the age of sixteen, 
when he began to devote his time to horticulture, his father being a gardener 
and nurseryman. He worked with his father for some time and the training 
which he received at that time was of inestimable value to him throughout 
his life and no doubt had much to do with his successes along his particular 
line after his emigration to America. After working in his father's busi- 
ness for some years and becoming thoroughly acquainted with it, he was 
made foreman in the hot houses and gardens of the large Cornwall Lee estate, 
which position he held with great satisfaction to his employers until coming 
to America. 

Upon his arrival in America, Mr. Tyther settled in New York and worked 
as a florist for four years. In 1855 he came to California and located in 
Xapa, where he was in the employ of Mr. Osborn of the Oak Knoll ranch 
for three years. During his service with Mr. Osborn he planted most of the 
trees and vines which enhance the beauty of that tract to such a marked 
degree. While caring for the Oak Knoll ranch he purchased fifty acres of 
land in the same locality, which was a great advantage, as he was enabled 
to have all his trees rooted and prepared in the nursery and had a fine orchard 
planted by the time he was ready to occupy the place. He established the 
first nursery in the valley, a business which he- was eminently fitted to con- 
duct, both because of his early training and his California experience. He 



I 




HISTORY OF SOLANO \\h NAPA COUNTIES 743 

built up and maintained a reputation for firsl class goods and for years he 
supplied all the neighboring counties with trees and vines. He named his 
place Dry Creek orchard and conducted a large and extensive trade. Be 
sides carrying on bis nursery business he did considerable fruit raising, lia\ 

in^ twenty- four acres of bis ranch planted in peaches, fifteen acres in apple-. 
one in Bartlett pears, two in apricots, ti\e in plums, two in French prunes 
and one in almonds, thus having on hand a greal varietj of fruits all the 
year around. 

Mi. Tyther was married to Mis- Catherine McNeff, a native of Boyle, 
Countv Roscommon. Ireland. ( )f the children horn of this marriage two are 
living. Joseph R.. who resides at Trubody, married M'>- Grace Davis, and 
three children were horn to them: Mary, deceased; Joseph and Maurine. 
Mary Frances became the wife of E. '/.. Hennessey, M. !>.. of Napa. Mr. 
Tyther died in San Francisco in April. l l »10. and his widow now resides in 
that city. 



WILLIAM A. TRUBODY. 

In the enumeration of the names of the most popular men residing in 
Xapa county that of W. A. Trubody would always be included in the 
list and in that same connection would be mentioned his high standing 
as a rancher, county official and private citizen. During the long period 
of his residence in the county he had ever been foremost in the promotion 
•t enterprises for agricultural advancement, material growth and educational 
progress. With him patriotism has been of greater importance than partisan- 
ship, and while recognizing the importance of party traditions, he has ever 
civen his influence in advocacy of those reforms in party management and 
procedure that promised the greatest good to the greatest number. As a 
rancher and an officer he has alwavs stood for the verv best in public and 
private affairs. 

Mr. Trubody possesses a knowledge of California prior to the discovery 
of gold, for when he was a small child he accompanied his parents across 
the plains, leaving Lafayette county. Mo., where he was born December 5, 
1839, early in May, 1847, when the family joined a party bound for the 
west. His father. John Trubody, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1808 
and died in San Francisco in 1897, at an advanced age. He married Jane 
Palmer and for many years they had made their home in Missouri. In those 
days there was but little travel across the country and tor great distances 
no roads had been marked, so that the best route was unknown. Notwith- 
standing hardships and delays the expedition arrived in safety, in October, 
1847. at Sutter's Fort, which gained world-wide fame as a mecca for immi- 
grants who came to this state. After a stay of two months at the fort they 
■eeded to San Francisco, which city was practically the home of Mr. 
Trubody the rest of his long and useful life. In November, 1849, he bought 
land in Xapa county but did not get his deed to it until in February the 
following year, and this same deed is in the possession of his son William A. 
of this review. This land was a part of the grant to Salvador Yallejo and 
Mr. Trubody was the third purchaser from the grant. Trubody station, north 
of Xapa on the line of the railway, was named in honor of this pioneer, 
who was one of the men that made the building of the road possible. \t 
one time he was the owner of a considerable acreage in the county and 
bought and sold several ranches. 

After the family had located in San Francisco it was decided in 1850 
that the two sons, J. P. and W. A., should be sent to school in the east, as 
the chances for an education in California were meager at that time. Re 



744 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

turning to New York by way of the Isthmus, W. A. was a student in Mount 
Pleasant Academy for four years. On his return to California he completed 
his studies in the University of the Pacific at Santa Clara. After leaving 
school, in December, 1856, Mr. Trubody came to Napa county, where his 
father had purchased land and in partnership with his brother, Josiah P., 
settled on a tract of one hundred and eighty-four acres about six miles north 
of Napa and later began the berry business. They made a specialty of the 
best blackberries, having thirty-five acres in this fruit. The business was 
inaugurated in 1867 and grew to such proportions that they became known 
all over the state as the largest raisers in this section. The partnership 
continued for a time and then William A. bought his brother's interest. 
In 1883 he shipped over one hundred tons of fruit which brought high prices. 
It was impossible to gather the entire crop on account of the scarcity of 
laborers. This was the banner yield. Eventually the vines became old and 
the business dropped and was soon abandoned. The old home place con- 
sists of one hundred and twenty-seven acres, eighty acres devoted to the 
dairy business and twenty-two in vineyard. The property is under the direct 
supervision of George A., the eldest son, who makes this his home and gives 
his personal attention to its management. 

For a considerable period Mr. Trubody has made his home in Napa and 
since 1902 has filled the office of county treasurer, having succeeded himself 
in 1906 and 1910. In 1867 he first served on the board of supervisors and 
again in 1889 and 1897 was selected to represent his district in that body. 
In every position that he has been called upon to serve the people he has 
given eminent satisfaction and served his constituents with fidelity and hon- 
esty and has won encomiums of praise from both parties. In national 
affairs he has voted the Republican ticket, but in local matters is guided in 
casting his ballot by the fitness of the candidate for the office in question. 

Mr. Trubody was married in California to Lura J., the daughter of T. L. 
Grigsby. She was born in Laclede county, Mo., November 30, 1850, and 
was brought to California at an early age and located in Napa county, where 
November 17, 1868, she became the wife of Mr. Trubody. They have had 
the following children : Elma, born September 29, 1869, and died June 8, 1873 ; 
George A., born September 22, 1871 ; Lulu Etta, deceased, was born October 
4, 1873, and became the wife of Herbert Lawson, by whom she had one son, 
Lowell Trubody, who was born December 7, 1893, and makes his home with 
his grandparents; Clara C, born October 30, 1877, and Frank E., born No- 
vember 8, 1879, teller in the Napa Bank. The children were given good 
educational advantages and fitted for whatever responsibilities awaited them. 
Mr. Trubody is a member of Yount Lodge No. 12, F. & A. M. ; and Napa 
Lodge No. 832, B. P. O. E. 



ANTON THOMPSON. 

Long identification with the business interests of Napa has enabled Mr. 
Thompson to establish a commercial enterprise of important proportions 
and also to associate himself with the progressive citizenship of the place. 
In the line of his specialty he is a leader, having built up a trade that extends 
throughout the county and brings to him a gratifying annual revenue. His 
business headquarters are located at No. 217 First street, where he occupies 
two floors with the necessities and equipments of his specialties, viz : plumb- 
ing, sheet metal work and tinning. Since he embarked in business for him- 
self he has been given contracts for some of the most important jobs in 
plumbing both in the city and in the surrounding country and in the filling 
of these contracts he has exhibited resourcefulness, skill and dispatch. 

The Native Sons of the Golden West have an active member in Anton 



I 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUNTIES 745 

Thompson, who is a native of San Francisco and was born February 29, L864, 
at the family residence on Telegraph Mill. During September of 1873 his 
parents removed to Napa count] and settled on a farm three miles easl of 
Napa, where he grew to youth and early manhood, meanwhile receiving a 
public 9chool education. When a little pasl seventeen years of age he went 
to San Francisco to earn his livelihood. There he became an apprentice to 
the plumber's trade under the linn of William S. Snook & Son and worked 
in their factory on the corner of Montgomery and Claj streets, first as an 
apprentice and later as a journeyman. Returning to Xapa in 1886, In- secured 
work at his trade in this city and continued as an employe of others until 
May >>i l l >00. when he embarked in business for himself. Careful training 
Under master workmen and his own ability in the line >>i his specialty have 
enabled him to succeed even beyond his early hopes and he has built up a 
business that ranks among the largest of the kind in the city. 

With the exception <\\ having served as a member o\ the hoard of health 
for one term Mr. Thompson has not entered into public activities nor accepted 
official honors. The demands oi his business are SO many that he has little 
leisure for civic affairs, yet he has proved a progressive citizen and forms a 
valued addition to the splendid corps of business men guiding the destinies 
of Xapa toward larger results and greater usefulness. Mention has been 
made of his identification with the Native Sons and it may also be stated 
that hi- fraternal associations include membership in the Independent Order 
of Foresters at Napa. In this city he married Miss Annie Golden, who was 
horn in the north of Ireland, came to the United States in girlhood and died 
at Napa January 23. 1 ( M». leaving two children. Raymond and Genevieve. 



CHARLES FREDERICK OTTERSON. 

The chief oi the fire department of Xapa traces his genealogy to Highland 
Scotch ancestry, but at a very early period the family became established 
in Ireland, where Montague Otterson held a conspicuous position among 
the landed proprietors of County Tyrone. Of his family a son, Andrew J., 
born at the family estate in that part of Ireland and educated in the schools 
of England, immigrated to the United States at the age of eighteen and en- 
gaged in the occupation of a cotton planter in Georgia near Atlanta. During 
the Mexican war he entered the army and rose to the rank of a major, while 
during the Civil war he enlisted from Kentucky in the Confederate service 
and became a commissioned officer. The only injury that marked his long 
and distinguished career in the army was a wound in the right leg at the- 
battle of Chickamauga. 

When the Civil war had ended Major Otterson brought his wife and two 
children to California via the Isthmus of Panama, which they crossed on 
muleback. thence traveling by steamer to San Francisco. In that city he 
entered the employ of Collis P. Huntington as foreman of construction of 
the Southern Pacific Railroad over a part of the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
It was his privilege to be present at the driving of the golden spike which 
marked the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. Later he aided 
in the construction work on the Canadian Pacific Railroad. While thus en- 
gaged in 1875 he expelled some Chinese gamblers from the camp. The action 
caused a mutiny and uprising of the sixteen hundred Chinamen employed on 
the road and they made an attack upon him. Seizing his Winchester he 
fought until his ammunition gave out and sixteen fell beneath his aim. 
When he could no longer use the gun the Chinamen overpowered him and 
chopped him to pieces with their shovels. At the time of being murdered 
he was fifty years of age, handsome in appearance, stalwart in physique, 



746 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

imposing in stature and robust in constitution. His life brought him often 
into imminent peril, but never once did he display the slightest fear or the 
least weakening in his unwavering courage. 

The marriage of Major Otterson united him with Miss Louise Werner, 
who was born in Kur-Hessen on the Rhine, and who, with her son, Andrew, 
was burned to death in the fire that destroyed the West Street hotel, Seattle.. 
The others of her four children are still living, Charles Frederick, the second 
of these, having been born in the old Adobe hotel in San Francisco February 
18, 1867. From the age of twelve he has been self-supporting and for some 
time he also helped to support his widowed mother and younger brothers. 
After having served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade in the South- 
ern Pacific Railroad shops at Sacramento, h'e returned to San Francisco and 
became foreman of construction on the old Market Street (now the United) 
Railroad. While thus engaged he built the Powell, Sacramento and Clay 
street lines. Upon resigning the position he went to Spokane, Wash., and 
worked as chief electrician. Later he held a similar position with the' Madi- 
son Street Railroad Company in Seattle, thence returning to San Francisco 
and entering the employ of a firm manufacturing electric elevators. With 
them he continued as foreman until 1904, when he became general foreman 
of the San Francisco, Vallejo & Napa Valley Railroad shops at Napa. A 
year later he resigned to take charge of the construction of the Ocean Shore 
Railroad at San Francisco, but he had not assumed his duties when the earth- 
quake occurred which changed the plans of the company. June 13. 1906, he 
was commissioned chief of the fire department at Napa, to which office he 
was appointed by Councilmen Newman, Seeley, Levansaler, Manasse and 
Evans, and which he has since held by re-appointment at the expiration of 
each term. 

The department comprises the chief with four paid assistants; six call 
men and the old Pioneer Volunteer Company. The equipment is composed 
of one hose wagon, one Seagrave six-cylinder fifty-horse combination chem- 
ical engine and hose wagon, one third size Knott fire engine, and three reserve 
hose carts established in three different parts of the city. The insurance 
rating of the city is on rate book two on a basis of thirty, thirty-five and 
forty-five cents. The efficiency of the department is shown by the fact that 
there are only five other towns in California on the same rating. Pioneer 
Engine Company No. 1 own their old hand-pump engine, which, brought 
around Cape Horn from New York, did duty here for many years, pumping 
water from cisterns or the creek, forty men (twenty on each side) manning 
the pump. The engine is still in good condition and is kept as an interesting 
relic of the past, its day of usefulness having long since passed. Formerly 
the department was composed of Pioneer Engine Company No. 1, Unity Hose 
Company, Alert Hose Company, East Napa Hose Company and Alliance Hose 
Company. Each company was noted for its great speed and won prizes in 
different tournaments. All of the companies are now out of existence with 
the exception of the Pioneers, who are still on call. 

Considering the size of the city, the department is rated as the best in 
the entire state and it has headquarters centrally located on Second near 
Coombs street. Tests have been given here by Engine Driver Bruton, En- 
gineer Jeff Smelser, Hose Wagon Driver Roberts and Hoseman Pilgrim 
Petrolio, when with a complete hook apron seven hundred and forty-five 
yards and two hundred feet of hose laid, a line of water was put on the build- 
ings in two minutes and twenty-five seconds ; the same test, two hundred 
and sixty yards, in one minute and twenty-nine seconds ; also the same test, 
two hundred yards, in one minute and five seconds. These tests and records 
were witnessed by hundreds of people and the time was kept by strangers, 
so that the accuracy of the results announced could not be questioned. The 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 749 

credit for much of the efficiency of the departmenl belongs to the chid, who 
is an able official and careful worker. Physically he is a fine specimen of 
manhood, tall and well-proportioned, with a keen and penetrating eye, which 
often has auled him in running down and detecting criminals, for in addi- 
tion to his work in the tire department he also has been connected with the 
police department at Napa. For some years he has been identified with the 
Pacific Coast Fire Chiefs' Association. While living in Seattle. Wash., he 
married Miss Emma Mass, a native of New York City. They are the parents 

^i two children. Andrew and Mollie, the former an employe of the Wells 

Fargo Express Company at Napa. 



JOSEPH COLLINS EDGCUMBE. 

Inheriting from his English forefathers the sturdy qualities for which 
the Anglo-Saxon race ever has been famous. Mr. Edgcumbe added to these 
the traits more especially associated with the name of his native land of 
Canada and eventually his character became well rounded through the 
acquisition oi characteristics that mark the American people and particularly 
the residents of the west. From the age of twenty-four years until his death 
he identified himself with the industrial development of California and gave 
to the state the best years of his useful life, the most strenuous energies 
of his manhood and the deepest affection of his loyal and patriotic spirit. 
Throughout almost the entire duration of his residence in the state he made 
his home at Vallejo and this growing city has contained no inhabitant more 
solicitous for its material development than he, while his contribution to the 
local pro- re-- was effective and permanent. 

During the first one-half of the nineteenth century an English family 
crossed the ocean to Canada and established a permanent home in the 
new country, where a son. Joseph Collins, was born to them July 1, 1838. To 
this child, as to the other members of their family, they gave the best ad- 
vantages the schools of their locality afforded. In his youthful years they 
apprenticed him to a carriage-maker and thus saw that he was prepared for 
the earning of a livelihood. At the age of twenty-four years the young 
man left home and friends to make his own way in the world and immediately 
proceeded to California, where he worked in the mines for a year. From the 
mines he came to Vallejo and secured employment at the navy yard. Later 
he turned his attention to contracting and building. The first waterworks 
in the city were built by him under contract. The railroad from South 
Vallejo to Soseo] was constructed under his personal supervision. The 
grading of Georgia street was accomplished successfully through his capable 
labors. Many other contracts of importance reached a satisfactory consum- 
mation under his leadership and in every transaction he proved himself 
efficient and skilled. 

Although but a few years beyond his majority at the time of migrating 
to the west, already Mr. Edgcumbe had established a home of his own, for in 
1857 he had married Miss Susie Delaney, a native of Cobourg, Canada, and 
the daughter of Irish parents who in youthful years had settled near the 
-hores of Lake tntario. There were three sons in the Edgcumbe family. 
but the sole survivor is Alfred E., a native of Cobourg, Canada, and the 
present city clerk of Vallejo, where he is well known among the younger resi- 
dents of the town as a capable official and genial companion. After he had 
ceased all operations in grading and building Mr. Edgcumbe carried on a 
hardware and grocery store in Vallejo and later he was employed at the 
navy yard until illness terminated his labors. His death occurred November 
30, 1903, at the family residence. No. 908 Sonoma street, and brought to the 



750 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

widow and surviving son many expressions of sympathy from the people 
with whom he had been long and honorably associated and to whom he ever 
proved a true friend, generous neighbor and patriotic citizen. 



THOMAS B. SIMPKINS. 

Napa is well supplied with those whose business it is to erect residences 
and do general contracting work, and is fortunate to possess such a corps of 
efficient builders of homes. Among these is Thomas B. Simpkins, who was 
born near Salisbury, Wiltshire county, England, in 1872, a direct descendant 
of a long line of worthy forebears. The Simpkins family left England when 
Thomas was but eight years of age, for we learn that it was in 1880 that 
the family emigrated to Canada. However, they remained in Canada for 
a short time only, as they came to Napa county, Cal., in 1882. After attend- 
ing school for a time Thomas B. Simpkins set about to learn the trade of 
carpenter, which he did in a creditable manner, afterwards spending eight 
years working at this trade in San Francisco. On returning to Napa he 
entered the employ of E. W. Doughty and for five years worked with this 
contractor. With the idea that he could do better for himself by engaging 
in business on his own account, he launched out upon the sea of competitive 
business in 1905. Since engaging in contracting and building on his own 
account he has erected many splendid houses, not only in Napa, but through- 
out the county.. 

Fraternally Mr. Simpkins is a member of Napa Lodge, K. O. T. M. 
He was married in San Francisco in 1900 to Miss Alice Burnell, a native 
of California. They have two children, Clifford and Marjorie. 



LOUIS J. SIQUEIRA. 

An eventful career, a large portion of which was passed at sea as sailor, 
is that of Louis J. Siqueira, born in the Azores, off Portugal, in 1841. At 
an early age he became a fisherman, fishing and whaling off the coast of 
New Zealand, Australia, Siberia and Behring Straits, and in the course of 
his expeditions he took two trips around the world. Upon arriving in San 
Francisco in 1870 he decided to change his occupation and for two years 
remained in Contra Costa raising grain, then took up a claim of three hun- 
dred acres at Twin Sisters Peak, Solano county, and later bought four hun- 
dred and eighty acres in Napa county, where he was established for over 
thirty years. Two hundred acres were under the plow, twelve acres in vine- 
yard and the balance in pasture and timber. 

Mr. Siqueira was united in marriage in Boston to Mary Avalar, also a 
native of Portugal, and the following twelve children were born to them: 
Joseph, a farmer of Napa county; Antone, deceased; Louis; Manuel, of Beni- 
cia; Frank, also in Benicia ; John, deceased; Mary, deceased; Amelia; Flor- 
ence ; Louisa, deceased ; Maryanna and Virginia. Louis married Louisa 
Fagundis, of Napa county, and three children were born to them, Frank, 
Evart and Louise. Amelia, who is the wife of A. L. Brazil and resides in 
Goodyear, is the mother of eight children, George, Tony, Frank, Marion, 
Nellie, Flossie, Tillie and Virginia. Florence is the wife of John Rodgers 
and resides in Vallejo. Maryanna is the wife of John Burgess and resides 
in Benicia. Virginia, who also lives in Benicia, is the wife of M. Marshall 
and the mother of one child, Louise. 

Mr. Siqueira's educational advantages were necessarily limited in his 
early youth in Portugal, but after his arrival here he became greatly inter- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 751 

ested in educational work and was Founder <>f the public school in Wildhorse 
valley and was clerk <>\ the board of school trustees in Mountain district until 
his death. 

Mr. Siqueira's death occurred in 1902 and was a greal loss to the county, 
as he was a prominent factor in its upbuilding, and at the time of his death 
was one of the oldest settlers in Wildhorse valley. He had done much For 
the improvement and upbuilding of his district and was ever ready to give 
of his time and means toward any object that was for the betterment of 
community interests, this being especially true of educational matters. 'The 
death oi his wife occurred in 1891. They were both devout members of the 
Catholic church. Since Mr. Siqueira's death the ranch n\ four hundred and 
eighty acres has been held intact and for some years was managed by his 
four sons, but since 1908 it has been under the management of his son Louis 
].. who makes a specialty of general farming and horticulture. 



DICK HOPMANN. 

A comprehensive knowledge o\ viticulture dominates the intelligent activi- 
ties of Mr. Hopmann, who through long experience with the planting of vine- 
yards, the care ^i the vines, the harvesting of the crops and the manufacture 
of wine has become recognized as a local authority upon the subject. Theory 
and practical efforts have been combined in his labors. From a scientific 
standpoint he has studied the vines and their care and his studies have proved 
the wisdom of their prosecution in the light of practical results. The view 
held by others concerning his efficiency in his chosen specialty is proved by 
the fact that he has been retained for some years as superintendent at Ruther- 
ford for the French-American Wine Company of Healdsburg, Sonoma county, 
an organization of recognized importance and extensive interests. 

A native of Germany and descended from a long line of Teutonic ances- 
tors. Mr. Hopmann was born March 3. 1854, and in early youth was sent to 
the excellent schools of his own land. At the age of fifteen years he crossed 
the ocean to the United States and landed at New York, where immediately 
he secured employment as clerk in a grocery. For five years he continued 
in the grocery business in Xew York, whence in 1875 he came across the con- 
tinent to San Francisco, at once beginning to work in a grocery in the latter 
city. Five years were spent in a store there, and he then came to the Xapa 
valley and settled at Rutherford, where now he makes his home. 

Prior to his removal from Xew York City Mr. Hopmann married Miss 
Louisa Wilhelmina Schlobaum. who was born and reared in Germany, but 
came to this country in young girlhood. Six children were born of their union, 
namely : William Y.. Harry, Richard. Louisa. Anna and Delia. The eldest 
sen. William Y.. who is superintendent at Healdsburg, Sonoma county, for 
the French-American Wine Company, married Anna Roberts and they are the 
parent^ of two sons. Theodore and George. The eldest daughter in the Hop- 
mann family. Louisa, became the wife of Hugh Smith, of San Francisco, and 
they have two daughters. Evalina and Anna. The second son. Harry, acts as 
his father'- assistant at Rutherford. The wine cellar has a large capacity and 
conducts an important business among the grape-raisers of the valley, to whom 
was paid for grapes during the year 1911, from S17 to $18 per ton. 

In addition to the management of the company's interests, Mr. Hopmann 
has acquired and now superintends landed interest- of his own, having pur- 
chased forty-four acres in the Xapa valley. Twenty-seven acres of the farm 
are under cultivation to a vineyard and there are also four hundred prune 
trees in bearing condition. The balance of the land is utilized for the raising 
of grain or corn and four head of horses are kept for the purpose of cultivating 



752 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the land and hauling away the crops. While deeply loyal to the welfare of his 
adopted country and a believer in Republican principles. Mr. Hopmann at no 
time has sought official honors or local prominence in partisan affairs, but on 
the other hand he has been inclined to avoid politics, preferring to concentrate 
his attention upon his own business enterprises. The Presbyterian Church 
has had the benefit of his contributions to missionary movements. Devoted 
to the creed of that denomination, he has endeavored by his deeds and words 
to exemplify the teachings of Christianity and the doctrines of that branch of 
Protestantism. 



CONSTANT BRUNO. 

In Napa county there may be found many men and women of foreign 
extraction who have come to this country and made their homes and achieved 
notable successes along their own particular lines of work. Among these 
may be noted Constant Bruno, a well-known horticulturist and olive grower 
of Napa county. He was born in Susa, Italy, October 12, 1871. His boy- 
hood days were spent in his home country, after which he was in Canada 
for three months, and thence came to California in January, 1904, and imme- 
diately settled in Napa county. For four months after his arrival in this 
county he was in the employ of Dr. Stark, and at the present time is fore- 
man of Prof. E. P. Heald's ranch of two hundred and forty acres. Sixty 
acres are in fruit, olives, peaches and prunes, and the remainder of the land 
is in pasture. 

Mr. Bruno married Miss Mary Bruno, who was born in Italy in 1871. 
Five children were born to them, John, Victor, Cecera, Adam and Francis. 
Four of the children are attending school. Although Mr. Bruno does not 
vote he has been a Republican for the last two years, and is well satisfied 
with the country to which he has come. 



MRS. GEORGINE BERTRAM HOLSTEN. 

Among the business enterprises that are contributing to the well-being of 
Fairfield is the up-to-date bakery and delicatessen of which Mrs. Holsten is 
the proprietor. She has a large patronage, which has been built up solely on 
the dependable quality of the goods which she handles, all of which are made 
and sold under her immediate supervision. 

A native of Germany, Mrs. Holsten was born in Frestorf, Hanover, the 
daughter of Carl Meyer, also a native of Frestorf, where he was engaged in 
agriculture on a large scale, owning three farms. In addition to this he also 
manufactured brick and tile, owning valuable clay banks that supplied the 
necessary material. He lived to attain the age of eighty-five years, passing 
away in 1903. The wife and mother was in maidenhood Maria Vadelmann, 
who died at the early age of twenty-six years. Three daughters were born of 
this marriage, of whom only one besides Mrs. Holsten is living. The young- 
est of the children, she was educated in the public schools of Frestorf and was 
there reared to young womanhood. Her first marriage united her with Carl 
Bertram, by whom she had two sons, Julius Bertram, a machinist in St. Louis, 
Mo., and Carl, chandelier-maker in Cleveland, Ohio. Her second marriage 
united her with John Holsten. 

Mrs. Holsten remained a resident of her native country until 1892, when 
she set sail for the United States, landing in New York City in due time. 
After continuing in the metropolis for two years she came to the Pacific coast 
and for two years was located in San Francisco, her residence in Fairfield 
dating from the year 1896. Establishing a bakery business on a modest scale, 



HISTORY OF SOLA XO AND NAPA COUNTIES 755 

her patronage has in tin- meantime grown to large proportions, and in justice 
it may be said thai she lias the most modern and up to date establishment of 
tin.- kind in town. She owns the building in which the bakery is located, a 
fine two story building at the corner of rexas and Jackson streets, and also 
her residence a block away. As an outgrowth <>i the original business as 
started a number oi years ago. she has added the handling of ice cream and 
dainties and also serves light refreshments in the cafe. In her undertaking 
she has demonstrated beyond question her ability as a business woman, and 
the Superior quality of the goods which she handles has made her name a 
household word in the locality. She was reared in the Lutheran faith and 
still adheres to the teaching oi her youth, being identified by membership 
with the church of that denomination at Cordelia. 



HEXRY AUGUSTUS i:\SSFORD. 

Mention of the name Bassford calls to mind that sturdy pioneer Joseph 
M. Bassford, who came to California in the memorable year of 184''. ami 
thereafter until his death, forty-five years later, labored indefatigabl) in rais- 
ing the standard oi horticulture and pomology in his community, to the end 
that he became known as an authority on these subjects throughout a wide 
territory. Coming to Xapa valley in the late 60\s he purchased a choice tract 
o\ two hundred and eighty acres in the heart of the valley which under his 
trained hand yielded abundantly, first of grain, and later of fruits, he having 
in the meantime set out cherry, apricot, pear, peach and plum trees, making a 
specialty, however, of cherries. In promoting this useful industry he did not 
lose sight of the possibility and desirability of beauty and harmony in laying 
out his grounds, and surrounding his capacious residence and fine barns were 
wide and substantial drives, graceful walks, which were lined with tropical 
shade trees, plants and beautiful flowers. He was a great lover of the horse, 
ami at one time was the owner of the Hambletonian stallion Abdallah. which 
he finally sold for $10,000. Fond of sports of all kinds, he was an expert with 
the rod and gun. and always had a number of fine dogs upon his place. Before 
coming to the west Mr. Bassford had married Julia Sprague, and two of their 
children. Fordham C. and George \\\. were born in Xew York state. After 
the removal of the parents to California the family was enlarged by the birth 
of J. M.. Henry A.. Frank J., Amelia, Julia, and Beecher F. Of Mr. Bass- 
ford's second marriage, which united him with Kate McGlency, a native of 
Philadelphia, three children were born, Abraham T., Mamie, and Ida. Mr. 
I'.assford passed away in 1894, at the age of seventy-five years, leaving behind 
him the record of a life well spent, one that might be copied with impunity by 
the present generation. 

The worthy son of a worthy father. Henry A. Bassford was born in 
Benicia. Solano county. Cal.. June 25, 1856. inheriting in a marked degree 
those estimable qualities that had shaped the career of his father. Xot the 
least of his inheritances was a love for horticulture and allied interests, and 
he therefore proved an apt pupil under his skilled father. After a grounding 
in the elementary courses of the common schools he attended Xapa College 
and California College of Vacaville. graduating from the latter institution. 
The study of pomology and other branches of horticulture was then taken up 
in earnest, and so expert did he become in the industry that his sen ices were 
in constant demand to establish orchards for others. Of the many orchards 
which stand as evidence of his skill two may be mentioned, those owned by 
Mrs. Fliza P. Buckingham and the Earl Fruit Company, seventy-five acres of 
the latter property at one time belonging to Mr. Bassford. 

Mr. Bassford's home ranch comprises two hundred and eighty-five acres 
in Solano county near Vacaville. Here he has about two hundred and fifty 



758 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Martha E. Moody, who was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., a daughter of Isaiah 
Van Sant and Mary (Simpson) Moody. From Tennessee they removed to 
Springfield, Mo. By a former marriage Mr. Huston has one child, Edmund, 
and a granddaughter, Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Huston have adopted two orphan 
children, Bessie May and William Jennings, brother and sister, whom they 
are rearing and educating. Mr. Huston is a member of the Odd Fellows and 
in politics is a stanch Republican. Both Mr. and Mrs. Huston are members 
of the Christian church in Napa. Since becoming a resident of this county 
Mr. Huston has entered heartily into all progressive movements for the up- 
building of the county and the general welfare of the citizens, and in their 
community both he and his wife have a large circle of friends. 



HJALMAR LUNDELL. 

An activity marked by successful achievement and guided by practical 
judgment has been a predominant characteristic of Mr. Lundell, who, yet in 
the vigor of young manhood, has worked his way forward to a position as 
justly merited as it is worthily won. Born in Sweden in January of 1886, he 
displayed in boyhood qualities indicative of unusual ability. Possessing 
reasoning faculties of an high order, he reasoned from cause to effect in all 
of his studies and proved to his instructors that his mental endowments were 
noteworthy. While still in the grammar school in his native land he began 
to be interested in telegraphy. Its mysteries fascinated him and he was not 
content until he had mastered them with his customary thoroughness. After 
he had passed a rigid examination in Stockholm, in which he won high honors 
notwithstanding his youth, he was assigned to work as an operator and gained 
considerable experience in the work before leaving home for a distant land. 

Upon coming to the United States at the age of seventeen years Mr. Lun- 
dell secured employment at his chosen occupation in Chicago and later worked 
in the machine shops at Pekin, 111. With the development of wireless teleg- 
raphy he began to study its intricacies and soon had mastered the entire 
system as propounded by its original projectors. Young men with such 
knowledge were greatly in demand and he was kept busy in details connected 
with the development of this form of telegraphy. In this way he found it 
advantageous to come to California, where the year 1905 found him identified 
with the machine and electrical shops at Oakland. It was during the period 
of his residence in Oakland that he met and married Miss Anne Osterman, by 
whom he now has two children, Ernest and Rita. 

As assistant engineer of the Pacific Wireless Telegraph Company Mr. 
Lundell engaged in the task of locating wireless stations on the coast. At 
the expiration of three years he returned to Oakland and there located a shop 
for the company, in their interests building several large stations as well as 
numerous smaller ones. While he still maintains an intense interest in all 
matters pertaining to wireless telegraphy, he has relinquished its heaviest 
activities in order to turn his attention to farming in the Napa valley. Here 
he operates and occupies twelve acres of the Burke ranch, on which he has 
one-quarter of an acre in strawberries of choice varieties. Potatoes also are 
raised here with all other kinds of garden truck and considerable field corn, 
while in addition an orchard has been started containing trees of the choicest 
varieties of fruit. Recently he assumed the management of the Blake ranch 
of six hundred and forty acres in the Howell mountains, where there are fifty 
acres in meadow and ten acres in an orchard of carefully selected fruit trees, 
with a small vineyard furnishing grapes for family use. A number of cows 
are kept on the place and four horses are kept to do the field work as well as 
haul the produce to market. There is some timber on the ranch and sufficient 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 761 

grass to furnish pasturage for the stock. While residing in ( Oakland Mr. Fun- 
ded was a member of the Swedish Society of thai city and also maintained a 
deep interesl in the work of the Good Templars Lodge, with which he long 
has been connected. A careful study <>i conditions as they exist today has 
led him to embrace the theories of the Socialist organization and he has been 
a steadfast admirer of the principles set forth by the late I tenry George, whose 
views he believes to have been carefully formed and wisely expounded. 

GEN. M. G. V M.l.KJO. 

January IS, 1890. was the date of the death of Gen. Mariano Guadalupe 
Vallejo. in Sonoma, and marks the close of one of the most brilliant careers in 
the history of the commonwealth of California. I lis hands did much in shap- 
ing the destiny of this magnificent state, and the great heart of the man was 
constantly manifested in his benefactions and acts of kindness to those less 
favored. 

Of Spanish origin, the first of the family of whom we have any authentic 
knowledge is Don Geronimo Vallejo, a native of Spain, who with his wife, 
before her marriage Dona Antonia Gomez, came as an official of the Spanish 
government and settled in Mexico, there passing the remainder of his days. 
Among the children of this marriage was Don Ignacio Vicente Ferrer Vallejo, 
who was bom in the state of Jalisco. Mexico, near Guadalajara, in 1748, and 
died in Monterey, Cal.. in 1832. He was destined to be a leader among his 
people, and as judge t^i the country, was sent by the king up the coast to make 
a report of the Spanish expeditions to the north. The commission executed 
satisfactorily, he returned to Monterey, Cal.. where he located permanently. 
In the meantime he became interested in the various missions along the coast 
and gave invaluable assistance to the missionaries. His marriage united him 
with the young and beautiful Spanish senorita. Marie Antonia Lugo, between 
whose ages there was a great disparity, he being twenty-one years her senior, 
but nevertheless their union was one of continued bliss and happiness. Both 
lived to good old ages, and after his death she survived only a few years, pass- 
in- away at the age of seventy-nine. 

Thirteen children were born to this couple, of whom the eighth child was 
Mariano G. Vallejo. the subject of this sketch, who was born July 7, 1808, in 
the old town of Monterey, Cal. During his boyhood the facilities for obtain- 
ing an education were exceedingly meager, and after complaint had been made 
to the Mexican governor, Professor Azpiroz was sent from Mexico to become 
public instructor at Monterey. It was due to the invaluable assistance of the 
latter that Mariano Vallejo was able to lay the good foundation for the broad, 
deep knowledge that he later acquired. Not only was his mind capable of 
acquiring knowledge quickly, but once acquired it was never forgotten, his 
mind to the last being a perfect storehouse of facts that had been utterly for- 
gotten by his contemporaries. Far from being a recluse, he yet had a mosl 
tender affection for his books, and was never so happy as when poring over 
one of his beloved volumes. All of his reading was along practical lines and 
he sought to put into practice the lessons which he learned thereby. Even 
more than was his father, he was destined to come into prominence as a man 
of power in his community and he bravely and courageously accepted the 
duties as they came to him and handled them with a master hand. At lin- 
age of sixteen years he took his place in the ranks of the standing army of 
Mexico, and at the same time held the responsible position of private secretary 
to the governor. It was while filling this position that he had the honor of 
drawing up the articles of capitulation that acknowledged the surrender of 
Spanish forces to the Mexican government. Military leadership was strongly 

35 



762 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

marked in the make-up of the young soldier, and upon attaining his majority 
he was put in command of the presidio of San Francisco. Upon the deposition 
of Governor Chico in 1836 Vallejo's popularity with the people placed him 
in the gubernatorial chair. He accepted the appointment, but immediately 
turned the reins of civil authority over to Alvarado, president of the terri- 
torial deputation, he himself retaining control of the military forces. 

The first town laid out in California north of the bay of San Francisco 
was Sonoma, and General Vallejo established the lines and boundaries alone 
with the aid of a pocket compass. As early as 1838 he had brought from 
the city of Mexico a complete printing outfit ( by means of which he reached 
his people through published addresses. He was an indefatigable worker, 
and it is said that he himself set the type, worked the press, bound the pam- 
phlets and distributed them with his own hands. 

His control as director of colonization extended over a great area of 
country that has since become one of the most productive agricultural dis- 
tricts in the state. This was known as the Petaluma rancho, including Peta- 
luma, Vallejo, Vacaville and Santa Rosa, and here he inaugurated an agricul- 
tural industry that he little dreamed would assume the magnificent propor- 
tions that prevail today. The young settlement flourished under the leader- 
ship of Vallejo, who though born to military life, took gracefully to agricul- 
ture and stock-raising, and at considerable expense brought horses and cattle 
from the southern country, from which grew the large herds which he owned. 

In 1852, after his vineyard was well established, General Vallejo began 
the erection of the house in which he was to spend his last days. The lumber 
for this mansion was hauled by teams from Vallejo; the brick was brought 
from the Sandwich Islands, and the marble mantle-pieces were purchased in 
Honolulu. Even at $17 a day it was difficult to get carpenters to carry for- 
ward the work. It is estimated that the house cost $50,000. The grounds 
were in keeping with the residence, orange, lemon and evergreen trees being 
planted, and two magnificent marble fountains added further beauty to the 
lawns. In gratification of an extravagant whim he sent to Germany for a 
large pavilion made of bamboo, iron and glass. This he erected at Lachryma 
Montis as a summer house for his children, entailing an expenditure of 
$80,000. All that now remains of this beautiful piece of architecture are the 
pillars, in the form of battleaxes, which now serve as posts for the fence that 
surrounds the private property. Here in the midst of luxurious surroundings 
the later years of General Vallejo were passed quietly, although he was con- 
stantly sought to take part in public and upbuilding measures. For several 
years he was treasurer of the State Horticultural Society and for many years 
was a devoted member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, of which he 
was the oldest representative. 

Although at one time a man of vast wealth. General Vallejo died a poor 
man. He owned the homestead at Sonoma and the Pajaro ranch in Monte- 
rey county, inherited from his father, but aside from these he had nothing. 
Incidents of his great generosity were numerous and were the cause of the 
great lessening in his fortunes. 

General Vallejo's marriage united him with Francisca Benicia Carrillo, 
who was born in San Diego, Cal., of Spanish ancestry, and died January 30, 
1891. Sixteen children were born to their union: Andronico died in infancy; 
the second child to bear the name of Andronico died after reaching maturity; 
Epifania G. became the wife of Gen. John B. Frisbie; Adela R., deceased, be- 
came the wife of L. C. Frisbie, M. D. ; Natalia became the wife of Attila 
Haraszthy; Plutarco died in infancy; Platon was a physician of Vallejo; 
Guadalupe died in infancy ; Jovita married Arpad Haraszthy ; Uladislao E. 
was the next in order of birth; Benicia died in infancy; Plutarco, the second 
of that name, also died in infancy; Napoleon P. was the next child; Benicia, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND N \l" V COUNTIES 763 

the second of that name, died young; Louisa is the widow of K. Emparan; 
and Maria is the wife of Harry Cutter. 

One of General Vallejo's younger children, Mrs. Louisa Emparan, was 

l>.<rn at her present home, Lachryma Montis, in the town of Sonoma, where 
she now owns about three hundred acres of her Father's old homestead. She 
is the widow (<f Ricardo R. de Emparan, a native ^i Mexico, and at one time 
consul to San Diego, and later holding this appointment at San Francisco. 
He died in Mexico in June. 1902, leaving besides Ins wife three children, 
Anita, the wife "i A. M. Thomson, M. D., <>\ Sonoma: Carlos and Raoul. 



JOHN HARTLEY. 

It is asserted by men competent to judge horticultural conditions through 
OUl Northern California that there is no tract better adapted to the fruit 
industry than the famous Sansal fruit farm, of which John Hartley is the 
owner. Not alone is the climate admirably suited to the development of 
luscious fruit, but the soil also aids in giving to the product attractive size 
and unsurpassed sweetness, while the proximity to large cities and first-class 
markets enables the owner to receive returns as gratifying as they are merited. 
The orchards lie on the Big Ranch road in the Xapa valley and well repay a 
visit, especially during the season of the marketing of the crop. The thrifty 
proprietor of the farm is of English birth and ancestry and was born in York- 
shire in 1862. As a boy he attended the local schools and in youth he leariied 
the trade <<\ cloth manufacturing. After some years at the trade he became 
dissatisfied with the work and the wages and came to America. Crossing the 
ocean in 1887 he proceeded to California and settled near Fresno with the 
Central colony, an organization formed for the raising of fruit. Associated 
with him were two brothers and a specialty was made of grapes, but other 
products also were raised successfully. The Hartley Brothers ranch acquired 
a local reputation through the skill and energy of its proprietors and their 
success in the face of previous lack of experience proved that they were men 
with natural inclinations toward horticulture. 

After seventeen years in Fresno county, in 1904 John Hartley came to 
the Xapa valley and bought the Leonard Coales ranch of ninety acres, after- 
ward purchasing the William Hunter ranch of forty-five acres, making in all 
one hundred and thirty-five acres, originally a part of the Vallejo grant and 
known far and wide as one of the most productive estates. Not only is the 
soil rich, but it also has the elements particularly adapted to fruit culture. 
There are now on the ranch fifty acres in bearing prunes, twelve acres in 
bearing peaches and five acres in bearing plums, besides twenty acres of young 
orchard not yet in bearing. The annual average net returns from prunes are 
from SI 50 to $300 per acre, from peaches $75 to S100 and from plums $200 
per acre. On the place are many choice Fnglish walnut trees, one of which, 
planted by William Hunter twenty years ago, has never missed a crop. This 
is known as Hartley's walnut; it yields a most satisfactory crop, and it is the 
concensus of opinion that the nut is one of the largest and finest grown in the 
state. Mr. Hartley is preparing to produce the walnut on account of the 
many recpiests he has had for it. The nuts arc very large and bring a net 
price of fifteen cents a pound. Clairac prunes are also raised on this ranch 
and have the distinction of being the largest prunes raised in the entire state. 
A display of this variety was made in the Ferry building, San Francisco, dur- 
ing the recent fruit exhibit held there. 

Upon coming to the United State-, and settling in the west Mr. Hartley 
was unmarried and it was not until some years later that he established a home 
of his own. During 1894 he was united in marriage in Fresno with Miss 



764 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Hermine Linde, a native of Hanover, Germany, and a woman of estimable 
qualities of mind and heart. They are the parents of five children, Linde, 
Joseph, James, William and Frank, who are attending the local and high 
schools. With an unquestioned devotion to the country of his adoption Mr. 
Hartley has taken a deep interest locally, and while not an aspirant to county 
office, has consented to serve as clerk of the school board of Salvador district, 
and is much interested in bringing the schools of the county up to a high 
standard. He is a member of the Napa Farmers' Union, in which he has 
promoted organized work for the benefit of the horticulturists and agricul- 
turists of this region. 



ST. HELENA CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The style and character of the buildings of any community are cer- 
tainly an indication of the trend of the inhabitants in the matter of their 
daily living and habits of life. The people usually have what they want in 
the line of edifices. Applying this principle to St. Helena, we have a 
very fair idea as to the nature of the men and women who comprise the 
population. There are a number of fine structures in this place, but few 
are finer from an architectural standpoint than the St. Helena Catholic 
Church, a fine modern stone edifice that plainly indicates the religious senti- 
ments of the people. 

The parish was established in 1887, Father Buholzer being the first pastor 
and he was succeeded by Father Melvin, who in turn was succeeded by 
Father Becker. Father Blake, the present incumbent, came to the church 
as pastor in 1892 and has devoted his entire time to the work. Under his 
masterful hand and spiritual direction it has prospered, increasing from a 
very small number of communicants to over fifteen hundred at the. present 
time. During his time over one thousand have been received into the church 
by baptism. The pastor has buried two hundred and fifty and married one 
hundred and fifty. 

The grounds of the parish church are beautifully decorated and laid 
out with trees of many varieties, orange, olives, shade trees and ornamental 
shrubs, all planted by the untiring hand of Father Blake. The present edifice 
is built of stone and was erected in 1890. It is all paid for, the money being 
liberally subscribed by the communicants and friends. This church is an 
influence that is felt in the locality and town and a factor in the general ad- 
vancement that is not to be despised, for it stands for all that is right and 
just and true. 

Rev. Patrick Vaugh Blake was born in County Leitrim, the son of John 
and Jane (Vaugh) Blake, who were farmers in Leitrim where they raised a 
large family of ten children. It is an interesting fact that his mother was 
raised in the Church of England and was not converted to the Catholic 
faith until some years after her marriage. The Blake family of course were 
Catholic, as his ancestors from the south of Ireland chose rather to go to 
Connaught than to Hell, as per Cromwell's alternative to them from the 
English pale, "To go to Hell or to Connaught." 

Reverend Blake was educated in the public schools and then apprenticed 
to a business life in a general store at Mohill, and worked his way up, later 
going to Dublin, then to Glasgow, Scotland, where he held a position in 
the counting house of Mann, Byers & Co. While there he felt a call to the 
ministry and began his studies at the Andersonian University in Glasgow, 
then completing his classics at Queen's University, Dublin. He then studied 
logic at Dundalk College and theology at Jefferson College in Louisiana. 
He was ordained at St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco, December 23, 1883, 
by Rt. Rev. Archbishop Riordan. He was assistant at Spanishtown five 







£/r7£? i}}\Mjvirp/X 




HISTORY OF SOLANO wn \ \1'\ D HJNTIES 

months, then pastor of Park City, Utah, after which as president he founded 
and opened All Hallows College in Salt Lake City. This was at a time 
when Mormonism was rampant. However, the college was crowned with 

SUCCeSS. for at the end >^i the first year tiny had two hundred and fifty two 
students and today it is very flourishing and one of the finest in the west. 

Father Blake then became secretary to Archbishop Kiordan in San 
Francisco, continuing for nearly four years, when on account of ill health 
be was ordered by his physician to get away from the city. He then became 
pastor of five missions along the coast, from Humboldt to the Sonoma 
county line, along the mighty Pacific ocean, making his circuit by team and 
Stage. For fifteen months he labored and regained his health; in February, 
1892, he was appointed pastor of St. Helena and since then has given it 
his entire attention, and his labors, though under great obstacles, have 
borne much good fruit. He also founded the Catholic church at Calistoga 
and now has a beautiful church and large congregation. The St. Helena 
Catholic Cemetery is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the United 
States, everything there speaking of faith and hope. 



JOHN BENJAMIN MAYHOOD. 

That it is possible to achieve success in California in the face of a dis- 
couraging outlook has been proved modestly but effectively in thousands 
o\ instances, not the least of which is that afforded by the growing pros- 
perity of John Benjamin Mayhood, a land-owner in Solano county. When he 
came here from the east at the age of thirty-three years he had a family 
to support and less than $100 between him and destitution. It had seemed 
impossible to save any of his earnings and he felt the need of preparing 
for the future, so he determined to try his fortune in the west, a decision 
he has had no cause to regret. Years of industry and perseverance have 
brought their merited reward and have enabled him to rise out of poverty into 
independence, out of obscurity into local prominence, and while he has 
steadfastly refused official honors and has taken no part whatever in public 
affairs he has been none the less prominent because of his modest shrinking 
from enterprises not connected with his private matters. 

Born in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, in 1844, John Benjamin Mayhood lost 
his parents in early life and was obliged to earn his livelihood from boyhood, 
which prevented him from gaining the education he so greatly desired. Al- 
together he attended school only nine months in his life. This fact would 
not be detected by an acquaintance, for by observation, careful reading and 
thoughtful study of the issues of the age he has acquired a fund of informa- 
tion broader than that possessed by many a college graduate. Reared to 
farm work, he also learned the trade of a blacksmith and followed both 
occupations at different periods of his early manhood. In 1865 he came to 
the United States and landed at Philadelphia, going from there to Water- 
town. N. Y.. and later to Lowville, Lewis county. There he secured em- 
ployment and remained for thirteen years, when he was burned out, after 
which he concluded to remove to the west. 

The marriage of Mr. Mayhood in 1869 united him with Miss Ada Copley, 
a native of New York state. They became the parents of six children, all 
but one of whom are still living. Leon H., born in 1872, married Miss Sarah 
Neitzel and they have one child. Myrtle is the wife of William Neitzel, of 
the Suisun valley, and they are the parents of one child. Lois Alice resides 
with her parents. Ray H., born in 1880, studied in the Cordelia grammar- 
school and the Sacramento high school and now is employed in the Fort Sutter 
Rank at Sacramento. The youngest member of the family circle, Maude A., 
is the wife of F. T. Sweeney, of Oakland, this state. Upon coming to this 



768 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

state in 1877 Mr. Maywood established a home at Cordelia, Solano county, 
where he worked for wages, for a time in a vineyard, later in a hotel and 
afterward in the timber industry. After a time he rented a ranch of two 
hundred and fifty-six acres. For ten years he worked as a renter and then 
bought the property in 1901, since which time he has devoted himself closely 
to the cultivation of the land. The Mayhood ranch, as it is called, is located 
one mile north of Cordelia and is well known for its fertility and productive- 
ness. The beauty of the place is enhanced by a row of cypress trees that 
line the driveway to the ranch house, the trees having been set out by the 
owner. In crops his specialties are hay and grain, while in stock he makes 
a specialty of horses and sheep. Almost thirty-five acres of the ranch are 
in a vineyard, the sales from which bring a large revenue to the owner. 
A taste for farming leads him to devote himself closely to the management 
of his property, so that he finds no leisure for participation in public affairs, 
in which, indeed, he takes no part whatever aside from voting the Demo- 
cratic ticket at all presidential elections. 



CALEB GOSLING. 

The identification of Mr. Gosling with the material upbuilding of Cali- 
fornia began with his arrival in the state during the summer of 1850, while 
the excitement concerning gold still ran high and a chaotic condition pre- 
vailed that only with the slow passing of years gave way to a reign of law 
and order. The business in which he first engaged, that of running a steam- 
boat between San Francisco and Marysville, brought him into direct con- 
tact with thousands of the immigrants and enabled him to judge accurately 
concerning the country and its cosmopolitan population. With the subse- 
quent establishment of a home upon a farm he entered upon an era of quiet 
industry and witnessed few events as exciting as those of younger years. 
In the fullness of time he passed to his eternal rest, thus lessening by another 
vacant chair the fast diminishing ranks of our honored pioneers. 

Born in England, January 16, 1829, Caleb Gosling accompanied his 
parents to America in 1836 when he was a boy of seven years and with 
them he settled in Oakland county, Mich., then considered the frontier. 
He obtained a good education in the public schools of his locality and in 
spite of many disadvantages, gained a valuable fund of information through 
habits of close observation and his travels proved to be valuable educational 
factors. Leaving home in 1846 to make his own way in the world, he drifted 
into the steamboat business and for a time held a position on a Mississippi 
river boat plying between Memphis and St. Louis. It was during his occu- 
pancy of this position that he heard of the discovery of gold in California 
and immediately he began to make plans to go to the coast. May 5, 1850, 
he started overland with a party of emigrants and after a comparatively 
brief journey he landed in Sacramento. Soon afterward he secured work 
on a steamboat and continued with the same vessel until it sank, in March 
of 1851. Soon afterward he returned east via Panama and when he again 
came to California it was via that same route, accompanied by his bride. 

After a brief experience as proprietor of the Bee Hive house and an 
adjoining bakery in Sacramento, the call of the farm came to Mr. Gosling 
and during the fall of 1852 he settled near Freeport on the Sacramento river, 
where he began to develop a farm. A number of years were spent there 
with fair profit to himself. During 1869 he purchased two thousand acres 
in the Berryessa valley of Napa county and to this vast tract he removed, 
devoting its area principally to the raising of stock. At one time he had 
two thousand sheep on the range besides many head of cattle. Eventually 
he turned over the management of the estate to a son and retired from 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 769 

agricultural activities, establishing a home in the city of Napa, where he 
died May 28, 190ft Personally he was a man of splendid traits of character 
ami would have been admirably qualified to represenl the people in office, 
hut official responsibilities were not to his liking and the only position he 
over consented to hold was thai of supervisor, Elected in 1879 to repre- 
sent his district as a member of the board, he served for two terms with 
fidelity, intelligence and recognized efficiency. 

The marriage of Caleb Gosling took place A.ugus1 11, 1853, ami united 
him with Miss Elizabeth Windiate, a native of England. Eleven children 
were horn oi the union, hut four are deceased, namely: Frank W., Emily 
E., Austin F. and Letitia A. Those living are Adela (Mrs. F. G. Huskey), 
Mary E., Lucy E., William II.. Emma M., Mattie J. and Alice A. Of these 
William 11.. horn in Michigan m 1866, grew to manhood on the farm in 
Xapa county and there remained as an assistant to his father, whom eventu- 
ally he succeeded as manager of the estate. The Gosling ranch of three 
thousand and eighty-five acres is devoted to farming and stock. At pres- 
ent the ranch is rented to other parties and Mr. Gosling has a small farm 
just north of Napa, which he occupies and operates. Like his father, he 
prefers to devote his attention exclusively to farming, hut for a brief period 
he consented to fill the position of deputy county clerk. In fraternal mat- 
ters he holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and 
maintains a warm interest in lodge affairs. By his marriage to Miss Sarah 
Chapman he has seven children. Adah. Mazie, Evangeline. William, George, 
Martha and Edgar Vinton. Mrs. Gosling died in Berryessa valley in 1902, 
and in 190S Mr. Gosling was again married, this union being to Mrs. Mollie 
Stafford, who now makes her home in Oakland. 



CAPT. GEORGE GRAFTON PINKHAM. 

A native of Maine, George G. Pinkham was born in Kennebunk Port, 
York county, in 1839, the son of Silas and Emily (Grant) Pinkham, both 
natives of that same place. The former was master of a merchant vessel 
and was lost at sea in the Bay of Fundy. the accident occurring by two ves- 
sels colliding, and he was never heard of afterwards. The paternal grand- 
father. Paul Pinkham. came from Nantucket and was a very early settler 
in York county. Mrs. Emily Pinkham was a woman of strong character 
and reared her children to habits of industry, sobriety and honesty, and 
when George G. left his home she exacted a promise from him that he 
would never use intoxicating liquors in any form, a promise that he has 
never broken. She passed away in the old home in Maine. 

George G. Pinkham was the second youngest in a family of six, and 
his childhood was spent in Kennebunk Port, where he received his educa- 
tion in the public schools. A- a boy he went to sea, sailing on fishing boats 
and in the coasting trade until 1852. In his travels he had heard and read 
considerable of the advantages to he found in the far western country and 
in the above year he decided to try his fortunes in California. Accordingly 
he took passage to Greytown, then was poled up the Chagres river by the 
natives, thence walked to Panama, where he embarked on an old propeller, 
and twenty days later (December 22, 1852) was landed in San Francisco. 
He secured work at once "bucking" two-hundred-pound sacks of wheat on 
the wharf, continuing in the employ of the same man for the following year; 
however, this employer "heat" him out of S2.000 that he had borrowed from 
him. At the end of the year he bought a schooner and ran her from San 
Francisco to Alviso hay. Three years later he sold her and built the steamer 
Napa City, making regular trips to San Francisco, clearing SI. 700 the first 



770 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

month. He continued to run her regularly for many years and was very 
successful in the enterprise, but wishing to retire, he sold her and is now 
living retired in peace and plenty at his home No. 34 Grant avenue, Napa. 
Mr. Pinkham was united in marriage at his home city with Miss Melissa 
Rice, who was born in Massachusetts. They had four children born to 
them, viz: William, who was accidentally drowned in boyhood; George, a 
resident of Napa; Lillie, who became the wife of Robert Lamdin; and 
Howard, formerly captain of the Zinfandel, and living in Napa. Captain 
Pinkham is a Republican in politics and is a Mason. He is a gentleman of 
the "old school" and believes that when a man has obtained a competency 
that he should retire and give the young men a show to make a name and 
secure a place in the business world. 



CHARLES W. LANE. 

Soon after the birth of Charles W. Lane, which occurred in New York 
state in 1842, the family moved to Wisconsin and later resided in Minnesota. 
On the outbreak of hostilities in 1861 Mr. Lane enlisted in the Second Min- 
nesota Infantry under Colonel George and later commanded by Colonel 
Bishop. This company was attached to the brigade under General Thomas. 
Mr. Lane took part in thirteen engagements, in all of which he distinguished 
himself by his bravery. At the famous battle of Mission Ridge he was one 
of the first men over the Ridge. Twice wounded, once in the ribs and once 
in the shoulder, he was sent to Nashville, Tenn., to get well, and on his 
way back to join his regiment was nearly captured by the rebel army. After 
three years of valiant service he was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., June 
24, 1864. Returning to Minnesota, he remained there several years and then, 
in 1867, came to California, and settled on a dairy and fruit ranch in Peta- 
luma, Sonoma county. There he worked successfully until his removal in 
1870 to Calistoga, Napa county, where he worked on Gibbs' ranch for nine 
years and spent five years in the employ of E. Light. On leaving that em- 
ploy he bought his present place of twelve acres, called Loma Vista, on 
the hillside near Calistoga, four acres in prunes and balance in pasture. 

In 1866 Mr. Lane married Miss Phoebe A. Page, and to them the fol- 
lowing children were born : Grace, now the wife of George Lincoln of 
Calistoga; Carl A., now of Santa Rosa; Fred, residing at Nome, Alaska; 
Frank, of Fresno; Edward, of Plumas county; and Madge, the wife of Edward 
Riley. Leslie, Page and Harry are deceased. Mr. Lane is a member of 
Gov. Norton Post, No. 41 G A. R., of Calistoga. 



JAMES T. SULLIVAN, V. S. 

Noteworthy among the men of influence in Vallejo is Dr. Sullivan, a 
veterinary surgeon by profession, and who in addition to maintaining his 
professional duties, is also efficiently filling the office of city food inspector 
of Vallejo, a position to which he was appointed in September, 1911. Public- 
spirited, energetic and capable, he is well qualified for the duties which the 
office imposes, and he is equally efficient in the line of his profession. 

The records state that the Sullivan family is of Canadian origin, and 
James T. was born in Brockville, Ontario, July 28, 1865, and was reared and 
educated in his native town. As a preparation for the course which he 
had decided to follow for a life work he took up the study of veterinary 
surgery in the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto and in 1887 graduated 
from that institution with the degree of V. S. His initial experience in his 
profession was enacted in his native surroundings, but February of 1889 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUNTIES 773 

found bim in Eureka, Humboldt county, Cal., where he opened an office 
and carried on his profession until 1893. Believing thai it would be to his 
advantage to make a change of location, he then came to Solano county, and 
in Suisun he enjoyed a very satisfactory professional practice. 

Dr. Sullivan's advent in Yallejo dates from September, 1911, when he 
Opened the office which he still maintains. From a professional and financial 
standpoint the change of location has been all that he could have desired 
and the honor that was conferred upon him in being appointed to the posi 

tion of pure iooA inspector for Yallejo has added no little to his appreciation 
of his home city. 

Dr. Sullivan's marriage occurred April 1 ( \ 188 ( >. in Portland, Ore., unit- 
ing him with Mi>s .Margaret Macdonald. a native of Pennsylvania. Politically 
Dr. Sullivan is a Democrat, and fraternally he is a member of two orders, 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. 



FREDERICK WILLIAM ELLIS. 

A native oi Xew York. Frederick W. Ellis was born April 20, 1841, and 
when one year old his parents moved to Dearborn county, Ind., where he 
was reared until he was eight years of age. At that time, 1849, a terrible 
calamity befell the family, in that his father and mother were stricken with 
cholera and died within twenty minutes of each other, leaving three orphan 
children. Frederick was taken care of by the Masons and Odd Fellows until 
his grandfather came from Xew York and took the lad home with him. Even 
in the face of this great sorrow the boy showed his pluck and determination. 
Being ambitious and independent, when but nineteen years old he started 
for California, via Panama, and arrived in 1860. He proceeded immediately 
to the mines and worked hard there for some time and then started for 
Washoe. Nev., on snow-shoes. The same fall he returned to California and 
came to Xapa valley, searching for work in a flour mill, as he had learned 
milling in Xew York. He engaged his services to Ellis and Erwin in the 
old Bale mill above St. Helena and remained there until 1863, when he went 
to the mines again, but remained only for a few months, and again returned 
to Xapa valley. Here he began working in the Yount flour mill at Yount- 
ville. Such a degree of industry and ability did he possess that he was able 
to work his way to the top and in time purchased the mill where he was 
employed. This was the old mill built by George Yount on the Napa river 
and operated by water power. Mr. Ellis continued the manufacture of flour 
there until the new process came into vogue, when he discontinued it. The 
old mill still stands there, a relic of the early days. From this mill Mr. 
Ellis supplied the merchants in Napa, St. Helena and Yountville with flour, 
besides making a few shipments east. 

In connection with his milling business. Mr. Ellis has also given con- 
siderable time and attention to ranching. He owned fifty-one acres on the 
Xapa river, the site of the Yount flour mill, which he farmed for many years, 
or until he set fifteen acres to grapes, and his widow now continues the 
work of the farm. In Xovember, 1864, he was married at the old Bale mill 
near St. Helena, to Miss Minnie Holland, a native of Oregon City, Ore., and 
the daughter of John and Susan (Martin) Holland, natives of Iowa and 
Virginia, respectively. They came to Oregon overland with ox-teams about 
1844. settling on the present site of Oregon City. In 1847 they came to 
California and for a time were located near Suttees Fort. It was there that 
Mr. Holland saw the first nugget of gold found in the old mill race at Sutter- 
by Mr. Marshall. After following mining for a time Mr. Holland moved 
Tehama county, where he and his wife died. Mrs. Ellis came to Xapa 
in 1861, with an uncle, Dr. Everts, of St. Helena. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are 



774 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

the parents of three children, as follows: Minnie E., the wife of John 
Finnell, of Tehama county; William, who has charge of the old home place; 
and Fred W., Jr., a rancher at Yountville. 

Although always busily occupied in his own commercial and farming 
interests, Mr. Ellis found some time to be of public service, as he was a public 
spirited man and always keenly alive to the interests of the community. 
He was elected to serve two terms as supervisor of the county, which office 
he filled with worthiness and credit. His demise occurred in June, 1910, 
leaving a wife and three children, together with a host of friends to honor 
his memory. After the death of her husband Mrs. Ellis continued on the 
ranch until 1911, when she located in Napa, where she now makes her 
home, and where she has many friends who wish her continued health and 
success and esteem her for her many kind deeds and acts of charity toward 
those who have been less fortunate. Having been a resident of Napa county 
for fifty years she is well posted and an interesting narrator of incidents 
of the early days. 



WILLIAM VON GEMMINGEN HORNBERG. 

A native of Germany, William von Gemmingen Hornberg was born in 
Wurtemberg, June 20. 1854, the son of parents who belonged to a high class 
of German society and for many years had been loyal to the institutions 
of the Fatherland. He passed several years in the fine schools in his native 
land and assimilated much of the true patriotism of his country. On grad- 
uating from the schools in 1870 he volunteered and served in the regular 
army until 1876, participating in the Franco-Prussian war, and at the time 
of his honorable discharge held the commission of lieutenant in the One 
Hundred and Twenty-sixth Infantry of the Royal troops. In 1876- he left 
Germany to come to America and avail himself of her institutions, and he 
never has regretted the step he then took. Landing in Canada he immedi- 
ately went to Buffalo, N. Y., and in 1877 he enlisted in the regular army of 
the United States. Being assigned to the Second United States Artillery, 
he was sent to Governor's Island, N. Y., where he stayed until December 
of the same year. He enlisted in the general service and then went to 
San Antonio, Tex. While there troops were twice sent into Mexico 
to help recover stolen stock. From San Antonio Mr. Hornberg went to, 
Leavenworth, Kan., and there he stayed until he received his honorable 
discharge in 1884. His service in the regular army covered seven years, in 
which he showed himself to be eminently loyal to his oath of allegiance to 
the Republic of the United States. After resigning from the army Mr. 
Hornberg received a position as keeper in the penitentiary, but this appoint- 
ment was given up when some political changes were ushered in. The next 
move, in 1886, was to Minneapolis, Minn., where he remained eighteen 
months, a part of the time engaged in the engineer corps of a railroad. 

From Minneapolis Mr. Hornberg went to Portland, Ore., engaging in 
civil engineering there until 1889. On the outbreak of the Philippine war 
in 1898 he enlisted in the Second Oregon Volunteers, Company G. During 
the war he was in twenty-eight engagements and came out of the arduous 
campaign without a wound. He was honorably discharged in San Fran- 
cisco in August, 1899, with the title of sergeant. 

Mr. Hornberg was married in San Francisco to Miss Ellen Macauley, 
a native of California, and the daughter of George and Susan (Rose) Ma- 
cauley, natives of Pennsylvania. Her great-great-grandfather, Gen. William 
Broadhead, received notoriety as being the first man to bring tea into the 
state of Kentucky and was a general in the Revolutionary war, as was his 
father also. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Macauley six children were 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 775 

bom. all residing in San Francisco, and named as follows: [da R., who be 

came the wife of Wallace Shay; George \\ . : Kate F... who became the wife 
of Harry Grady; Mary A.. Mrs. Frank Corey, now deceased; Ellen 1... Mrs. 
Homberg; and Susie Rose, who became the wife of Thomas Herron. 

In 1907 Mr. Hornberg bought eighty acres of land where he is now 
located, eight miles east ^i St. Helena, ten acres of this being in fruit 
trees, and the balance being used for general farming. There is a hue mineral 
spring on the property, which adds to the value of the place. Politically 
Mr. Hornberg is a Democrat. 



FRED \V. LOEBER. 

In the breeding of standard and blooded horses in Napa county, Fred 
W. Loeber stood alone as the pioneer, for nothing of consequence had been 
done in this line prior to his advent in 187(>, and today all Central California 
is reputed for the excellency of its thoroughbred horses. 

Mr. Loeber was born in Baltimore, Md., November 5, 1856. the son of 
John and Caroline (Sommerlatt) Loeber. He was educated with the view 
^>i becoming a clergyman, but preferring a business life to that of a pro- 
sion, he assisted his father in the capacity of bookkeeper, which occupa- 
tion he followed until 1876. when he came to California and settled about a 
mile below St. Helena. Here he secured control of considerable bottom land 
with a good water supply and plenty of trees, and in addition owned a 
mountain ranch, operated by his brother; all of which was suited to the 
raising >A stock. Beginning in this small way, he gradually increased his 
business as opportunity offered. His first stallion was Naubuc, a full brother 
of the famous Thomas Jefferson. Later Mr. Loeber devoted himself ex- 
clusively to the raising of Hambletonian stock, being the owner of Whipple- 
ton. famous as the sire of fast horses. This horse had the well developed 
Hambletonian characteristics, ebony in color, with tan muzzle and flanks, 
strong and muscular and beautifully proportioned. His colts were uniform 
in cast and all speedy. Alcona is another stallion of note, son of the 
great Almont. a Kentucky thoroughbred, son of Alexander's Abdallah, de- 
scendants of Rysdk's Hambletonian, Alcona's dam, Queen Mary. The cele- 
brated Lillie Stanley (record 2:\7y 2 ) belonging to Hon. J. H. Coombs and 
Hornstead (record2 :\6 l / 2 ) belonging to Senator W. R. Hearst, are both 
of the same get. Alcona was a beautiful chestnut, sixteen and three-tenths 
hands high, of splendid proportions and great speed. Grandissimo, also 
owned by Mr. Loeber. was a full brother of Grandee (record 2:23^ as three- 
year-old), son of LeGrande and descendant of Almont, Jessie Pepper and 
Xotirmhal. She was a mahogany bay, sixteen hands high. 

It is the concensus of opinion that Mr. Loeber did more than any other 
man towards the breeding of standard horses and to him is given the credit 
of having in his day owned some of the fastest and most valuable horses 
in this section of the state. 

It was to his exertions that the Xapa and Solano Agricultural Associa- 
tion at Xapa City owned its existence, it having supposedly one of the best 
tracks in America and was used by the leading horse breeders throughout 
the country. For two years he was president of this association and later 
a director. For many years he was a director and active in the Pacific Coast 
Breeders Association. In 1897 he removed to Baltimore, Md.. where he was 
actively engaged as a commission stockman, and where he did a large busi- 
ness. 

On September 5. 1880, Mr. Loeber was married to Miss Alice Griffith, 
a native of California, who with her two children survive him, his death 



776 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

having occurred in Baltimore June 5, 1906. Ivy M. is secretary of the St. 
Helena Bottling and Cold Storage Company and of the St. Helena Water 
Company, and Grova Alice is a teacher in the Napa county schools. Mr. 
Loeber was an honest man and in every respect a good citizen. Once formed 
he was firm in his opinions and was very influential, being a well-educated 
and cultured man and a most convincing talker. He never allowed himself 
to be swerved from the path of duty as he saw it, by friendship, clamor or 
partisan bias. He was always alert and vigilant in the discharge of his 
responsibilities, and his observation was so keen and his judgment so cor- 
rect that his opposition to things which his judgment did not approve, and 
his endorsement of things he believed would promote the public good, were 
always intelligent and convincing, but his crowning glory was his absolute 
integrity. The social and domestic side of his life was pleasing and affec- 
tionate. He was cordial and unaffected in manner and his nature was kind 
and benevolent. He enjoyed the confidence and respect of friends and his 
passing is sincerely mourned by all classes of citizens. After his death Mrs. 
Loeber returned to St. Helena with her family, where they now make their 
home. They are members of the Episcopal Church, as was also Mr. Loeber. 



ELIAS EVENSON OTTERBECK. 

Napa county can well boast of having the most superb combination of 
climate, scenery and soil on the mighty Pacific. Surrounded by lofty moun- 
tains, it is protected from the ocean fogs on one hand and the summer heat 
on the other. It was this garden spot that Elias E. Otterbeck chose as 
his permanent abiding place. Born 'mid the harsh climatic changes of the 
Norway coast town of Stavem, June 3, 1851, and remaining there until he 
was fourteen years of age, it is not strange that Mr. Otterbeck is one of 
the happy, contented ranchers of this balmy clime. At an early age, with 
the call of the sea ringing in his ears, he followed the inclination and desires 
of his ancestry by becoming a sailor and traveling to all parts of the world, 
with the exception of Russia and China, and visiting every port of the 
Mediterranean. Notwithstanding his extensive travels he prefers California 
to anything he has seen and has no desire to make his home elsewhere. 

Mr. Otterbeck followed the sea until 1882, working his way from cabin 
boy to second officer of the ship. During his experiences he had many narrow 
escapes and was fortunate in being on vessels that saved others from watery 
graves. He rounded Cape of Good Hope twice. After quitting the sea he 
located in Montreal, where he was a marble worker until 1884, when he came 
to San Francisco and engaged in the house moving and contracting business 
quite extensively. In 1907 he came to Napa county, since which time he 
has actively engaged in horticulture and general farming. His home ranch 
comprises three hundred and twenty acres, known as Summit ranch, as it 
lies on the summit of Nuns canyon. It is well watered by streams and numer- 
ous springs, some of them mineral springs of sulphur and iron, and is well 
wooded with oak, madrona, pine and redwood. It is located on the Napa 
and Sonoma county line eight miles from Oakville. Besides the home ranch 
he also owns a ranch known as "Eagles Ire" on the summit above Johannes- 
burg, with three hundred and sixty acres of cultivated land, six acres in 
vineyard, fruit trees of all kinds, vegetables of every variety, pasture land 
for his horses and cattle, combined with beautiful flowers and shrubbery. 
Mr. Otterbeck's ranch is a veritable "land of plenty," of which he may well 
be proud. But this is not all of his possessions, for in San Francisco, where 
he lived for twenty-five years, he owns seven splendid lots valued at $18,000. 

Mr. Otterbeck was united in marriage, July 6, 1880, in Liverpool, England, 








S 




V- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 77" 

to Eline Halvorsen, she also being a native of Norway. They became the 
parents of five children, Palmer, Nathaniel (deceased), Elias, Nathan and 
Esther. Palmer is chief engineer on the torpedo boat Bailey, in the United 
States navy: he is married and has one child, Leo. Nathan married Olive 
Saunders and they have two children. Marguerite and Maurice; the son last 
mentioned resides on the home ranch and assists his father in its cultivation. 
Elias is in Chicago, and Esther is a graduate nurse. 

As a philanthropist, farmer, real estate dealer and promoter Mr. Otterbeck 
is well and favorably known by all with whom he has been brought in con- 
tact in either business or social relations. Mis religious connections are with 
the Seventh Day AdventistS and politically he is independent. 



CLAUS F. JANSEN. 

A native of Germany, Claus F. Jansen was born in Rendsburg, Holstein, 
March 10, 1826. He was educated in the schools of his native place, and in 
young manhood, in 1848, served for three years in the revolution for the in- 
dependence of Sleswick-Holstein. Subsequently he learned the shoemaker's 
trade and followed it in his native land until 1861, in which year he immi- 
grated to the L T nited States, landing in New York City. From there by way 
of Panama he came to California, landing at San Francisco on April 26, 1861. 
From that city he came to Solano county and homesteaded one hundred 
and sixty acres of land three miles east of Dixon, upon which he engaged 
in grain and stock raising. By his energy and industry he became a large 
factor in the growth and upbuilding of the county. 

In Rendsburg, Germany, Mr. Jansen was married in 1850 to Maggie 
Rohwer, who was also a native of Holstein. Six children comprised their 
family. Claus, who married Fredericka Rohweder, resides in Germantown ; 
Margaret married Claus Frahm, and they reside in San Francisco; Anna 
became the wife of Henry Grupe and they make their home in San Francisco, 
with their two children, Henry and Laura; George, who married Anna 
Clauson, died in Germantown; Katie became the wife of Ernest Rohweder, 
and they reside in Spangle, Wash.; Gilmore married Dora Saltzen, and they 
with their two children reside in Dixon. Mrs. Jansen passed away in June, 
1904, after which Mr. Jansen continued to reside on the ranch until February, 
1911. when he sold it and located in San Francisco, where he now makes 
his home with his daughter, Mrs. Anna Grupe. Mr. Jansen is a member 
of the German Lutheran Church. Always public-spirited and enterprising, 
while a resident of Solano county he aided in the upbuilding of his com- 
munity, commercially, educationally and socially, and the residents of Dixon 
hold him in grateful remembrance. 



PAR EDWARD LARSON. 

The home into which Mr. Larson was born in Kalmar lsen, Sweden, 
October 28 1850, was a humble Scandinavian cottage, devoid of comforts 
and containing only the bare necessities. The parents were Lars J. and 
Louisa Wellmark and the children, ten in number, were as follows : John, 
a sailor who in the course of his voyages rounded Cape Horn and sailed up 
to San Francisco in a very early day ; Carl ; Augustus, deceased ; Johann ; P. E. ; 
Matilda, deceased; Matilda (2d); Emma. Eda and Frederica. all of whom 
married and became mothers of three children, the husband of Frederica be- 
ing captain of an ocean vessel. As was the custom in that country he took 
the name of Larson instead of Wellmark. 

When sixteen years of age P. E. Larson came to the United States and 



782 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

mind of Mr. McMillan. In 1881 he came to California and for seven years 
traveled all over the state taking views and making a collection of the same. 
At the end of this time he located in San Francisco and for six years operated 
an art gallery that was well patronized by the public, and then he went to 
Santa Maria, Santa Barbara county, bought property and built a business 
house which he owns today, and there engaged in photography. In 1891 he 
came to Vallejo and started business in a tent. The public soon found out 
that he was an artist and it is said that when he came to Vallejo the other 
photographer had to quit business because he was not able to compete with 
the class of work done by the new comer. 

Fraternally Mr. McMillan is a member of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World and for the last fifteen years 
he has been a trustee of the Red Men of Vallejo. "Mr. McMillan married 
Isabell Floto, a native of Stanislaus county, in 1883, and they have two chil- 
dren, Margaret and Janett. Mr. and Mrs. McMillan enjoy the esteem of 
many well wishers in Vallejo, both being well known because of their readi- 
ness to assist in every philanthropic work. 



JAMES AUGUSTUS DALY. 

There is probably no other one man in Napa county who is as well 
known as James A. Daly, the secretary of the Napa Chamber of Commerce. 
His work as a servant of the public in various capacities has kept him before 
the people constantly since his residence in the county and his geniality of 
character, the ease with which he may be approached, his companionship 
and general worth have won for him a host of friends and acquaintances 
all over the county. Coupled with these characteristics, he has a wonderful 
ability of remembering names and associating names and faces, which has 
helped him much in winning the coveted reputation of being the most widely 
known man in the county. 

James A. Daly was born at Valley Ford, Sonoma county, April 19, 1865, 
and has spent his entire life in northern California. When he was a youth 
the family lived in Lake county and there he received his education in the 
public schools. He applied himself to his studies with such assiduity and 
perseverance that he was qualified to teach at an early age and followed 
that profession for five years in Lake county, after which he engaged in 
the drug business for two years in Lakeport. In 1891 he gave up this busi- 
ness and came to Napa county for the purpose of engaging in farming, asso- 
ciated with his father. In partnership with G. N. Briggs he ran two thresh- 
ing machines and individually followed agricultural pursuits until 1899, when 
he was appointed under-sheriff of the county by Sheriff Dunlap, in which 
capacity he served the county faithfully for twelve years as an efficient 
officer. During this time he traveled all over the county and it was during 
this period of his life that he became such a familiar personage to the people 
of the county and so popular among them. 

In 1903 Mr. Daly was united in marriage with Miss Daisy D. Pulsifer, 
a native of Massachusetts, and to this union one daughter, Ruth, has been 
born. Mr. Daly is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, the 
Woodmen of the World, and the Foresters of America, being recording sec- 
retary of the latter organization. Mr. and Mrs. Daly enjoy the highest 
esteem and respect of their many friends and acquaintances in Napa city 
and county. The regard in which his fellow citizens of Napa hold Mr. Daly 
has been evidenced by the fact that he has been made secretary of the 
Chamber of Commerce, in which position he is doing efficient service. 





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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 785 

ERNEST WILHELM JAENSCH. 

( >n the line of the southernmost railroad traversing the German province 
of Silesia lies the prosperous city of Hirschberg, overlooking on the one 

hand the Bober river, while on the other side it is shadowed by the Riesen 
Gebirge separating the Teutonic empire from the Austrian province of 
Bohemia. Such was the environment Familiar to the childhood years of 
Ernest \\ ilhelm faensch, for he is a native of Hirschberg and was born 
February 6, 1837, being a son of John C. and Beate (Klein) Jaensch, who 
for years lived and labored upon a Silesian farm. As was natural, the 
youth was trained to a knowledge of agriculture and in accordance with the 
laws of his country he gave two years of service to the emperor as a soldier 
in the army, belonging to the Kursier regiment which was stationed at 
Berlin. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the army he secured 
employment in Berlin and continued there until 1863, when he came to the 
United States. From New York he again took passage on an ocean vessel, 
this time sailing to Greytown. where he crossed the Isthmus of Panama. 
Thence by steamer he proceeded to San Francisco, landing September 27, 
1863, and thus bringing to an end an exceedingly long and tedious 
series of voyages. 

Shortly after coming to the west Mr. Jaensch settled in Napa county 
and secured work in a vineyard in Brown's valley. In that position and 
in other connections he continued until 1866, when he embarked in mercantile 
pursuits on First street in Napa. From the first he met with a gratifying 
degree of success. The original stock of goods was very small, but gradually 
he increased the stock as his capital permitted and the trade justified. In 
1870 he moved the stock to the corner of Main and First streets, where a 
brick building offered facilities for the business adequate to his increasing 
needs. Pursuing his calling with diligent application, for years he did not 
allow himself the pleasure of a vacation, but finally he enjoyed an interesting 
and pleasant trip to Europe in 1879, during which year he traveled through 
England, France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. While in London 
he married Miss Helen Schultz, a native of Prenzlau, Germany, and a woman 
of much culture and refinement, being a graduate of a ladies' institute in 
Germany. 

Accompanied by his young wife, Mr. Jaensch returned to the United 
States and received the hearty congratulations of his many friends in Napa. 
Previous to his departure for the old world he had purchased lots on the 
corner of First and Brown streets and on his return he erected a brick 
building, into which in 1880 he moved his stock of general merchandise, 
continuing in the same location for the ensuing eight years. During 1888 
he sold out the business and retired to private life, confining his activities 
to the management of his business houses on First and Brown streets and 
the maintenance of his attractive residence on Calistoga and A streets. Of 
his three children only one remains to brighten his home. The only son, 
Edwin, died in 1907. The youngest daughter, Elsie, is the wife of Robert 
Walker and lives in Vallejo. The older daughter and second child, Miss 
Cora, since her graduation from the University of California, has been 
engaged successfully as an instructor in the Napa high school, where some 
years ago as a student she attracted attention by reason of her splendid 
mental endowments. September 22, 1911. Mr. Jaensch met with a very 
sorrowful loss in the death of his loved wife, a woman who was esteemed 
by everyone for her amiable and loveable disposition and her many virtues. 
In political affiliations Mr. Jaensch has been a staunch Republican ever 
>ince he qualified as an American citizen. Pressed into the party service 
locally, he rendered efficient help as a member of the county central corn- 
it 



786 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

mittee, and also held office for two terms as a member of the city council, 
in which latter position he devoted himself to the welfare of the tax-payers 
irrespective of political sentiments and proved a wise, tactful and energetic 
representative of his ward in the council. 



WILLIAM A. ELGIN. 

No history of Napa county would be complete without mention of that 
pioneer settler of St. Helena, William A. Elgin. A native of the south, he 
was born in Patrick county, Va., January 4, 1829, but when a very small 
child he was taken by his parents to Missouri, and in that state he grew 
to manhood. His public school training was followed by a course of eighteen 
months in Highland Academy, in Jackson county, after which he engaged 
in teaching, a calling which he continued to follow until he came to the 
far west. 

In Springfield, Mo., on March 12, 1851, Mr. Elgin was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Mary Amanda Anderson, who was born in Tennessee, the 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Anderson, who located in Springfield, Mo., 
during the childhood of their daughter. Upon the completion of her school 
course she engaged in teaching and was engaged in this vocation when she 
met her future husband, he also being a teacher in the Springfield school. 
After their marriage Mrs. Elgin continued teaching for one term, giving 
it up at the end of that time to devote her attention to the duties of the 
home. In May, 1853, Mr. and Mrs. Elgin turned their footsteps toward the 
far west, forming a part of the Anderson train, an expedition organized by 
AVilliam L. Anderson, a brother of Mrs. Elgin. In the party were fifteen 
men and two women, the latter Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. Elgin; and the 
journey was made in ox teams. Before starting Mr. Anderson had pur- 
chased in Missouri five hundred head of cattle, but of the number at least 
one-third had perished before Napa county was reached in September. The 
long journey finally ended, Mr. and Mrs. Elgin took up their home on what 
is now the stock farm of H. Taubner Goethe, three miles south of St. Helena. 
On this property Mr. Elgin carried on stock-raising until 1857, when he 
took up his residence in town. Here he opened a general merchandise busi- 
ness, his store being the second to be established in town, and here he con- 
ducted a very prosperous trade for two years. In 1859 he purchased what 
is now Miss Watt's property on Main street, and the following year he 
built the residence that is still occupied, and he also set out a vineyard of 
fifteen acres. After selling his vineyard in 1866 Mr. Elgin engaged in the 
livery business, a venture that proved eminently satisfactory. For two 
seasons early in the '70s he carried on a branch livery business at White 
Sulphur Springs, and continued the business in St. Helena until 1890, when 
he turned the stables over to his sons. 

It was to be expected that a man of Mr. Elgin's abilities for public 
office should be called upon by his fellow citizens to serve in some capacity, 
and his initial office in Napa county was that of supervisor, which he filled 
efficiently for one term, 1859 to 1861. Later he was appointed deputy county 
assessor, his territory extending from Tucker creek on the north to Dry 
creek on the south, and embracing Conn, Chiles, Pope and Berryessa valleys, 
a sparsely settled territory and consequently necessitating long rides on horse- 
back. Further honors came to Mr. Elgin in 1880, when he was elected 
justice of the peace, filling this office for four terms of two years each. 
While still the incumbent of that position he was chosen as town trustee 
and in 1890 resigned that position, after a service of five years, to accept 
the appointment of postmaster tendered him by President Harrison upon 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 787 

the recommendation of Senator Stanford and Congressman DeHavcn. When 
H. M. Meacham became assessor in 1886 he appointed Mr. Elgin his deputy 
for St. Helena and vicinity and with the exception of four years and nine 
months while postmaster he has filled that position ever since, to the eminent 
satisfaction of his superiors and the community. In December, 1S ( *7, he was 
appointed town treasurer, and every two years since that time he has been 
re-elected his own successor. Mr. Elgin is also secretary of the St. Helena 
Cemetery Association, and with the exception >•( brief periods he has served 
in some position of trust and responsibility for the past fifty-three years. 

To comparatively few couples is it given to celebrate the fiftieth mile- 
stone in their married life. Mr. and Mrs. Elgin were permitted to celebrate 
this occasion on March 12. 1901, when relatives and friends extended con- 
gratulations and good wishes. A decade later they celebrated their sixtieth 
wedding anniversary, a still rarer celebration, and the occasion was one long 
to be remembered. Six children blessed the marriage of this worthy couple, 
four of whom are now living, as follows: Mrs. Coloma Boggs, of Lake 
county: Ira P.. of San Francisco: Mrs. Jessie Fremont Sharp; and Miss 
Alice Grant Elgin, of St. Helena. Two sons are deceased, one dying at the 
age of three years, and Clarence Edwin in September. 1907. There are 
also ten grandchildren and one great-grandson. Mr. and Mrs. Elgin are 
still hale and hearty. 



ELMHURST ACADEMY, ST. HELENA. 

Owing to its beautiful, healthful and secluded location, the Elmhurst 
Academy, which was established in 1899, possesses many advantages that 
make it an ideal spot for the education of young girls. Genial social inter- 
course with one another, the gentle, refining influence of the teachers, and 
the watchful, maternal care in training the moral nature to principles of 
the highest ethical standard, a course of study, thorough and practical, all 
tend to give results that can not fail to be satisfactory to the parents and 
invaluable to the pupil. Elmhurst Academy is located at the head of the 
Napa valley, whose climate is proverbial for health, and the scenery around 
the convent resembles that of Florence, Italy, whose beauty and grandeur 
even rival that famous city of Dante and Michael Angelo. The beautiful 
gardens the large and well appointed playgrounds and recreation hall, offer 
every attraction for healthful out-door and in-door exercises at all seasons 
of the year. 

For more than three centuries, in Europe and America alike, the Ursu- 
line Order has held the highest rank in the education of youth. In 1845, 
under the auspices of the then Rt. Reverend John Baptist Purcell, D. D., of 
Cincinnati. Mother Julia Chatfield, of the famous Ursuline Convent of 
Boulogne-surmer, France, founded the Academy of Brown county, which 
wisely directed by her. became at an early period of its history one of the 
foremost houses of education in the west. The St. Helena Convent is a 
branch of that famous center of education. The aim of those who conduct 
it is to send forth from their halls young girls whose characters have been 
carefully developed with a view to future life work, and whose aspirations 
have been directed to the requirement of the solid and permanent Christian 
virtues, that alone give happiness in the home and in society. Mother Agatha 
is the present directress and she is one well qualified, by experience in 
teaching and because of saintly characteristics, to undertake, with the excel- 
lent corps of teachers, the training and moulding of the lives given to her 
care. She has been teaching for many years and has been directress of 
the Flmhurst Academy since its foundation. 

A vacation of from twelve to fifteen days is given at Christmas time 



788 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

and parents are earnestly requested not to extend this. Two holidays are 
given at Easter, but no pupils are allowed to go home except those living 
within a few miles of the academy. The school year consists of ten months, 
from the opening on the first Tuesday in August to the last Thursday in 
May. The course of instruction is liberal and, commencing with the ele- 
ments of English and French, comprises : Orthography, reading, writ- 
ing, arithmetic, algebra, geometry, bookkeeping, grammar, rhetoric, English 
composition, ancient and modern geography, sacred and profane history, 
astronomy, philosophy, chemistry, geology, physiology, literature, botany, 
music (vocal and instrumental), drawing in pencil and crayon, painting in 
oils and water colors, all styles of kensington, embroidery in lace and muslin, 
silk embroidery, plain sewing, German, Spanish, French, Greek, Latin, logic 
and empirical psychology. (Stenography and typewriting, if desired.) 

Premiums are awarded at the end of each year to pupils who may 
have excelled in the various classes, and academic honors to those who 
have distinguished themselves by their good conduct, politeness, order and 
exactness. 

Pupils of every religious denomination are admitted into this institu- 
tion ; but to promote order, all the boarders will be required to conform 
outwardly to the general regulations of exterior worship. Letters written 
or received by the young ladies are subject to inspection, and no news- 
papers are permitted. The pupils are not allowed to see visitors, except 
with the written permission of the parents or guardians. A monthly report 
is sent to parents or guardians, to be signed by them and returned within 
ten days. 

The boarders are required to wear a uniform on Sundays and on special 
occasions, viz. : In winter, a navy blue dress and a black hat trimmed in 
black; in summer, a navy-blue dress and white waist, and a hat trimmed in 
white. The summer uniform is required immediately on the opening of 
class in August, and the winter for the first of January. The academy has 
forty pupils at present, and the indication is that it will continue to grow 
and expand the circle of its refining influences. 



EDWARD S. BELL. 

The profession of the law has always attracted to its practice men of 
logical mind and keen reasoning faculties, and to these the conduct of an 
intricate case, involving many technicalities and bearing upon important 
issues, presents the same fascination that the painting of a masterpiece 
presents to an artist, or the performing of a delicate surgical operation pre- 
sents to a surgeon. In the list of attorneys who have thoroughly mastered 
the principles of law and have achieved success in its practice, mention 
should be made of Edward S. Bell, of Napa. He is a native Californian, 
born in Trinity county, August 26, 1862, a son of Charles E. Bell, of whom 
a sketch appears on another page of this work. Primarily educated in the 
schools of Benicia, he was later a student in the schools of Vallejo. When 
the family settled in Napa county he had an opportunity to engage in manual 
work, engaging in planting, cultivating and other farm work. Later he 
learned and followed the carpenter's trade. 

In 1894 Mr. Bell took up the study of law with his brother and in 1896 
he was admitted to practice before the superior court of California. The 
following year he was admitted to practice before the supreme court, and for 
a time he was connected with his brother as a partner. In 1902 the title 
of the firm was Bell, York & Bell, and so continued until 1907, since which 
time E. S. Bell has had an independent practice. Politically he is a stanch 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 791 

supporter 01 Democratic principles, but does not carry his belief to the point 

01 narrow partisanship, being a public spirited citizen and no1 a politician 
in the accepted sense of the word. For two years he served as justice of 
the peace and for eight years served as deputy district attorney. In the 
Native Sons of the Golden West he holds membership with the St. Helena 
Parlor, being the oldest member. His wife, formerly Miss Jessie L. Dresser, 
is also a native Californian. a daughter oi one of the early settlers of Folsom, 
Cal., and she shares with him the regard of the people of Napa, where both 
are welcome guests in the best circles of society. Her father and mother 
were '4"ers and built the first brick building in Folsom. Mr. Dresser was 
the first postmaster and the first store keeper of the town. 



HARRY LATHAM LINCOLN. 

Belonging to a family among whose distant kindred was the illustrious 
Abraham Lincoln, the gentleman whose name introduces this article and 
whose record as a pioneer of California entitles him to honorable mention 
was born in the state of New York. January 21, 1830. and was one of 
thirteen children comprising the family of Nathan and Phebe (Hayes) 
Lincoln. Among the brothers was one who bore the name of Abel and who 
developed unusual ability in commercial circles. At the close of a creditable 
college course he entered upon mercantile pursuits and eventually drifted to 
Texas, where he erected a number of sawmills. Later he bought a ferry on 
the Colorado river, and in the management of the same earned $60,000 
per vear, but his prosperous career was cut short in a massacre. Besides his 
business he had $60,000; he was attacked by supposed Indians, and out of 
a party of nine only four escaped to tell the fate of the others, he being one 
of the killed. 

When the Mississippi valley was undergoing its initial development 
the Lincoln family became pioneers of Madison county, 111., where the father 
operated a flouring mill for three years. Harry L., a farmer by occupation, 
leased land in Illinois for a considerable period and then applied his savings 
to the purchase of property in Bunkerhill. By his marriage to Ann Fennell, 
who was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, he became the father 
of seven children, namely: George F., who married Grace Lane and has 
nine children; Edward F., who is represented elsewhere in this volume; 
Louis J., who chose as his wife Miss Mabel Henderson, they having one 
child, and residing near Calistoga; Anna R., Mrs. Rufus Swan, of Richmond, 
Contra Costa county, who has one child; Ella M., deceased, whose husband, 
William Garwood, resides at Palo Alto, and her two daughters are high- 
school graduates in that town; Carrie E., wife of Charles Jewell, a railroad 
employe living at Oakland, they having two children; and Phebe J., Mrs. 
Tvler, of Calistoga. 

As the Lincoln family had been pioneers of Illinois, so likewise they 
became early settlers of California. Leaving their Illinois home they 
traveled to New York City and there boarded a vessel carrying twelve 
hundred persons. After crossing the isthmus they proceeded up the Pacific 
ocean and in twenty-four days reached Benicia, Solano county. A brother 
of Mr. Lincoln was living in the Suisun valley and he directed his steps 
hither. In his search for land he found an opportunity to buy a quarter- 
section claim with a small cabin and he at once took up the land, only to 
find, after he had been plowing for five days, that the land was a part of 
the vast tracts claimed by Nathan Coombs, who sent his foreman to remove 
the settlers. While wondering where next to go, he saw a notice in a paper 
advertising land to rent by G. Van Sickle, at Yacaville, Solano county. Going 
to that place, he soon closed a deal whereby he agreed to break and train 



792 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

wild horses as well as cultivate the land. For two years he remained on 
the place, training all the horses he used in the work and receiving one-third 
of all the colts raised. On leaving that farm he bought one hundred and 
sixty acres in the same locality and began to improve the new tract, fencing 
the land, building a house and making other improvements. One of his 
heaviest misfortunes was caused by the great drought of the year 1873. On 
the other hand, one of his most profitable experiences was the buying of a 
header, with which he earned $40 per day in cutting grain at $2 per acre 
and in a short time he had paid for the machine as well as earned a large 
profit in its operation. This was the first header operated in the Napa valley. 
At the expiration of four years on the farm Mr. Lincoln removed to 
Capay valley, Yolo county, and secured two hundred acres of raw land, where 
he engaged in farming for six years. Next he established a home at San 
Jose, and sent his children to the city schools. The farm was first rented, 
later sold, and he embarked in the sheep business with fourteen hundred 
head, which he grazed on Mt. Hamilton. For three years he gave personal 
supervision to the flock, after which he rented the sheep for $1,000 per year 
for five years. Coming to the Napa valley he secured one hundred and 
eighty acres below Calistoga, paying $1,000 down, with later payments 
of $1,000 per year. Twenty acres were planted in a vineyard and in two 
years he sold that tract and an adjacent twenty acres for the sum of $6,000. 
Later he bought land in the Berryessa valley, then leased a farm in Yolo 
county, next bought property in the Sacramento valley and eventually traded 
this for twenty acres of orchard in Napa valley. He lost his wife May 27, 
1887, when she was fifty-four years of age. Since his retirement from 
agricultural labors he has given his affairs into the care of his sons and he 
maintains merely a general supervision, depending upon their energetic 
efforts for all changes made and for all progress achieved. In politics he 
voted with the Republican party, but at no time has he been desirous of 
holding office or of maintaining a leadership in local affairs. 



MANUEL MADRID. 

In the making of California Nature gave from her store unstintingly 
of all that goes to make life interesting from many viewpoints, climate and 
other natural conditions contributing to make it one of the most desirable 
locations for all purposes to be found in the United States. The contribution 
has not been restricted to the avenues of business only, but the formation 
of hills and valleys has suggested the rest which tired toilers and residents 
of the congested cities need to restore them to normal condition and enable 
them to fill to the best advantage the niches which circumstances have placed 
them in. Among the beautiful Suscol Hills five miles east of Vallejo is 
nestled one of the most delightful pleasure and health resorts to be found 
in northern California, as all who have experienced a season at the Vallejo 
White Sulphur Springs will testify. These health-giving springs are sur- 
rounded by a natural amphitheater, protected by the high hills and large 
shade trees from wind and storm, and providing an attractive and restful 
retreat to business men and tourists alike. 

The proprietor of the Vallejo White Sulphur Springs, Manuel Madrid, 
is a native son of the state, his birth occurring in Los Angeles August 6, 
1863. During his boyhood his father, Loreto Madrid, removed to Napa, 
Napa county, and there Manuel attended school until he was twelve years 
of age. When he was seventeen years old he undertook the responsibilities 
of life by starting out for himself as a ranch hand, coming to Solano county 
for this purpose, and here he has remained ever since. The year 1880 found 
him accepting a position on what was known as the Tobin ranch, and he 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES 793 

continued in this subordinate position for two years, after which he was made 
manager of the property and continued in this capacity for twelve years. 

While the idea of' the White Sulphur Springs was not original with 
Mr. Madrid, it nevertheless remained for him to make the project a success, 
and in 1895 he conceived the idea of reclaiming a resort which had at one 
time been famous but which had fallen into decay through disuse. The 
Original owner of the place. Gen. Frisbie. had laid it out on a large scale, 
setting out several acres of fine trees adapted to shade, shrubs and flowers 
and had erected an attractive, commodious residence, and with the sugges- 
tion which all ^i this gave, it was a matter of comparatively small moment 
for a master hand to transform it to its original beauty and usefulness. 
From the beginning of his identification with the enterprise Mr. Madrid 
was successful beyond his expectations, and in 1902 he was able to pur- 
chase the buildings and one hundred and sixty acres of land. Since that 
time he has spared no expense in bringing the enterprise up to the highest 
point of utility, counting no cost too great to add to the comfort or pleasure 
of his guests. In addition to the hotel proper, which has accommodations 
for one" hundred guests, there are a number of cottages, and the spacious 
grounds are at the disposal of those who wish to bring their own tents and 
enjoy the freedom of camp life. For the accommodation and amusement of 
his guests Mr. Madrid has provided a dancing pavilion, bath houses, bowling 
alleys, shuffleboard and croquet grounds. For easy access to the springs 
he has inaugurated an automobile service, bringing the resort in close touch 
with Yallejo. which in turn has most excellent train and steamer service to 
San Francisco and Bay points, by the Southern Pacific Railroad and the 
Monticello Steamship line, besides 'which omnibuses make several trips daily 
from Yallejo to the springs. 

The water of the White Sulphur Springs has great curative powers (the 
analysis showing a most excellent combination of sodium, iron, sulphur and 
magnesia) and has been found very efficacious in cases of rheumatism, kidney, 
liver and blood troubles. In 1911 Mr. Madrid discovered another spring 
near the first one, this, however, being devoid of sulphur, the analysis show- 
ing sodium and magnesia to predominate, a combination which is more pleas- 
ing to the taste. Both waters are bottled and have been generally distrib- 
uted to not only the Bay cities, but also to Sacramento and the San Joaquin 
valley. On the grounds an artificial lake covering about two acres has been 
constructed, in the center of which is an island, where flowers grow in 
abundance during the season. This lake is a source of great enjoyment to 
guests for boating and swimming. 

A marriage ceremony performed in July, 1886. united the lives of Manuel 
Madrid and Miss Angelita Coronado, who was born in Napa county, and 
to them have been born seven children. Manuel, Carmelita, Loreto, Antonio, 
Francisco, Rafael and Angelita. Fraternally Mr. Madrid is associated by 
membership with the Eagles and the Independent Order of Red Men. Per- 
sonally he is a man of kindly social qualities, and in all of the relations of 
life, business, social and fraternal, he is regarded as a man of superior worth. 



MANUEL C. ALMADA. 

California has proved a land of opportunity for many foreignborn citi- 
zens, and among the number are several representatives of the Almada family, 
a perusal of whose lives will form interesting reading from many standpoints. 
The first member of the family to come to this country was an uncle of the 
subject of this sketch. Manuel A. Almada. who was born on the Island of 
St. George, one of the Azores, and who made his home on his native island 
until he was about twenty years of age. Seeing little prospect of advance- 



794 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ment such as he felt he was capable of, he determined to come to the new 
world and begin life where opportunity was practically unbounded, and the 
accomplishments of his interesting life prove that his hopes were not with- 
out foundation. The ocean vessel on which he made the voyage landed at 
Boston, Mass., and for a time the shipyards of that city and vicinity furnished 
him with employment. He had been in this country but a comparatively 
short time when he returned to his native island and remained there several 
months before he again embarked for the United States. This time, instead 
of remaining in the east, he came directly to California, in 1865, and by 
working in the lumber mills of Mendocino county and carefully saving his 
earnings he was finally enabled to engage in a small way in the dairy busi- 
ness, a business for which he had special aptitude, as is indicated by the 
substantial growth of the business under his skilled hand. The nucleus of 
the business consisted of a rented ranch in Marin county, near San Rafael, 
which he ran for a few years and then located in Cordelia, Solano county, 
where with more land and increased stock he soon had a large dairy business 
under his control. He remained in that location for four years, when, in 
1892, he came to Napa county and established a dairy which he conducted 
for about five years, or until 1897, when he made another trip to his native 
land, this time intending to remain, but as is invariably the case when one 
has once made his home in California, the return voyage is a foregone con- 
clusion. Mr. Almada had been in St. George only a few months when pas- 
sage was secured not only for himself, but also for several nieces and nephews 
who wished to come to the United States, and in due time they were located 
in Napa county, Cal. Mr. Almada had a large farm in St. George which he 
retained as long as he lived, and after his return to Napa county, in 1897, 
he purchased a ranch of eight hundred and ninety acres at Suscol. The 
ranch was purchased with restrictions embodied in a long-term lease by 
which he was delayed in turning the property over to the dairy business as 
was his original intention in buying the land. In January, 1902, his ambitions 
were cut short by his death, the result of an accident. While crossing a 
bridge which led to his ranch he failed to hear an approaching freight train, 
which struck him, inflicting injuries which caused his death. His death 
was counted a personal loss to multitudes who had learned to admire him 
for his true manly qualities. His body was buried in Toloucay cemetery, and 
his grave is marked by the finest monument in the cemetery, a work of art 
both in sculpture and design. 

The nephew and namesake of the gentleman whose life history is given 
in the foregoing paragraph, Manuel C. Alamada, was born on the Island 
of St. George, March 22, 1874, the son of John and Mary (Candida) Almada, 
the former of whom died in 1899, at the age of forty-five, and the latter at 
the age of forty years. Of the four children in the parental family Manuel C. 
was the eldest. He remained in his native country until he was fourteen 
years old, in the meantime attending public school, and at the age mentioned, 
in 1888, he came to California, being attracted to this locality from the fact 
that his uncle was located here. He was favored indeed beyond the average 
immigrant to a new country, for he found a position waiting for him in his 
uncle's dairy, and after remaining with that relative for seven years and 
learning the business thoroughly, the uncle assisted him in starting in the 
dairy business for himself on a rented ranch near Suscol. Associated with 
him in this enterprise was his cousin, John B. Almada, who had come to 
California with his uncle in 1889, and the association of the young partners 
has continued to the present time. After the death of their uncle the cousins 
bought their uncle's ranch from the heirs, and under their management the 
Almada ranch has become one of the largest and most productive dairy 
ranches in the county. It is located seven miles south of Napa, and is 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 797 

Stocked with over one hundred milch cows, and about three hundred head 
of stock in all. Short-horn Durham predominating. All of the milk produced 
on the ranch is passed through a separator operated by steam, and the cream 
is disposed of to the Ambrosia Creamery, at Xapa. Resides the dairy busi- 
ness and general farming carried on by the partners, they also raise hogs 
quite extensively, the Poland-China breed being raised exclusively. To 
enable them to carry on their large undertaking it has been necessary for 
them to secure more land than was included in their original purchase, and 
in addition to this they also rent ail joining land, and now have in the aggre- 
gate over thirty-six hundred acres under their management, undoubtedly one 
o\ the largest ranches in Xapa county. As an outgrowth of their dairy busi- 
ness in 1903 they started in the creamery business in Napa under the name 
of the Golden State creamery, at Nos. 77 ami 79 North Main street, but 
after running it six years they disposed of the place. 

In 1903, the same year in which he established the creamery in Napa, 
Manuel C. Almada removed to the city with his family, having built for 
their accommodation a fine residence at No. 39 Hayes street. This is pre- 
sided over by his wife, whom he married December 25, 1898. She was for- 
merly Miss Mary Silva. one of his countrywomen who was born on the 
Island of Pico. Four children have been born of this marriage, Mary, Rosa, 
Lillie and George. The family attend services at St. John the Baptist Church, 
and one and all are active workers in the various societies of that organiza- 
tion. Politically Mr. Almada is a Republican, and fraternally he belongs 
to the Eagles and to the Portuguese Union Society. 



JOHN MALCHI. 

A native of Xew York, John Malchi was born in Lansingburg, Rensse- 
laer county, June 25, 1847. At the age of eight years he removed with his 
parents to near Sandusky, Erie county, Ohio, residing there for several 
years on a farm, his father being a tiller of the soil. When the Civil war 
broke out he was ambitious to serve and first enlisted in the Seventy-second 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry and then the Third Ohio Cavalry, but each time he 
was rejected on account of his age and size. Finally, however, he enlisted, 
in May, 1863. in the First Ohio Artillery, Battery B, and was accepted, al- 
though he was not yet sixteen years old. He served in Alabama, Georgia, 
North Carolina and Tennessee until after the close of the war, when he was 
honorably discharged at Knoxville, Tenn., in August, 1865. From Ohio he 
returned to his birthplace in Rensselaer county, X. Y., on a visit. Tiring 
of wandering about without any settled plan for the future, Mr. Malchi 
determined to go to Australia or to California, planning to go to the country 
whose boat first left port, and California won. Twenty-two days from the 
time of starting from Xew York he was in San Francisco, having come by 
way of Panama. From San Francisco he went by steamer to Victoria, B. 
C, and thence up the Fraser river to Westminster, when until the opening 
of spring he worked in a saw mill. Then he started out for the mines in the 
Big Bend district, fully equipped for mining, but for some reason turned 
back and took the first steamer for San Francisco. Later on he went to 
Carson City. Xew, and for nine years made* the headquarters of his teaming 
business there, while he carried on freighting between Virginia City, Nev., 
and Sacramento. 

In Placer county Mr. Malchi had taken up one hundred and sixty acres 
of school land, on which he wintered, but still kept up his teaming. After 
disposing of the land he took his stock to Lassen county and bought a stock" 
ranch in Ash valley, which he conducted for three years. Selling it at a 
profit at the end of th^t time, in 1875 he bought one hundred and sixty-four 



798 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

acres three miles northeast of Suisun. He continued farming this land until 
1892, when he located in Lagoon valley, raising stock and farming his old 
place until 1910. In that year he located on his present place of eight acres 
one mile south of Vacaville and engaged in horticulture. He still owns 
the ranch near Suisun devoted to stock-raising. 

In 1876 Mr. Malchi was married to Miss Elizabeth Newton, a native 
of Missouri, and one child was born to them, Mary A., Mrs. Loraine, of 
San Diego. Mrs. Malchi died in 1880, and three years later Mr. Malchi mar- 
ried Miss Nancy Newton, a sister of his first wife. She was born in 
Douglas county, Ore., and came to this state when two years old with her 
father, Ambrose Newton. A native of Kentucky, he located in Oregon in 
1854, and in 1859 came to California and located in Suisun. Of Mr. Malchi's 
second marriage three children were born : Grace Evelyn, who graduated 
from the Vacaville high school, later attended the State Normal for one 
year and is now teaching school in Vacaville ; Edith Helen, who was 
educated in the Vacaville schools and is now at home with her parents; and 
Viola Glenbrook, a graduate nurse of the Children's Hospital, San Francisco. 

For ten years Mr. Malchi has served as clerk of the board of school 
trustees. He was made a Mason in Carson Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M., state 
of Nevada, and is now a member of Suisun Lodge No. 55. He is also a 
member of Solano Lodge No. 43, R. A. M., and with his wife and two 
daughters is a member of the Eastern Star. He is also a member of the 
Knights of Pythias and Gen. Sol. Meredith Post, G. A. R., of Fairfield. Mr. 
Malchi is a man who has won his way in the world by his perseverance and 
courage in the face of obstacles, and in so doing has won the respect of his 
fellows. 



PETER MADISON. 

The interest which clings to the biography of California pioneers is 
not that of curiosity, but is rather an expression of the gratitude which all 
men feel toward those forerunners of civilization in the far west. Not only 
as a pioneer of the state, but also as one of the early residents of Napa 
county Mr. Madison became widely known as a successful rancher and 
stockman, as well as a citizen who placed the interest of his fellowmen 
on a level with his own. After a life well spent he passed away in Napa, 
January 6, 1903, cheered by the Christian's faith in a life hereafter. 

The family from which Peter Madison sprang had been identified for 
generations with the kingdom of Denmark, and there his own birth occurred 
in 1834. He remained in the land of his forefathers until reaching his fif- 
teenth year, when he went to sea as a cabin boy on a sailing vessel, on which 
he came around the Horn to California. When the vessel cast anchor in 
San Francisco harbor he bade farewell to life on the sea, being attracted 
to the mines as a means of reaching more sudden wealth, but experience 
taught him that his hopes were vain, and unlike many, he accepted the 
situation philosophically and immediately looked for work with more de- 
pendable returns. From the mines he returned to San Francisco, from there 
went to Suisun valley, and still later to Wildhorse valley, where he became 
one of the earliest settlers, taking up a homestead from the government on 
which he carried on farming and stock-raising. 

Any account of Mr. Madison's life and accomplishments would be im- 
perfect indeed did it not make mention of the aid and co-operation of his 
wife, a woman of large mentality and endowed with executive ability far 
beyond the average. In maidenhood she was Mary Ryan, born in Ireland, 
the daughter of Michael and Mary (Keyes) Ryan. With a knowledge of 
farming as conducted in Queens county, Ireland, Mr. Ryan came to the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 799 

United States with his family in 1858, and remained in the east until 1N<>5. 
when he came to California and settled in Napa county. Mis firsl efforts 
were on a ranch in Wildhorse valley, and after disposing of that he located 
in Alameda, and there he passed away, at the venerable age of ninety years. 
His wife had died on the farm some years previous, at the age of sixty- 
two years. Eight children were born to this couple, of whom five are living, 
and of the number their daughter Mary was next to the oldest. Her child- 
hood was passed in Ireland, where she attended primary school, and while 
the family were residing in New York state she was also given educational 
privileges. It was in 1860 that she boarded the steamer North Star for the 
Isthmus, and on the Pacific side re-embarked on the steamer Golden Age 
that dropped anchor in the harbor of San Francisco July 12, 1860. From 
the metropolis she came to Napa county and bought land, and the records 
of the county show that she has been a taxpayer ever since 1864. She was 
first married in Napa to John Henderson, who though a native of Ireland 
had been a resident of the United States from the age of two years. With 
a party of surveyors Mr. Henderson came across the plains and ultimately 
took up milling in Napa county, with which he also combined farming. 
On his ranch in Wildhorse valley he passed away in 1867, one year after 
locating there. Some years after the death of her first husband Mrs. Hen- 
derson became the wife of Mr. Madison, the ceremony being performed in 
Napa May 1. 1870. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Madison purchased 
land adjoining the ranch just mentioned, until they owned altogether about 
one thousand acres. Of this six hundred acres along the creek for a mile 
was sold to the city of Vallejo, to permit the proper conservation of the 
water, and now an ample reservoir, known as Fry Lake, furnishes the water 
supply to the city. 

After selling their property Mr. and Mrs. Madison removed to Napa, 
"having built a comfortable residence on North Main street. It was here 
that Mr. Madison passed away January 6, 1903. Since his death his widow 
has continued her residence here, finding ample occupation in looking after 
her varied interests, which include valuable property in Napa and a five- 
hundred-acre ranch in Wildhorse valley which she rents for dairy purposes. 
This last-mentioned property is indeed a beauty spot, nothing in the valley 
matching its natural beauty and attractiveness. 

Mrs. Madison is the mother of two children by her first marriage, Joseph 
Henderson, a resident of San Francisco, and Mary, Mrs. Callahan, of Sacra- 
mento. Of her marriage with Mr. Madison six children were born, as fol- 
s: Annie, Mrs. Murray, of Napa; Agnes, Mrs. Muller, of Vallejo; Helen, 
Mrs. White, of Wooden valley; Henry, a resident of Napa; Margaret Emily, 
Mrs. Johnson, of Sacramento; and Isabelle, Mrs. Griggs, of Oakland. 



J. F. KNIEF. 



One of the oldest settlers in Brown's valley, Napa, is J. F. Knief, whose 
life has been filled with many varied experiences, extending from the hard- 
ships of a German sailor lad's life to the comforts of a successful California 
rancher and wine merchant. Born on a farm near Bremen, Germany, he 
became dissatisfied at an early age with farm life and sought the wilder 
experiences of a life at sea. At the age of fourteen he left home to follow 
the sea. He has in his possession a very precious keepsake in the form of 
a letter given him by his father when he left home as a means of identifica- 
tion and which he always carried with him. From the age of fourteen, when 
he left home, he has worked his way in the world alone and unaided. When 
he was less than twenty-one years of age he was first mate on a ship. At 



800 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

first he made only short voyages, and during the war between Germany 
and Denmark he served one year in the German navy. His first trip to 
America was made in 1847 and the attractions of this country were so 
alluring that at the close of one year's service in the navy he took his dis- 
charge and again went to sea, this time in a Swedish vessel upon which he 
continued until leaving her in Norway. Remaining in that country for a 
while, he then secured a berth upon a ship engaged in the Mediterranean 
trade, following which he sailed in a vessel to the United States, where he 
followed the coasting trade and became mate. Still impelled by a spirit of 
daring and desire for further exploration, in 1854 he sailed around the Horn 
to California in the ship Black Warrior, a Baltimore clipper ship which 
landed him in San Francisco in December of that year. While in New Or- 
leans the captain had taken out naturalization papers under the name of 
Thomas Thompson and it was under that name that he came to California. 
While in the mines of Eldorado county he met friends who knew him by 
the name of Knief, and he decided to resume it. Taking his papers to a 
judge he stated the facts and was given new citizenship papers under his 
right name. After mining for a time in Eldorado and Siskiyou counties 
Mr. Knief came to Napa in 1868, buying the ranch in Brown's valley, near 
Napa, which he owns today. Of this thirty-acre ranch, fifteen acres are in 
vineyard, in connection with which he has a small winery in which he crushes 
his own grapes. The place is also improved with a family orchard and 
various other improvements contribute to make this a convenient and home- 
like ranch. 

Mr. Knief was married in 1862 to Miss Anna E. Lechens, also a native 
of Germany, and to this union there were born six children, one of whom, 
Ludolph, is deceased. The others are as follows : William, residing in 
Auburn ; Fred, who lives in San Francisco ; Anna E., the wife of G. Blutcher, 
of Oakland; and Lewis and Henry. Fraternally Mr. Knief belongs to the- 
Knights of Pythias, politically is a Republican, and for many years he served 
as a member and clerk of the board of school trustees of Brown's valley 
district. 



JOHN ARMSTRONG. 

The success which almost invariably follows in the wake of well-applied 
energy, common sense, integrity and executive ability, is claimed for Mr. Arm- 
strong, as all testify who have followed his career. Ever since coming to 
California in 1862 he has been a resident of Solano county, with the exception 
of a year and a half passed in the mines of Virginia City, Nev., and his citizen- 
ship in this locality for a period of forty-five years has not been without benefit 
to the community. 

The Armstrong family was identified with the south for a number of 
generations, and to that section of country the mind of John Armstrong reverts 
when recalling incidents of his childhood and youth, for he is a native of the 
south, his birth occurring in Roanoke county, Va., June 13, 1835. There too 
his parents, Ellis and Harriett (Moomaw) Armstrong were born, the father 
in 1807 and the mother February 10, 1808. The father lived to attain a good 
old age, being in his seventy-second year at the time of his death, and the 
mother at the time of her death, in December, 1908, had attained the remark- 
able age of one hundred and one years. John Armstrong remained in the 
south until he reached his majority, when he severed the ties which bound 
him to the locality in which he had been reared, going at that time, in Decem- 
ber, 1856, to Auburn, Sangamon county, 111. Six years later he came to the 
Pacific coast by means of mule teams across the plains. Leaving Springfield, 
April 8, 1862, he arrived in Suisun, Solano county, September 26. As this was 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND N \l\\ COUNTIES 803 

prior to the advent of railroads, he found a good opening in hauling freight 
for the following three years, lie then went to Virginia City, New. where he 
engaged in hauling quartz for eighteen months. Returning to Solano county 
he worked as a ranch hand until 1871, when he began Farming on rented land. 
In 1881 he purchased twenty-nine acres near Suisun, residing on the property 
for five years, when he sold the land and bought the place on which he now 
lives. It comprises thirty-two and a half acres, located about seven miles 
northwest oi Suisun. which he improved from the naked laud, setting out all 
oi the fruit trees and building the residence and other buildings. About half 
of the acreage is in apricots, the yield from which amounts to about $1680 
annually, while the remainder i^i the land is in peaches and pears, the annual 
yield from which is about SI 120. Such stock as he needs for his own use on 
the ranch he raises himself, otherwise he confines his attention strictly to the 
care of his fruit. His entire crop is dried and prepared for market by himself 
on the ranch, which is equipped with a drier and other facilities for this 
purpose. 

In 1871 Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage at San Francisco with 
Miss Annie C. Richardson, a native of Macoupin county. 111. Of the four 
children horn to them, only two are living, and both are married and estab- 
lished in homes of their own. The eldest, Annie B., is the wife of P. W. Thun- 
burg. of this valley, and they have two children. The other daughter, Clara E., 
is the wife of W. W. Reeves and also makes her home in Suisun valley. 
Politically- Mr. Armstrong is a Democrat. 



JOSEPH DAVIS. 

A native of the south, Joseph Davis was born in Kentucky March 24, 
1832. but he remembers little of his birthplace, as he was a child of only 
four years when with his parents in 1836 he removed from Kentucky to 
Van Buren county, Iowa. He lived in the latter state until he reached the age 
of twenty-one, when he crossed the plains with an ox-team train, in 1853. 
The route taken was by way of Fort Kearney and the Humboldt. After 
following mining in California for about two years in 1855 Mr. Davis returned 
to Van Buren county, Iowa, by way of the Isthmus. 

In January. 1857. Mr. Davis was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Leach) 
Walters, who was born in Virginia. Four children were born to them: 
William A., Mary, Eppaluna and Fara Belle. Eppaluna married R. D. Rennie 
and they make their home in Lompoc. Mary became the wife of F. F. Zim- 
merman. In 1862 Mr. Davis returned to California to make his permanent 
home, coming by way of Salt Lake City, and ever since the year mentioned 
he has been a resident of Maine Prairie township, Solano county. During 
all these years he carried on farming until retiring from active labors. Here 
he owns three hundred and twenty acres of land and adjoining it his 
daughter. Mrs. Zimmerman, owns one hundred and sixty acres. 



F. F. ZIMMERMAN. 

The descendant of German ancestors, F. F. Zimmerman was born in 
Monroe. Mich., July 16, 1853. the son of John Zimmerman, who was born 
in Baden- Baden, Germany. The latter came to the United States prior to the 
Civil war and served in that conflict as a member of the Fifteenth Michigan 
Volunteer Infantry. His life was sacrificed in the cause of his adopted 
country, his death occurring while in service in 1862. 

I". F. Zimmerman is the owner of sixty-one acres of land four miles 
northwest of Vacaville. under cultivation to prunes, peaches, apricots and 



804 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



grapes. The home ranch comprises nine hundred acres of rented land de- 
voted entirely to grain raising. 

In Dixon, Cal., in 1880, occurred the marriage of F. F. Zimmerman and 
Mary Davis, and of the children born to them six are living, as follows : 
Joseph F., William Rennie, Frank L., Iceophine E., Frederick R. and George 
L. Politically Mr. Zimmerman is a Democrat and is a member of the board 
of school trustees. He is recognized as one of the substantial ranchers of 
his district and deserves much credit for the progress he has made. 



NELSON F. PECK. 

A patriotic citizen of the United States who enlisted under the banner 
of his country during the Civil war, Nelson A. Peck was born in Royalston, 
Worcester county, Mass., April 16, 1840, a son of Lyman and Louisa (Davis) 
Peck, both natives of Massachusetts. His early years were spent at„ home, 
receiving his education at the public school, and when the Civil war. broke 
out in 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Regi- 
ment, under General Burnside. The regiment to which he was attached par- 
ticipated in several raids in North Carolina and also at Pittsburg, Va., and 
Mr. Peck was close at hand when the forts were blown up. After serving 
three years and one month he was mustered out at Boston and honorably 
discharged. 

In 1864 Mr. Peck moved to Ohio and settled at Portsmouth, where he 
learned the trade of carpenter and wagon-maker, and for a number of years 
was employed at his trade in Ohio. Not until 1888 did he come to Cali- 
fornia and when he arrived he came to Napa county and has made it his 
home ever since, following the occupation of contractor and builder with 
much success. Nine years after his advent to this county, in 1897, he 
formed a partnership with William Coffield, under the firm name of Peck 
& Coffield. During the two years they continued in partnership they erected 
some splendid buildings in Napa and vicinity, among which are the fol- 
lowing: Lincoln school house, R. S. Kyser undertaking parlors, the Martin 
building and rebuilding the Franklin school house. Since the dissolution 
of the partnership Mr. Peck has continued in the business alone and has 
erected a number of fine residences that add materially to the attractiveness 
of the city of Napa. Among these are the Grigsby, Dewey, Fegerro, Mon- 
teshed and Williams residences, besides many others, and he has also built 
a number of residences in Suisun. 

Mr. Peck is a charter member of Kit Carson Post, G. A. R., being past 
commander of his post, and he is also a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen of Napa. In Scioto county, Ohio, Mr. Peck was married 
in 1866 to Irene Glaze, a native of that state, and they have one child, Eva, a 
graduate of the high school. Mr. and Mrs. Peck are well known residents 
of Napa, and are affiliated with every movement for the upbuilding of the 
community in which they live. 



ZENAS W. GARFIELD. 

The entire life of Zenas W. Garfield has been spent on the farm, but 
in the two geographical extremes of our country. Born on a New Eng- 
land farm, in Monterey, Mass., in 1846, he spent his boyhood and early 
manhood there, and in 1871 came to California, he being then twenty-five 
years of age. He settled immediately in Napa county two and one-half 
miles north of Napa on the Big Ranch road, where he farmed four hundred 
and twenty-five acres for twenty-eight years. In 1906 he became superin- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO Wl> N \PA COUNTIES 805 

tendent of the Bryan ranch, which is a splendid frail ranch of one hundred 
acres, located west of Napa, producing prunes, cherries, pears and peaches. 

Politically Mr. Garfield is a Republican and was elected supervisor <>f 
the county on that ticket in 1888, serving one term. In 1871, before leaving 
his New England home for the far west. Mr. Garfield was united in iii.ii 
riage to Miss Fannie C. Sheldon, a native *>\ Massachusetts, who shared 
with him all the hardships as well as the successes of life, until her demise 
in 18 



JOHN BRAZIL \1.M \n\. 

Nearly all of the countries oi the world have contributed to the citizen- 
of California, among them Portugal, whose representatives have demon- 
strated unmistakably their appreciation of the advantages which this section 

xmntry offers. John Brazil Almada was horn in Rebeira Area, Island of 

George, one oi the ' , June 24, 1873, the son of Anton and .Maria 

(Almada) Brazil, both natives of Portugal also. The mother passed away 
many \ o, at the age of fifty-five, but the father is Still living on his farm, 

at the a ghty four years. Three children were born into tin- household, 

those besides John 1',. being Manuel, a resident ^^\ Sacramento, and Anion, who 
St. Miguel's Church on St. George Island. 

After Mr. Almada came to California he assumed his mother's family 
name and was known thereafter as John Brazil Almada. This he did owing 

he fact that he made his home with his uncle. Manuel Almada, and was 
always called by that name. It was under this name that he applied for his 
citizenship papers. The circumstances of his parents made it possible for him 
t< • have good common-school advantages, at least the best that his country 

red. ami thus he had a good general foundation in the essential branches 
of learning when he came to this country a lad of sixteen years. His uncle, 
Manuel A. Almada. had come to this country many years before, and subse- 
quently had returned to his native land on visits, and it was on one of his 
return voyages that his ambitious nephew accompanied him, in 1889. At the 
time this relative was interested in a dairy ranch at Cordelia, Solano county, 
and the young immigrant was immediately given employment, under the 
instruction of his experienced relative becoming an expert dairyman. Subse- 
quently the elder Mr. Almada removed to Xapa county, the nephew coming 
al<" and remaining with his uncle until forming a partnership with his cousin, 
Manuel C. Almada, in 1895. The association then formed has continued unin- 
terruptedly to the present time, and has witnessed the growth of the business 
to proportions that are truly remarkable. They first started on rented prop- 
erty near Suscol, which their uncle assisted them in establishing, and after the 
death of that kindly relative they purchased the property in Napa county for 
the establishment of a dairy on a large scale and carried out his plan. For a 
fuller account of the dairy business which has been developed under the man- 
agement of these partners, the reader is referred to the sketch of Manuel C. 
Almada. on another page of this volume. 

In 1904 John B. Almada took up his residence in Napa, having erected a 
house suited to his needs at No. 803 North Main street. In Napa he married 
Miss Maria Candida, also a native of the Island of St. George. Five children 
were born of this marriage, one of whom is deceased, those living being; Maria, 
Amelia. Frank and John. In May. 1907, Mr. Almada married Miss Palmicra 
Silva. born on the Isle of Pico, one of the Azores, and who came to Napa 
county, Cal.. in 1905. One child. Albert, has been born of this marri. 
With his family Mr. Almada attends St. John the Baptist church. Politically 
he is a Republican and socially he is affiliated with the Society of I. I). S. and 
the U. P. E. C. 



806 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

JOHN J. LINDER. 

The owner of one of the many pretty ranches in Napa county is John 
J. Linder, who was born in Germany in 1860. As a boy he received a good 
education and in later boyhood he learned a trade, choosing the tailor's 
business. At the age of twenty-two years, after serving in the German 
army, he came to California and settled near the town of Sonoma in 1882. 
Here for eight months he worked on a ranch for wages, and then went to 
Solano county, where he was employed on a ranch in Green valley for five 
years. Just as soon as he had saved enough money he bought the Big Road 
ranch, his present location, in 1890. It is situated six miles north of Napa 
and consists of sixty-two acres of good arable and fruit land. The property 
has been greatly improved under his vigilant eye and thrifty hand. He has 
cherries, besides which five acres are in full bearing French prunes, three 
acres in bearing vines and about seven acres devoted to hay. In addition 
to his horticultural and agricultural pursuits Mr. Linder also runs a dairy, 
which is supplied by ten cows. 

In 1891 Mr. Linder and Miss Sula Darms were united in marriage. 
They have the following children : Ralph, George, Drury and Emma. Mr. 
and Mrs. Linder show a progressive spirit and are ever ready to lend sup- 
port to those enterprises that will be a benefit to the county in which they live. 



EDWARD L. COOK. 

Although he has but recently established his home in Napa county, Mr. 
Cook has identified himself with the social and commercial life of the com- 
munity. He was born in Allegan county, Mich., in 1853, and until forty-five 
years old he resided there with his parents, then, in 1898, coming to California. 
He is the son of Amos J. and Elizabeth M. Cook, both natives of Ohio, and 
was the second of six children : Israel J., Edward L., Frank B., Marada, Elsie 
E. and Olive H. Israel J. was united in marriage with Frances Felton and 
they have three children; Marada married Hiram Bisby, who is deceased; 
by her second marriage she was united with S. L. Stanton and they have four 
children; Elsie E. married Oscar Vreeland and they have three children; 
Frank B. married Ida Thompson and they have three children. 

In his native state Edward L. Cook had followed the carpenter's trade 
and he did the same when coming to California in 1898. He first settled in 
Sonoma county, living for five years in Healdsburg, and working at the car- 
penter's trade, after which he made investments in real estate, purchasing a 
house and lot. After selling these he moved to Eureka, residing there one 
year, then removing to Watsonville, Santa Cruz county, and from there to 
Sebastopol, living there eighteen months. There he purchased a small fruit 
ranch on Gold Ridge, and upon selling this property he came to Napa county 
and has lived here ever since. He has leased, for a term of five years, ranch 
property consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, seven acres in vine- 
yard, one and one-half in fruit trees and forty acres devoted to grain raising. 
He has five work horses and seven head of cattle and keeps the place under 
splendid cultivation. 

Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Alice Brown, a native of Michigan, 
and to this union there were born eight children, viz: Arthur L., Glenn A., 
Fletcher, Leon, Harold A., Elsie, Edith and Lyla. Arthur L. first married 
Alice Brown, and a second marriage united him with Edna Froman; they 
have two children ; Elsie married Frank Gully and has six children ; Glenn, 
who is associated with his father, married Lena Guillee, and they have two 
children ; Edith married George Rhodes and resides at Napa with their two 
children. In Michigan Mr. Cook was identified with the Grange. Politically 
he is a Republican. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND X \l'.\ COUNTIKS sov 

LEWIS MARTIN II \KT.\IA\. 

lifornia is proud of the fact that she owe- to immigration no small 
percentage of her present successful citizens. l<< take advantage of her 
wonderful climate and unexcelled opportunities for advancement Lewis 
.Martin Ilartman came to this state to make his permanent residence, having 
previously made his home in various parts of the United States. He was 
horn in 1856, in Fulton county. 111., the son of Amos and Elizabeth (Schisler) 
Ilartman. horn in Pennsylvania. 'The early education of Lewis Hartman 
was obtained in his native county in Illinois, and was continued in Anderson 
county. Kans., whither he removed with his parents when he was about 
fourteen years of age. After eight years passed in Kansas he lived the life 
i^i a nomad for the following ten years, wandering from place to place as 
Fate led him. For two years he prospected in Colorado and from there went 
to New Mexico and Arizona. While in this latter state he entered the 
railroad business and retained his position for two years. At the close of this 
period he came to California, going first to Los Angeles, but soon afterward 
going to Rakersfield, San Francisco and Sacramento, finally, on January 10, 
1885. coming to Solano county, lie had decided to end his wanderings and 
settle down and since that time he has been a prosperous and dependable 
citizen of this county. 

Mr. Hartman's marriage September 10, 1886, united him with Miss 
Amarie L. Hinkley, a native of Ohio, the daughter of parents who became 
early settlers of Solano county, Cal. The elder of the two children born 

Mr. and Mrs. Ilartman is Lester Millard, who married Miss Eunice 

•]>er and is at present assisting his father on the ranch: Alpha Murray 
Hartman is attending- school. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hartman 
removed to Shasta county, remaining there for about two years, when they 
returned to Solano county and settled on the Sky High ranch, comprising 
ninety-six acres and located about five miles west of Winters. In 1870 
George W. Hinkley located on this ranch and began improvements; after 
his death in 1899 Mr. Hartman came into possession of the place. In 1904 
Mrs. Hartman died, leaving a fragrant memory of her useful life. At 
Suisun, on August 20, 1907. Mr. Ilartman married Mrs. Xettie (Coffin) 

per, a native of Lee county, Iowa, and the daughter of William S. and 
Eunice (Hampton) Coffin, pioneers of Iowa and descendants of old Quaker 
stock. Two children were born of Mrs. Hartman's first marriage, Albert 
W ., deceased, and Eunice. 

The Sky High ranch is devoted principally to the cultivation of fruit, 
although there is a little grain raised on the same. Mr. Hartman is looked 
upon as being the largest shipper of cherries from Winters, having shipped 
his first consignment some years ago. His 1910 shipment was the first to 
leave Winters and the fir-; sold in the United States, bringing $3 per pound. 
He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Women of Wood- 
craft. He has served on the school board for a number of terms and is 
progressive in matters pertaining to local government, being in favor of 

d roads and everything that will benefit the community in which he lives. 



WILLIAM II. COLVIX. 

It is perhaps through hi- affiliation with the Samosat Tribe of Red Men 
that Mr. Colvin is most widely known. Members of the order throughout the 
entire state are familiar with the encouraging growth manifested by this tribe 
and to a large degree its high standing is due to the indefatigable exertions of 
Mr. Colvin. although he has been fortunate in enjoying the co-operation of 

37 



810 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

almost the entire membership in his efforts to increase the success of the 
society. With a present membership of about six hundred members the 
Samosat Tribe is the largest in the entire state and its members express a 
harmonious determination to increase the record until one thousand names are 
enrolled. Nor is its triumph limited to numbers alone. In addition it enjoys 
a reputation as the best-drilled tribe in the state. At Santa Rosa they were 
awarded the state trophy given to the best-drilled tribe. They also received 
the state banner for the largest increase in membership and the company 
trophy given to the tribe showing the greatest increase over all other com- 
panies in California. While serving as trustee, Mr. Colvin maintained an 
active association with the development of the work and his efforts were 
pleasantly recognized when he was elected sachem of the tribe at the annual 
election of January, 1911, since which time he has given much of his time to 
promote its growth and enlarge its activities. At the great council held in 
San Jose in August, 1911, he was appointed district deputy great sachem of 
his district by Judge H. C. Hibbard, great sachem. 

Throughout all of his life Mr. Colvin has been a resident of Vallejo. ' Here 
he was born January 21, 1872, and here he received such educational advan- 
tages as it was his privilege to enjoy. However, his present large fund of 
information is the result of reading and observation rather than school attend- 
ance. At the age of about twelve years he left school and secured employ- 
ment in the Star flour mill, remaining for five years, principally in the capacity 
of a shipping clerk. On leaving the mill he formed a partnership with his 
brother, T. H., in the grocery business under the firm name of T. H. Colvin 
& Co., the connection continuing during the years from 1889 to 1894. On 
leaving the grocery business he secured employment in the construction 
department at the Mare Island navy yard and for nine years he remained in 
the government employ. He then became proprietor of the Wigwam on 
Georgia street, where he carries a full line of cigars and tobacco and smokers' 
supplies, both wholesale and retail, and has established a very large trade, the 
business having grown to such proportions that, in March, 1911, he .took in 
Roy L. Smith as a partner and the firm is now Colvin & Smith. His home in 
Vallejo is presided over by Mrs. Colvin, formerly Miss Lillian A. Higson, 
whom he married in 1902 and who is a native daughter of the state. During 
1910 he served as a member of the Solano county grand jury. While not 
solicitous for office he is deeply interested in the advancement of his native 
city and is willing to give his services to promote civic progress, holding it to 
be the duty of all public-spirited men to manifest a deep concern in local 
advancement. 



JESSE DUTTON CLEVENGER. 

Two generations of the Clevenger family have at different periods con- 
tributed to history-making epochs in the United States through their army 
service, both exhibiting a patriotism and loyalty to country which could 
spring only from a genuine sympathy in the cause for which they fought. 
Reference is made to William F. and Jesse D. Clevenger, father and son, 
the former of whom participated in the Civil War, and the latter in the 
Spanish-American war. 

W. F. Clevenger was reared in the vicinity of his birthplace, near Chi- 
cago, 111., and was living there at the time of the outbreak between the 
north and the south that culminated in the Civil war. Responding to the 
call for volunteers, he was enrolled as a member of the Seventeenth Illinois 
Infantry, and throughout the term of his service or until the close of hos- 
tilities he fought for the preservation of the Union. After the war he went 
to Warren county, Iowa, finding employment there as a builder, and later 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 811 

worn to Harrison county, the same state, and there engaged in merchan- 
dising. A later removal took him to Ainsworth, Brown county, Neb., which 
at that time, 1883, was considered the frontier, and on a homestead claim 
which he took up from the government he made his home for a consid- 
erable period. His ability for public office was soon recognized and his 
services in the capacity of county treasurer and county clerk for about ten 
Tears are a part of the history of Brown county. From Nebraska he sub- 
sequently went to Iowa once more, and in Grand Junction was engaged 
in merchandising. Later on he removed to New York state, where he now 
makes his home. His wife was before her marriage Isabelle Dutton, a na- 
tive o\ Iowa, and her death occurred while the family was living in Nebraska. 

Of the three children comprising the parental family, all of whom are 
living. Jesse D. Clevenger is the youngest, and was born in Logan, Har- 
rison county. Iowa, in 1876. That was his home until he was seven years 
of age. when removal was made to Nebraska, and in the schools of Ains- 
worth, that state, he received the greater part of his education. When he 
was only sixteen years of age he took upon himself the responsibility of 
his own maintenance, in 1892 going to Lead City, S. Dak., wdiere he was 
engaged in mining for about one year. Returning to Iowa he engaged in 
farming until 1897. when he went to Texas, there too following farming 
until enlisting for service in the Spanish-American war, in 1898. As a 
member of Company M, Twenty-third United States Infantry, he came with 
his regiment to San Francisco and from there embarked for the scene of 
warfare in the Philippine Islands. During his service of eighteen months 
he participated in all of the principal battles of the campaign, including among 
others the first battle of Coloocan and the battle of Tondo. Following his 
honorable discharge from the service he was mustered out at Cebu, P. I.. 
and from there returned home, with the intention of remaining, but about 
four months later he re-enlisted in the Third United States Artillery, Bat- 
tery O. which was subsequently reorganized and made Thirty-sixth Com- 
'■any Coast Artillery. The battalion to which Mr. Clevenger was assigned 
was ordered to China to take part in the Boxer uprising, and after peace 
was restored, returned to the Philippines, and at Laguna de Bay took part 
in a number of minor engagements. While in the Philippines Mr. Clev- 
enger organized three schools in Cabuao. two holding day sessions and one 
night. Besides teaching in one of the day schools he also taught in the 
night school, and with the aid of two teachers the work of teaching and 
disciplining was not expended in vain upon the uncouth pupils. This edu- 
cational undertaking was among the first schools on the Islands, and the 
very first in that province. After a service of nine months in this educa- 
tional field, a part of which time he was on special duty. Mr. Clevenger was 
■ ■rdered to Manila, and there he rounded out his three-year term, being 
mustered out at Angel Island. San Francisco. March 3, 1903. 

Immediately following his discharge from the service Mr. Clevenger 
came to California and took up agricultural pursuits in the Napa redwoods, 
Xapa county, continuing farming and horticulture there until February, 
1911, when he sold out his interests in the country and removed into the 
city and ever since has been engaged in the real estate business in Napa. 
He is a member of Fidelity Lodge No. 23. K. P.. of Xapa. 



GEORGE DFXTFR HILDRFTTI. 

Clearly outlined against the background of events in Solano county 
for more than half a century are the many sided and constructive efforts of 
the Hildreth family. Mining, blacksmithing, ship-building, farming, soldier 
ing and politics have had their conscientious supporters in those bearing this 



812 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

splendid old pioneer name, and too much stress cannot be laid upon the 
indebtedness of the locality for the ideals of life and effort thus established 
and maintained. 

Dexter W. Hildreth, father of George D. Hildreth, the latter the pres- 
ent auditor and assessor of Vallejo, was born in Thomaston, Me., and in 
addition to other qualifications essential to pioneering, brought with him 
to the coast in 1851 a thorough knowledge of the trade of blacksmithing. 
The trip from the east via Panama finally landed him in San Francisco, and 
from there he went to Placer county, and with moderate success engaged 
in mining until 1859. He then went to Benicia and returned to his trade 
of blacksmithing, being one of the first to follow that trade in the county. 
In 1860 he entered the employ of the government at Mare Island navy yard 
as foreman shipsmith, a position which he held for many years, when he 
resigned and formed a partnership with O. L. Henderson in carriage manu- 
facturing and blacksmithing. This for years was one of the most successful 
business interests of Vallejo, and it enabled Mr. Hildreth to eventually 
retire from the firm with a competence several years before his death, which 
occurred in 1906. For many years he was lieutenant of the Vallejo Rifles, 
the local company of the National Guard, and he was prominent in the 
councils of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows almost from its estab- 
lishment on the Pacific coast. Through his marriage to Harriet T. Har- 
rington, of Maine, four children were born, three of whom are living: Lovisa, 
wife of Edward Lewis, of Martinez ; Charles ; and George D. Seth S. is 
deceased. The wife and mother passed away in 1900. Capability alone 
never would have assured to Mr. Hildreth so firm a niche in the history 
of Solano county, had it not been accompanied and dignified by earnest- 
ness, intelligence, public spirit and unswerving integrity. 

George D. Hildreth was born in Vallejo, Solano county, July 1, 1864, 
and from his earliest youth evidenced an intelligent and inquiring mind. 
Inheriting his father's ambition and mechanical ability, he served an appren- 
ticeship as shipwright at the Mare Island navy yard, but shortly after com- 
pleting the trade he turned his attention to farming in Vallejo, his residence 
being at No. 28 Eighth street. He continued farming up to the time of his 
election, in 1904, to the present office of auditor and assessor of Vallejo. 
He immediately assumed the duties of the office and was re-elected each 
term following (in 1906, 1908 and 1910), and on the adoption of the new 
commission form of government charter for Vallejo he was, in May, 1911, 
again elected auditor and assessor for the city, which duties he is filling 
with credit and ability that prove him a popular and faithful public 
servant. In 1904 Mr. Hildreth was united in marriage to Emily Morse, 
a native of California, and of the union three children were born, Alden D. 
(deceased), Evelyn and Alice. 



OSCAR FAGERBERG. 

Sweden has contributed to the citizenship of California in Oscar Fager- 
berg, who during his residence in Napa has gained the reputation of one 
who has the best interests of his home city at heart, being enterprising 
and liberal in his support of measures for the upbuilding of town and 
county. He was born in Skara, Westrejotland, Sweden, February 12, 
1864, and was brought up to a knowledge of agriculture, for his parents 
were farmers in that northern country and made that their home through- 
out their lives. The son attended the public schools near his boyhood 
home, and subsequently served his time in the Swedish army, in so 
doing living up to the high principles of his countrymen in doing their 
duty to their country. However, thinking he would find greater oppor- 



HISTORY OF SOI. WO WD \ \l'A C< »UN riES 815 

tunities in the United States, he determined to casl his fortunes in the land 
of the Stars and Stripes, so October> 1886, found him among those who em 
barked from the seaport of Gottenburg bound for the new world, and in 
due time the vessel entered the harbor of Philadelphia. 

lust >»ue year from the time Mr. Fagerberg left his native land he mad. 
his advent into California, having in the meantime investigated conditions 
in the middle west, especially in the vicinity of Moline and Chicago, 111. 
He reached San Diego, Cal., in October, 1887, remaining there until the 
following year, when he went to Eureka, Huiriboldt county, and in May. 
8, came to Napa county, and has made his home here ever since. His 
first work was as a ranch hand, working in this capacity for a number of 
years, after which he was variously engaged until May. 1898, when he estab- 
lished the business which he still conducts, maintaining a liquor establish 
ment on Main street, in Napa. 

Mr. Fagerberg's marriage united him with Emma Swanson, she too 
being a native of Sweden, and they have two children, George Oscar and 
Ethel Maria. Fraternally Mr. Fagerberg is a member of the Eagles, Red 
Men and the Royal Arch', and his membership in the Chamber of Commerce 
is indicative oi a wholesome interest in the city's welfare. 



MAJOR ROBERT BOGLE. 

Few men possess to such a marked degree the qualities of abnegation 
and manliness set forth in the life of Robert Bogle, a man of rare courage 
and noble character, whose death occurred in Vallejo October 16, 1892. His 
father. John Bogle, a native of Glasgow. Scotland, came to America in his 
early manhood, establishing a dye works in Dutchess county on the Hudson. 
He Was later united in marriage with Miss Margaret Morrison, also born 
in I v, whose death occurred in Connecticut. In the early '40s Mr. 

d of his business and started across the plains with the Hudson 
Bay Fur Company for the Pacific coast, evidently failing, however, to reach 
his' destination, since he was never again heard from, his relatives feeling 
confident that he fell a victim to the Indians. 

Robert Bogle was the eldest of four children, and was born June 
18, 1831, in Dutchess county. X. V., on the Hudson river. Upon completion 

; - public school studies he spent some time at Munson's Academy. Mas- 
sachusetts. Hi- first position was in the service of the Harlem railroad. 
ring to Indiana in 1852. he took up locomotive engineering and later held 
a similar position in Kentucky. 

In 1859 Mr. Bogle was married to Miss Ellen Graham, a native of 

kport. Lancashire. England, and a daughter of John Graham, an Eng- 
lishman by birth, who brought his family to America in 1842. Settling in 
Massachusetts, they removed later to Indiana, thence to California. Mr. 
Graham spending his last years in San Francisco. His wife, formerly 
Alice Xicholson. who was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England, passed 
away in San Francisco in 1889. Eight children were born to them, six of 
whom are living. Mrs. Bogle being the third eldest. After his marriage 
Mr. Bogle engaged in lumber manufacturing in Bennettsville, Ky.. until the 
Civil war. 

At the beginning of the struggle he volunteered in Company E, Third 
Kentucky Cavalry, rising within a year to the rank of second lieutenant. 
Later he became captain of his company and ere the close of the war bore 
the title of brevet major, his commendatory service having won universal 
recognition. Upon being honorably discharged from military duty he re- 
moved with his family to Atchison. Kan., where he became an engineer, later 
locating in Winthrop. Mo. In 1K74 he emigrated to San Francisco, Cal., 



816 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

and for twenty-six years thereafter was engineer in the flour mill of Captain 
Starr, continuing there until his death. 

Three children were born to Major and Mrs. Bogle : Frederick, who 
passed away in Vallejo at the age of forty-five, leaving two sons, Robert 
F. and Jacob F. ; Alice B., now Mrs. O. G. Mann of Vallejo, who has two 
children, Ellen and Graham ; and Margaret H., now Mrs. J. F. Deininger, who 
has two daughters, Gladys M. and Esther E. 

Major Bogle had long been a member of Golden State Lodge No. 16, 
I. 0. O. F., and was a citizen of great public spirit and generosity. A Re- 
publican, with well defined political opinions, he was a man of broad prin- 
ciples and decisive action. Since her husband's death Mrs. Bogle has con- 
tinued to reside in her Fifth street home, which she and the Major highly 
improved, the majority of her interests being centered in Vallejo. Much 
of her leisure time she devotes to the skilful copying of rare old paintings, 
in which art she delights. In 1910 she realized a long cherished dream of 
visiting her birthplace in Stockport, near Bolton, Lancashire, England, jour- 
neying also through many other foreign countries, however spending most 
of her time in Munich, Germany. An active member of the Vallejo Episcopal 
Church, she is deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the welfare 
of those less fortunate than herself, her life being that of a consistent and 
helpful Christian. 



JOCHIM JAHN. 

In Holstein, Germany, the Jahn family had lived for many years, con- 
spicuously identified with the progress of the community. Into this family 
Jochim Jahn was born January 24, 1853, and for twenty years he remained 
under the paternal roof, in the meantime receiving his education. In 1873 
he started out for America and the same year arrived in California. For 
two years he worked on a farm in Solano county and then leased three 
hundred and twenty acres from Mrs. Salzen. Here he raised grain and hay 
and conducted a general farming business until he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres of land upon which he now resides, five miles west of Dixon, 
and devoted to grain raising. This land was purchased twenty-nine years 
ago for $5,800. 

Mr. Jahn was married in Sacramento to Martha Hendricks, a native of 
Holstein, Germany, and to them were born seven children : Claus H., 
William, John, Lena, Anna, Mattie and Rose. Lena married Gerald McCoy, 
of Winters. William married Pansy Cagle and resides in Davisville. Politi- 
cally Jochim Jahn is a Republican, and he and his good wife are members 
of the German Lutheran Church at Dixon. 



EDWARD RENIE. 

A native of Indiana, Edward Renie was born in Jennings county in 
1862. The first seven years of his life were passed in Indiana, the family 
then moving to Illinois. Shortly after this the father died and the son sought 
his fortune in other states. Journeying toward the west he settled for a 
time in Nye county, Nev., and afterwards moved to Aberdeen, Chehalis 
county, Wash. There he followed lumbering and logging for some time, 
and later moved to Republic, Wash. After a residence of about twenty years 
in Washington he located in Drain, Douglas county, Ore., and engaged in 
lumbering and logging, buying stumpage. After a stay of five years in that 
state he sold his interests and came to Solano county, Cal. Desiring to find 
a suitable location he traveled over different states and finally bought twenty 



1 1 ISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 817 

acres of land in Mexico, paying $20 per acre for the same. However, he 
concluded that Solano county was better suited to his needs and ultimately 
he returned and bought one hundred and sixty acres four miles northeast 
of Yacaville, on which he raises grain and alfalfa. A valuable pumping plant 
supplies ample irrigation. 

Politically Mr. Renie is a Socialist and fraternally a member of the 
Woodmen of the World at Kettle Falls. Wash. 



JOHN M. COGHLAN. 

Over three decades have come and gone since the passing of John M. 
Coghlan, but time has not effaced from the minds of those who knew him 
the accomplishments of the years passed in California, first in Napa county 
and later in the city of San Francisco. In him the legal profession had an 
efficient representative, and his death in 1879, at the early age of forty-one 
years, came as a blow to his legal associates and cut short the promise of a 
brilliant career. A native of the south, he was born in Louisville, Ky., in 
1837. the son of Dr. Cornelius Coghlan, who was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 
the descendant of old Virginia and Maryland families. The early death of 
his parents made it necessary for John M. Coghlan to see the serious side 
of life at an age when most boys were happy and care free, and a public 
school education obtained in the schools of Louisville was practically his 
only asset when he was cast upon his own resources. A predilection for 
the legal profession was recognized at an early age and no opportunity to 
fit himself for the field that destiny had chosen for him to occupy was 
allowed to pass his notice. In the course of his studies he was attracted 
to the west on account of the mining possibilities in Nevada, but the attrac- 
tion did not prove sufficiently alluring for him to discontinue his studies. 
About 1861 he came to Napa county with the intention of going south into 
Mexico, but instead he remained here and completed his legal course, after 
which he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession 
in Xapa. Subsequently he removed to Suisun and continued his practice, 
and it was while in that city that he was elected a member of congress 
from his district. At the close of his term in the legislature he took up his 
residence in San Francisco, where he opened an office and soon was in com- 
mand of a splendid private practice, besides which, in 1875, he was elected 
to serve the United States government as district attorney. Among his 
many warm personal friends he numbered President Grant, and it was by 
him that Mr. Coghlan was appointed one of the judges of the territory of 
Utah, but he did not qualify, preferring to continue the practice of his 
profession in San Francisco, and it was in that city that his death occurred 
in 1879. He was a Mason of the Knight Templar degree and was a stanch 
Republican in his political leanings. 

Mr. Coghlan's marriage in 1864 united him with Miss Eva Coombs, a 
native of Xapa valley, where their marriage occurred, and the daughter of 
Nathan and Isabella Maria (Gordon) Coombs. A native of Massachusetts, 
Nathan Coombs was attracted to the west when he was a youth of fourteen 
years, and in Oregon, where he first located, he met William Gordon, formerly 
a resident of Ohio, and subsequently the two men came to California. The 
Coombs and Gordon families were subsequently bound by closer ties than 
friendship when Nathan Coombs was united in marriage with the daughter 
of his friend, William Gordon. Mr. Coombs was one of the first settlers 
in Napa county, where he entered from the government and also purchased 
large tracts of land, and in addition to its cultivation, also ran a stage line 
between Napa and Benicia, and connected with steamers. Undoubtedly Mr. 



818 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Coombs was one of the most active and prominent business men of Napa 
county during his time, and in his death in 1877, not only the community 
in which his life was cast sustained a severe loss, but the county and state 
as well, for he wielded a wide influence. His wife survived him until 1890. 
The death of her husband left Mrs. Coghlan with three small children 
to educate and rear and also with business interests that up to this time had 
not claimed her attention. That she proved herself equal to the tasks laid 
upon her has been proven with the passing of years, and not only has she 
reared her children to lives of usefulness, but she has also become known 
as a woman of considerable business ability. Among her holdings is a part 
of the Chamiles rancho, located about twelve miles from Suisun and thir- 
teen miles from Napa, and devoted to stock raising and general farming. 
This is considered one of the finest stock ranches in that section of country 
and the fact that the land is well watered and covered with timber to some 
extent adds greatly to its value for this special purpose. Solano creek runs 
through the property, besides which there are numerous springs scattered 
over the ranch. Since 1892 Mrs. Coghlan has made her home in San Fran- 
cisco, her youngest child, John Carroll, making his home with her. The 
eldest son, Nathan Coombs Coghlan, is a well-known attorney of San Fran- 
cisco, and is also a member of the state legislature. The only daughter of 
Mrs. Coghlan is Catherine E., Mrs. Haseltine of San Francisco. 



JAMES HENRY PARE. 



Although not a 



'Forty-niner," James H. Pare may well be termed a 
pioneer worthy of honorable mention. Born in" Kentucky Dec. 6. 1831, he 
remained in that state until he was twenty-five years of age. when- he moved 
to Dallas county, Mo. There he was fired with the enthusiasm that was being 
wafted across the plains from the far west because of the chances for young 
men afforded in new fields. Accordingly in 1856 he decided to take the 
perilous and adventuresome trip with a party of three friends, and they started 
with four yokes of oxen. They went by way of the North Platte and Ft. 
Kearney and crossed the desert at the sink of the Humboldt, reaching Sacra- 
mento after five irksome, dreary months of travel, then plodded on still further 
to Napa valley. This long period of privation and hardship told on Mr. Pare's 
constitution, and he was ill for some months, but with the spirit of the times, 
we find him in 1857 at work building fences in Wooden valley. For two years 
he followed this occupation, then returned to Napa valley and engaged in farm- 
ing. About forty years ago he located in Capell valley, where he had purchased 
the ranch he now owns. It consists of four hundred acres, twenty being in 
vineyard and an orchard of prunes, peaches and almonds, the remainder de- 
voted to hay and pasture. In 1910 he produced fifteen tons of Zinfandel 
grapes. 

Our subject married Mary P. See, at the old Revere house in Napa 
county. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born November 29, 1854, and died 
in Capell valley October 23, 1902. 

They were the parents of seven children : Marcus L., Archie M., Fred- 
erick H., Edna M. and Mary M. at home with their parents ; and Delia F., a 
graduate of San Jose Normal school, wife of Thomas Beebe, living in Healds- 
burg with their three children ; and Dora C, wife of C. L. Beck, living in 
Capell valley with their two children. 

Public schools in Kentucky afforded such educational advantages as Mr. 
Pare had. Since he came to California he has ably served several terms as 
school trustee. It is said that the first school in Capell valley was taught in 
his house. Politically he is a Democrat and his standing in the community 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTIES 821 

'.tested by the tact that he was elected justice of the peace, though he 
refused to qualify for the office. His daughter Edna is postmistress of the 

ell postoffice. 

Mr. Tare takes great pride in his possessions, earned by the sweat of his 
brow, and at the ripe old age of four score years can look hack upon the pasl 
with no vain regrets, for his diligence, perseverance, innate integrity and 
many splendid qualifications of character have not only won for him the con 
si ss of a life well spent but the confidence and respeel of all who know 
him. 



JOHN B. FISCUS. 

A native of Pennsylvania, John B. Fiscus was born in Armstrong county 

February 17. 1840. the son of John and Mary (O'Brien) Fiscus, both natives 
of Pennsylvania. Reared on the home farm, John Fiscus received a common 
school education in the vicinity o\ his boyhood home. Later he became in- 
terested with his brother in oil well drilling, assisting him in putting down 
three wells. In 1862 John B. Fiscus set out on the lone and arduous trip 
across the plains, a trip of three months finally bringing him to Carson 
valley. Nev., where he was foreman of a ranch until 1865, when he came to 
California, settling' in Rio Vista, Solano county. He is now one of five 
men left who were here at the time of his arrival. For two years he creditably 
discharged the duties of assistant postmaster. 

Tn 1875 Mr. Fiscus was married to Miss Tda I. Squires, a native of New 
Y"rk. She died in 1896. and is buried in Lone Mountain Cemetery. Three 
of the four children born to them are living: Chester S.. captain of a 
dredger and living in Sacramento: Frank A., also captain of a dredger and 
residing in Rio Vista; and John, also employed on a dredger. 

Mr. Fiscus owns property in Rio Vista, where for some years he has 
successfully maintained a livery stable. For fifteen years he has held the 
ition of deputy sheriff, and is now constable of Rio Vista, a position he 
lias filled efficiently for the past twenty-eight years. In fact, he has held 
public office almost ever since coming to California. In performing his 
duties as a peace officer he has had many narrow escapes with desperadoe-. 
but fortunately he has come out of the different shooting escapades not with 
a whole hide. Inn with his life spared. 

When Mr. Fiscus came to this country it was in a very wild and un- 
settled state. To his lot there fell the privileges as well as the hardships 
<>f the pioneer. There were only nine houses in Rio Vista when he first 

led here. He well remembers, in 1865. the blowing up of the old Yosemite 
steamboat, when between ninety and one hundred people were killed. He 
remembers the time when they had to pick up the old elk horns and haul 
them into the gulches before they could mow the wild oats. And now. in 
the more advanced vears of life, he is enjoying a well earned competency 
amid the luxuries of the present-day civilization. 



JOS F I'll GORDON'. 

California has perpetuated the memory of those who came here in the 
early days and did the brunt of the pioneering for the future generations, 
by giving their names to towns, rivers, mountains and valleys. This 
tinction belongs to Joseph Gordon, one of the for pioneers of Napa 

county. He was born in Taos or unity. X. Mex., December 5. 1835. the son 
of William and Mary Jane fCuzero i Gordon, the former born in Ohio of 
Scotch descent, and the latter born in New Mexico. When twenty years of 




822 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



age the father removed from Ohio to New Mexico, was there married and 
there his son Joseph was born. When the latter was five years old the father 
brought the family across the plains to California on mule back. Location 
was later made in Los Angeles, and there a daughter, Margaret, was born 
December 17, 1840, the first white child born in the state. She became the 
wife of Edward Tutt, a native of Missouri, and of the fourteen children born 
to them, four died in infancy, and others are as follows : Henry and Aaron, 
deceased; Philip; Edward; Maria, deceased; Ellen M. ; Margaret; Jessie; 
Lily and Jack, deceased. 

The first location of Joseph Gordon in California was in Washington, 
Yolo county, and from there he went to Gordon grant, Cache creek, same 
county, where he lived until 1872. On August 4 of that year he came to 
Gordon's valley and came into possession of nine hundred acres of land, of 
which he later sold off more than half. He still has three hundred and twenty- 
five acres, of which ten are in vineyard, and it is his intention to plant thirty 
acres more to vineyard. He also has a few cattle and hogs on the place. 

Mr. Gordon's marriage united him with Ruth Ann Glasscock, a native 
of Ralls county, Mo., and the daughter of Spencer and Sarah Glasscock, both 
natives of Virginia, and who settled in Missouri before the war. The fol- 
lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gordon : James B., Joseph W. 
and Nellie M. The daughter became the wife of George Harley, of Gordon's 
valley, and they have three children, Lotus, Frank and Elmer. James B. 
died in infancy and Joseph W. at the age of twenty years. Joseph Gordon 
and his brother William are today the oldest living American settlers. Po- 
litically the former is a Democrat. 



THOMAS BENTON EDINGTON. 

The early days in the history of the state are recalled by Thomas B. 
Edington, who came to California in 1857, at the age of seventeen years, 
in search of fortune ; not in the mines, however, as the excitement in that 
direction was on the wane, but rather in the broad fields that were waiting 
for the efforts of the agriculturist to make them bloom and blossom. The 
scene of his boyhood years was passed near Springfield, Mo., where he was 
born March 31, 1840, the son of W. H. Edington, a native of Kentucky, the 
descendant of German ancestors. In young manhood the father removed 
from Kentucky to Missouri, settling near Springfield, where he followed the 
occupation of farming. His wife, formerly Louisa Patterson, was a native 
of Missouri and the descendant of Scotch ancestors. Both of the parents 
rounded out their lives in Missouri and there they reared their four children, 
three sons and one daughter. The first of the family to leave the parental 
roof was William, who in 1856 came to California and settled in Napa, where 
he died. 

The youngest child in the parental family, Thomas B. Edington, was 
reared on the home farm in Dallas county, Mo., and in that locality he gained 
such an education as the subscription schools of that day offered. In 1857, 
when he was seventeen years of age, he became restless on the home farm 
and determined to follow his elder brother, who the year before had come 
to California to make his home. Joining a company of ten men who had out- 
fitted with ox teams for the overland journey, the young man made the trip 
in safety, coming directly to Napa county, where he was fortunate in finding 
work as a farm hand. Later he engaged in farming fourteen miles from Napa 
on the Rutherford place, continuing there for twenty-six years altogether, 
when he gave up the position, and after three years passed in San Jose, again 
came to Napa and resumed farming. The latter was soon relinquished in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 823 

favor of the real estate business, however, and it is this business that engages 
his attention at the present time, the firm of Edington & McDonald being 
recognized as reliable and thoroughgoing. Of late Mr. Edington has been 
giving some attention to the development of oil in Napa county, having found 
such good indications that he feels justified ill making further investigations. 
Associated with others he is now engaged in drilling for oil on a lot across 
from the court house on Third street, where oil of high grade has been reached 
at a depth of sixty feet. Besides this enterprise, he was one of the organ- 
izers and the vice president of the Sunshine Oil Company in Bakersfield, 
but is no longer connected with the enterprise, having sold his interest. 

In Solano county, Cal., in 1864. Mr. Edington was united in marriage 
with Miss Malvina Stice, a native of Scotland county, Mo., who came to 
California overland with her parents in 1857. The following children were 
born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Edington: Jannettie Bell, the widow 
^i John Grigsby, residing near St. Helena; Irena, Mrs. Bradley, residing 
at Rutherford; Joseph Lee, a rancher in Chiles valley; William Hampton 
and James B.. who are engaged in the butcher business at Rutherford; David 
Newton and John J., both residents of San Francisco; Leland Stanford, of 
Xapa ; and George R., foreman of the Harris ranch at Rutherford. Politi- 
cally Mr. Edington is a Democrat, and on the ticket of this party was at 
one time a candidate for the office of county assessor and sheriff, but was 
defeated, as the party was in the minority ; but the fact of his nomination 
is worthy of mention as it indicates Mr. Edington's popularity among his 
fellow citizens. 



PHILIP DIEHL. 

Numbered among the intelligent, enterprising and worthy residents of 
Xapa is Philip Diehl, who as a carriage and wagon maker, blacksmith and 
proprietor of a general repair shop, is intimately associated with the advance- 
ment of the industrial welfare of the city. A skilled mechanic, he has gained 
a wide reputation for honest and durable workmanship, and' has built up 
an extensive and lucrative business, having a large patronage in the vicinity. 
In selecting his life business Mr. Diehl followed the calling of his father, also 
Philip Diehl, a native of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, who had learned his 
trade in the old country. On this side of the Atlantic he first followed his 
trade in Xew Orleans, from there come west and located in Portland, Ore., 
and still later went to Hangtown, Cal., where in connection with his trade 
he also followed mining to some extent. His next removal took him to 
Placerville Idaho, there also combining his trade with mining, and contin- 
uing this dual occupation until 1880, when he came to Napa. On East 
First street he opened a shop in which he continued in business until June, 
1886. when he met with a sudden death, being kicked by a mule. He was 
a man of excellent qualities and an acquisition to the citizenship of Napa, 
and his death was generally mourned. He was a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. His wife. Margaret Wagner, in maidenhood was also a native 
of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, and is now residing in Napa, where she 
attends the Lutheran church, as did also her husband. 

Of the five children originally comprising the parental family four are 
living, and Philip Diehl was next to the oldest of the number. He was born 
in Placerville, Idaho, May 12, 1870, and was therefore ten years old when 
with his parents he came to Xapa county. Here he attended the public 
schools for a number of years, after which, in 1886. he began an appren- 
ticeship to the blacksmith's trade under his father. The death of this parent 
two months later made a change in his plans and he subsequently was under 
apprenticeship with E. V. Lyttaker, remaining with him for about eighteen 



824 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

months, when he went to San Francisco and followed his trade as a jour- 
neyman for two years. Returning to Napa at the end of this time he was 
in the employ of William Hunter for the following six years, leaving this 
position to take a trip to Honolulu, and upon his return to the continent was 
employed in the Union iron works in San Francisco for a time and also 
with the firm of Reagan & Slappy, remaining with the latter for eight months. 

With a varied and interesting experience as the result of his temporary 
absence from his home city, Mr. Diehl returned to Napa and entered the 
employ of John Gerlach, remaining with this employer for four years, when 
he started in business for himself on Coombs street, running it for two years, 
when he disposed of it and for the following eight months was blacksmith 
at the cement works. Deciding to engage in business for himself once more, 
he in 1905 secured the location which his father had formerly occupied and 
established the nucleus of the present business. For five years he ran the 
business alone, but since 1910 has had a capable and efficient partner in 
Albert Ballmer, an association which is congenial, and remunerative as well. 
Besides doing a general blacksmith business they also do all kindsof wood- 
work connected with wagons, carriages and automobiles, horseshoeing and 
rubber tire work, in fact, anything in connection with road vehicles needing 
repairs or alterations will receive expert attention from the enterprising pro- 
prietors of the East Napa carriage shop, as their place is known. Recently 
they have built an addition to the shop 25x80 feet, equipped with electric 
power and gas tire heater. 

Fraternally Mr. Diehl is a member of Napa Lodge No. 18, I. O. O. F., 
of which he is past noble grand, and he is also a member of the Encampment, 
in which he is also a past officer. On a number of occasions he has served 
on the county central committee of the Democratic party. 

The junior member of the firm, Albert Ballmer, was born in Stuttgart, 
Wurtemberg, Germany, May 10, 1880, and came to this country with his 
parents and settled in Napa county in 1883. In 1897 he began learning the 
blacksmith's trade, completing it under Ben Smith, and afterward worked 
at the trade here until June 1, 1910, when he purchased an interest in the 
business owned by Mr. Diehl. Mr. Ballmer is past chief ranger of the For- 
esters of America, is past vice-grand of the Odd Fellows, is a member of 
the affiliated order of Rebekahs, and is serving in his second term as com- 
mander of the Knights of the Maccabees. For six years and a half he was 
a member of Company H, Fifth Regulars, N. G. C. 



KENDALL CLIFTON KEENE. 

Born in Washington, D. C, January 22, 1870, K. C. Keene is the son of 
Josiah I. Keene, a native of Maine, who was born in 1827 and passed away 
in 1899. The wife and mother, Emma Comrad, died in 1872, when the son 
was two years of age. The father took his little son to Minnesota and left 
him with his aunt, he himself then coming to California. For several years 
the boy remained in that state under the care and training of his aunt, and 
when he was seven years old the father returned from the west and. taking 
the little fellow with him, returned to California again and settled in Ventura 
county, where he remained until his decease in 1899. Mr. Keene was edu- 
cated in the public schools of Ventura and at the age of seventeen years 
he entered Heald's Business College, San Francisco. After graduating and 
until he was twenty-four years of age he remained on the beautiful ranch 
of his father on the Sespee and then he resolved to branch out for himself 
and make his own way. At the age just mentioned he went to Sonoma 
county and resided in Santa Rosa for one year, following farming. His 
next move was to Solano county and he was so delighted with the place 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 827 

that he concluded to remain there. Being a resourceful and talented young 
man he decided to lease land and undertake Farming. Tins he did and eon 
tinued at the same occupation until 1908, when he was selected as the man- 
• of the Rochdale Company --lore at Fairfield. This is the largest general 
merchandise business in Suisun or Fairfield. He is one of the chief stock- 
holders and a director in the concern besides which, he is also farming about 
seventeen hundred acres of good land, in close proximity to Suisun. devoted 
to hay and grain, and to raising hogs and cattle for the market. 

In the year 1895 Mr. Keene was married to Ethel llartman, a native of 
Santa Barbara county, and to this union three children were born, the first, 
Ruth Emma, dying in infancy. Clair Wesley Keene was born in 1903 and 
is attending school at Fairfield : Irma Lucern Keene was born in 1908. Mrs. 
Keene's parents were born in California, and the father is deceased. Mr. 
Keene is a member of the Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M.. Suisun Lodge 
No. 78. I. O. O. V.. of which he is past grand, and at present is a member 
of the grand lodge, lie is also a member of Mt. Moriah Encampment and 
a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a stanch 
Republican. 



ST. VINCENT CONVENT SCHOOL. 

Among the most telling intluences for good in any community are its 
educational institutions, whether of a secular or religious order, and classed 
among those of the latter division in Yallcjo mention should be made of St. 
Vincent's convent school. This became a reality in September, 1870, as the 
result of careful thought and planning on the part of the pastor of St. 
Vincent's Church, Father Louis Daniels, O. P.. and classes were first held in 
a building which had been remodeled for the purpose from the old church 
ni St. Vincent. This had been erected in 1855 on a lot adjoining the city 
hall, and had served as the church of the congregation from that time until 
remodeled for school purposes, when, in 1870. it was removed to its present 
location, facing Florida street, between Santa Clara and Sacramento street. 
The school was placed in charge of five sisters of the order of St. Dominic 
from St. Catherine's school at Benicia. During the experimental days of the 
school's history the attendance was small but the growth was healthy and 
steady, until now. not only in point of numbers, but in its scope of usefulness 
it bears little resemblance to the school of forty years ago. In 1883 two 
class rooms were added and two more teachers were taken into the teaching 
force, but even these additions finally proved inadequate to meet the need 
of the school. In 1893. a new building (two stories and basement) was 
erected between the sisters' convent and St. Vincent's church. 

From an architectural standpoint nothing could be suggested to make 
the new school of St. Vincent more attractive and in point of usefulness 
and convenience nothing has been overlooked. Located on a rise of ground. 
it commands a view covering a radius of many miles. From the date ol its 
foundation until the building of the new school pupils were restricted to 
young ladies only, but with the erection of the new school provision was 
made to admit boys. In 1<X)3 another innovation was made in opening a 
class room for the smaller children, and here the young mind may gather 
it- hr-u knowledge outside of the home under the most favorable intluences. 
In 1907 a commercial course was added to the curriculum, which has proven 
verv successful. The music department has been made very attractive and 
is presided over by very efficient vocal ami instrumental teachers, all of 
which with the finely appointed library, tends to make this one of the most 
thoroughly equipped educational institutions of Solano and Napa counties. 
At present writing (1911) there are four hundred and thirty pupils in the 



828 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

school, under the direction of a corps of fourteen teachers. The teachers of 
the institution have always been women of unusual qualifications and decided 
ability, among whom, in the early days, was Sister Louis, who is now Mother 
Provincial of the Dominican Houses of California, the headquarters of which 
are at San Rafael. 



JAMES WILLIAM HULS. 

A strain of stability and conservatism runs through the veins of the 
Huls family, as is exemplified in the parents of James William Huls, who 
reared their family on the old homestead where his mother was born, and 
again in him, who upon completing his education here, branched out for 
himself on a ranch in Napa valley, where he has seen fit to remain ever since. 
The family came to California in 1873 and to Napa valley in 1875. 

George Huls and Sarah Jane (Semple) Huls were united in marriage 
in Ohio and were the parents of three children : John A., who married Mary 
Louisa Doty, and has five children, Alonzo, Elsie A., Stella F., Emma J. 
and Myra ; Mary Rebecca, the wife of D. C. Stice and the mother of four 
children. Elmer, Cecil, Etta and Cleora ; and James William. The last 
mentioned was born in Preble county, Ohio, in January, 1854. Since his 
father's death in 1901, he has remained on the ranch with his mother, now 
at the advanced age of eighty-four years, but ever young at heart. Many 
evidences of tireless energy are to be found upon this well-managed ranch, 
which is in fruit, hay and pasture, besides which he owns ten acres, where 
he engages principally in the poultry business. Politically he is a Republican 
in national politics. Unpretentious he always is, following with cheerful 
mood the even tenor of his way the peaceful pursuits of a farmer, and as a 
citizen of Napa county he is highly respected for his nobility of. character 
and usefulness as a citizen. 



SAMUEL B. FENLEY. 

Firm in the belief that Solano county offers opportunities equal to 
those claimed by other portions of the west, Mr. Fenley returned hither 
in 1897 for the purpose of establishing a permanent home, and ever since 
then he has been engaged busily and quietly in the upbuilding of the val- 
uable property which he owns in the northern part of the county. The tract 
consists of twenty-six acres well adapted to the raising of fruit. Fourteen 
acres have been planted to almonds now in bearing, while a splendid orchard 
of peach trees covers ten acres, giving an output of four and one-half tons 
of dried fruit for the season of 1910. During the same year seven tons of 
almonds were gathered from the trees and disposed of at excellent prices in 
the markets. With these gratifying results to represent his energetic efforts 
as a horticulturist, it is not strange that the owner is proud of his little farm 
and maintains a high opinion concerning the opportunities which the county 
offers to men of industry and intelligence. 

For the first twenty years of his life Samuel B. Fenley made his home 
on a farm in Missouri, where he was born in Boone county, August 24, 1848. 
and where in youth he learned the lessons taught by nature and by practical 
training in agriculture rather than by systematic studies in school. January 
12, 1869, he began the long journey from his early home to California via 
New York, where he boarded the steamer Alaska for Panama. Crossing the 
isthmus on the narrow gauge railroad he secured passage on the steamer 
Colorado for San Francisco, where he landed at ten o'clock on the morning 
of January 31, 1869. Coming direct to Solano county he secured employ- 
ment and remained for twelve months. Next he spent six months at Truckee, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES N2<> 

where he followed railroading on the Southern Pacific. His next location 
was at Corinne, Utah, where he took a contract to drive a stage coach to 
the Snake river mines. Three months were spent as a driver and then for 
eighteen months he engaged in prospecting and mining. Later he mined in 
the Wasatch mountains for four months. On leaving the mines he worked 
on a ranch in the Ruby valley in Nevada for eight months and followed 
ranching in Sonoma county. Cal., for one year. 

With a return to Solano county and a resumption of ranch activities, 
Samuel B. Fenley found a new and deep interest in movements connected 
with this part of' the state, but having formed a habit of travel it was not 
easy to locate permanently. Accordingly after three years here he returned 
to the Ruby valley and worked for a year. Another sojourn of three years 
in Solano county followed, after which he moved to Arizona and embarked 
in general farming. The country, however, did not suit him and at the ex- 
piration of three years he returned to Solano county with a fixed resolve to 
remain here permanently. For twenty-three years he has been a member 
oi the Winters Lodge, K. of P.. and while absent from its meetings much 
of the time he has maintained a warm interest in its philanthropies and has 
been a contributor to its charities. The Democratic party receives his ballot. 



WILLIAM N. RICHARDSON. 

So young was Mr. Richardson when he came to California that he 
knows no other home and all his experiences are intimately connected with 
the land of sunshine and flowers. He was born in Davis county. Iowa, in 
1872. His father. R. B. Richardson, is a native of Tennessee and is now 
living in Shasta county. Cal., enjoying life at the age of sixty-five. When 
only twelve months old the boy was brought by his parents to California, 
the' family settling in Shasta county, where he was given the opportunities 
of an education in the grammar schools of the locality and was brought up 
on a ranch. He became a close observer of all that pertains to successful 
farming and. indeed, all that pertains to success in every department of 
life. In 1890 he went to Xapa, where he remained until 1895, when he 
came to Solano county. 

The marriage of Mr. Richardson and Mrs. Annie (Hincken) Steinmetz 
was celebrated in 1904. the latter being a native of San Francisco. Up to 
the time of her marriage she had been a resident of Solano county for twenty- 
five vears. Mr. Richardson owns fifty acres of land about five miles from 
Yacaville. in the fertile Vaca valley, all planted to prunes and pears, the 
ranch being a model of industry and cultivation. 

Mr. Richardson is a member of the Foresters of America at Dixon and 
the Knights of Pythias, of Vacaville. Politically he is a Republican and 
works for his party, but never has sought office of any kind. He was be- 
reaved by the death of his wife February 23, 1912, her loss coming as a 
blow not only to himself and family, but to her many friends. 



JAMES CORCORAN". 

Many native sons of the state are maintaining the reputation which they 
have gained in that they rarely seek a home outside of their native state. 
This is true of fames Corcoran, who was born in Petaluma, Sonoma county. 
Tune 18, 1868. While he takes pride in the fact that he is a native son oi 
the state, he is none the less proud of the fact that he is a son of one of the 
earlv pioneers of the state, his father. Daniel Corcoran, coming here in the 
Ireland was the native home of Daniel Corcoran, but hi- personal 



830 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

knowledge of the country was meagre from the fact that he left that country 
in boyhood and came to the United States. Three years were passed in 
Hartford, Conn., and it is not impossible that he might have remained there 
indefinitely had not the finding of gold in California raised large hopes in 
his bosom as it did in thousands of others. Among those who braved the 
dangers of a voyage around Cape Horn in a sailing vessel in the '50s was 
Daniel Corcoran, the vessel landing at San Francisco without experiencing 
any disasters. Unlike the majority of his fellow travelers he was not bent 
on testing his ability as a miner, but instead sought work among the ranchers 
in Sonoma county, and was fortunate beyond his expectations in securing 
a position as care-taker for Page Brothers large stock ranch, known as the 
Cotati ranch, near Penn Grove. The property consisted of ten thousand 
acres of land, stocked with sheep and cattle, and the position of care-taker 
was no sinecure. From the Cotati ranch he subsequently came to Solano 
county and in Green Valley assumed the management of a large ranch for 
the same employers, known as the Page ranch and comprising five thousand 
acres. In 1887, after a continuous service of fifteen years on the last-mentioned 
ranch, he began ranching on his own account on property three miles north 
of Vallejo, his ranch comprising two hundred and twenty acres. For fifteen 
years he toiled diligently in the improvement of his property, on a portion 
of which he raised grain, and on the remainder he raised sheep and cattle. 
Here his death occurred in 1903, a wife and a large family of children being 
left to mourn the loss of a kind husband and father. 

Before her marriage, which was celebrated in San Francisco in 1867, 
the wife of Daniel Corcoran was Miss Margaret Barrett, a native of Ireland, 
but a resident of California since that time. She still owns the old ranch, 
where she makes her home, the place being managed by her son James. 
Besides the son just mentioned the following children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Corcoran : Daniel, deceased ; Delia, the wife of Capt. Bernard McManus, 
of San Francisco, who is captain of the police force ; Margaret, the wife of 
Lewis Young, also a policeman in San Francisco; Edward, a resident of 
Oakland; David, living in Stanislaus county; Father Joseph, who was edu- 
cated for the priesthood in St. Dominic's Monastery, Benicia, and is now 
assistant pastor of St. Dominic's church at Benicia; and Nellie, still at home 
with her mother. 

After completing his studies in the common schools James Corcoran 
learned telegraphy and secured a position as telegraph operator in the em- 
ploy of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, after which he was in the 
employ of the Baker & Hamilton Company at Benicia. At this juncture it 
became necessary for him to return to the home ranch to assist his father 
in caring for it, and after the death of the elder man he took entire charge 
of the ranch and has since continued its management along the lines as 
originally planned by the father. At the present time (1911) he has one 
hundred and seventy-five head of sheep and about sixty acres in grain. James 
Corcoran was married in 1909 to Miss Anna Drumm, she, too, being a native 
of California. 



GEORGE ANGUS JENNINGS. 

The son of pioneer parents, George Angus Jennings was born in San 
Francisco, in December, 1869. His father, Augustus A. Jennings, a native 
of Maine, came to California when the gold fever was at its height and he 
was regarded as one of the state's pioneers. He died in 1877. His wife, 
Barbara (McKay) Jennings, who was born in Prince Edward Island in 1835, 
now makes her home in San Francisco. 

Mr. Jennings received his education in the public schools of San Fran- 



HISTORY OF SOI. WO WD X \ P A COUNTIES 833 

ciSCO, and for I'nc years after he graduated WW employed in a clothing More. 
Theil, dCSiring to lettd a life requiring more physical effort, he entered the 

planing mill and lumber business and continued in the same for some years, 

or until he came to \ acaville in 1895. Mis first position was on the R. II. 
Chinn ranch, ^i which he was superintendent and was responsihle for the 
hiring of the men to work the farm. He held this responsible position for 
eigtll years. In 1903 he became manager ^i the C. M. Hartley ranch, known 
as the Hartley Orchard Company, a position which he still holds, and his 
services are thoroughly appreciated by his employer. 

Mr. Jennings married Miss Carrie H. Pry, a native of St. Joseph, Mo., 
ami their Only child. Ethel K.. was horn in \ acaville September 14, 1 ( X)3. 
She is attending the public school of her district. Politically Mr. Jennings 
il a Republican, ami fraternally he is a member oi \ acaville Lodge Xo. 83, 
I. O. O F.. and Almond Camp \'o. [77, Woodmen of the World. 



WILLIAM M. HARRIS. 

Prominent among the successful ranchers oi Napa county is William 
M. Harris, who rents a good ranch near Rutherford. Cal. Born in Scotland 
county. Mo., in 1851, he was associated with his birthplace for several years 
after he had received an education at the public schools. On the home farm 
he gained practical experience in farming, which was of great assistance 
to him when he came to California and commenced farming on his own 
account. He came to the west in the spring of 1874, and in Rutherford, 
Xapa county, was employed for five years on the ranch of his cousin, 
Henry H. Harris. After ranching for two years in Colusa county he went 
hack to Missouri and remained for five years. Becoming dissatisfied with 
life in the east he once more came to California and settled in Napa county, 
in 1894. renting the C. P. Adamson ranch of one hundred and seventy-two 
acres near Rutherford. Here he has farmed ever since, always with suc- 
s and never with regret that he came to California. From fifty-five 
acres of vineyard and four acres of orchard he has received a good income, 
and one season he received $27 a ton for his grapes. 

On May 1. 1880. Mr. Harris was united in marriage with Emily C. 
Horn, the daughter of Amos A. Horn, a pioneer of Napa valley. The wife 
he latter. Mary Peterson in maidenhood, was born in Lafayette county. 
Mo., the daughter of Ziba P>. Peterson, who brought his family across the 
plains with ox-teams in 1848, the journey covering six months. He was 
proclaimed the first sheriff of Placer county. Seven children were born of 
the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Harris, as follows: William A.; Mary, the wife 
of H. D. Skellinger; Henry H. : Iva A., the wife of Ed McPike; Lilas. the 
wife of George Schaffer. Lela and Bertha. 



JOSEPH FVEY. 

A native of Iowa. Joseph Evey spent a portion of his youth in that state, 
and came to California in the year 1853. settling Oft a farm on the toll road, 
mar Calisto^a. Napa county. Here he was successfully engaged in raising 
grapes for the market up to the time of his decease in 1867. Mr. Evey 
married Miss Sarah Wright, whose father was a forty-niner, who crossed 
the plains from Missouri and settled in Xapa valley, where he was engaged 
in ranching for many years. To Mr. and Mrs. Evey there were born the 
following children: Alice, wife of C. Y. Caldwell, of Santa Rosa: Joseph, 
of upper Lake county; and David D., of Calistoga. Mrs. Evey died in 1875. 

38 



834 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

David D. Evey was born in Calistoga May 29, 1864. His parents died 
when he was quite young and he was therefore thrown on his own resources 
at an early age. When seventeen years old he started to work on the Tubb's 
ranch, and in 1900 he became manager of that valuable property and is still 
acting in that capacity. Under his wise direction the ranch has increased 
in value and is very productive. He leased a ranch in Sonoma county and 
for five years he farmed it very successfully. By judicious and careful man- 
agement he was able to purchase a place of his own at the foot of Mt. St. 
Helena, about four miles above Calistoga. Here he has a paying place, 
twenty-seven acres in French prunes and ten acres in vineyard, and undoubt- 
edly he is one of the largest prune growers in this part of the Napa valley. 
The Tubb's ranch is one of the show places of the valley and of the county. 
It consists of eight hundred acres of good land, one hundred and twenty-five 
of which is in vineyard. The splendid home is on an elevation, so that it 
can be seen for miles around. The garden is beautifully laid out and has 
fine wide walks, sloping lawns and ferns and flowers of all descriptions. 
It is an indication of the skill and ability of the man who has charge of it 
and who has done so much to improve the ranch. 

On December 22, 1896, David D. Evey married Miss Alfa Lawrence, a 
native of Sonoma county. They have one child. Gladys. Mr. Evey is a 
member of Calistoga Lodge No. 233, F. & A. M. He is a man who has arisen 
to his present success because of his ambition and determination to succeed, 
and he knew that he could do so if he gave the proper application to his 
life work. The people of the vicinity know him well and he is one that has 
a broad view of life and is always in favor of everything that will mean an 
advancement of the common good and is ever willing to devote a part of 
his time and means to accomplish that end. 



MARTHA ANN JEPSON, WIFE OF WILLIAM LEMON JEPSON, 

DECEASED. 

It was in Simpson county, Ky., that William Lemon Jepson was born 
in 1825. His paternal grandfather, Dr. Jesse Jepson, of English descent, 
served on the American side in the war of 1812. His maternal grandfather, 
Jesse Morrow, of Scotch ancestry, was a Revolutionary soldier in the War 
of Independence. His own father was Willis Jepson. The western tide of 
migration carried the family of Willis Jepson from Kentucky into Missouri 
when William Jepson was but a lad. William Jepson was the fourth child 
in a family of seven brothers and one sister. At an early age he cherished 
a desire to leave Missouri. This impulse rested primarily upon his growing 
discontent with the conditions of society in a slave state. His father's 
family had owned negroes, so that the institution was familiar; but the youth 
was mastered by the lure of the far west and seized the opportunity in 1850 
to come to California, where he became a gold miner. Later he visited the 
Sandwich Islands and Panama, then returned to Missouri, where he married 
Miss Martha Ann Potts, in 1856. 

Martha Potts was born in Jackson county, Missouri, in 1832, the fourth 
of the ten children of John Potts. Her grandfather, Thomas Potts, was a 
Virginian. 

In 1857 William Jepson, with his wife Martha, started with a train of 
three ox-wagons and a retinue of animals and drivers to California. The 
dangers of that overland journey "across the plains" have often been nar- 
rated. "There was always fear of Indians," said Mrs. Martha Jepson. "Every 
once in a while we passed a little grave on the trail marked 'Killed by Indians.' 
Yet I don't know how it was — I was never really afraid. In the willows on 



HISTORY OF SOLAXO AND NAPA COUNTIES 835 

the Other side of the Humboldt river a wagOI) train was attacked at noon 

and the entire party killed save one woman who was scalped but afterwards 

lined consciousness. All this happened a few hours before we came along. 

We hurried forward that nighl in Order to join a long train ahead. The nun 
had no supper as we could not stop ami feared to make a lire. By order of 
William, my husband, the men made no noise but drove the train silently 
ahead. They did not even crack the whips as usual over the laggard oxen, 
although we were anxious to get on. Each driver punched his oxen with 
the butt end of the whip. In many directions we could see Indian fires. 
About midnight we reached the big train. It> people were hospitable, gave 
our men food and allowed our cattle to be turned in with theirs, which was 
against the law oi the Overland Trail. The wagon trains never did this 
because of the great difficulty in separating the cattle, hut the big train was 
glad to receive the little train as an aid against a possible Indian attack, and 
the sense *'i common danger was so great that the cattle were quietly separated 
next morning without the usual disorder and bad language. Oh, but I 
liked the Overland Trail. I loved it. It was a fine journey. I hoped it would 
never come to an end." 

But the journey came to an end. in California, and the young couple 
settled on a farm in Yacaville township. Solano county. After that six chil- 
dren were born to them: Josie Eliza, who in 1888 married Moses Hendrichs, 
lakland, Cal.; Frances Lucy, a young writer who handled a pen of graphic 
powers, until her death in 1885: Mary Klizabeth. who married FYank Pellet 
of St. Helena, in 1892; Willis Linn, of Berkeley, Cal.; and Amos Carl, who 
was killed by a fall from his favorite riding horse in 1880. when he was a lad 
of nine years. 

William Jepson. who died in 1903, was a man of the highest integrity, 
simple in his tastes and habits and of marked sobriety and industry. He had 
a strom.' constitution and until the end of his life never knew illness or disease. 
He is survived by his wife. Martha Jepson. whose strength of character and 
devotion to stable principles has won for her many friends. 



JOHN W. HARRIS. 

After an honorable record as a volunteer in the Union army during the 
Civil war and a subsequent experience as a soldier in the regular army, Mr. 
Harris received his discharge at the expiration of the term of enlistment and 
later he came to the west, settling in Solano county, his present place of 
residence. Since 1895 he has owned and occupied a small but valuable 
fruit farm near Winters. The place comprises sixteen and sixty-one one- 
hundredths acres of rich land and the entire tract, with the exception of the 
garden spot and the site of the buildings, is under cultivation to fruit, there 
being two-thirds of the place in peaches and one-third in apricots. During 
the season of 1910 the owner sold seven and one-half tons of dried peaches 
from the farm, and the fruit, being choice in variety, brought the highest 
market prices. 

The first twenty years in the life of John W. Harris were uneventfully 
sed in Wyoming county, Pa., where he was born November 29. 1842. 
At the opening of the Civil war he gave his sympathies firmly to the side 
of the Lnion and March 7. 1862, he enlisted at Philadelphia as a private in 
Company B. Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, commanded by Colonel 
Jones (who later fell in battle) and Captain Metcalf. Numerous engage- 
ments were participated in by the young soldier. Some of them were full 
of peril to the participants and were among the most decisive battles of the 
war. On New Year's day of 1864 he re-enlisted for the remainder of the 



836 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Rebellion and served under General Smith, subsequently fought under Gen- 
eral Butler at Bermuda, and finally enjoyed the distinction of being under 
the command of General Grant. After the surrender of General Lee he 
continued in service in the south and finally received his honorable dis- 
charge in January of 1866, when he returned to his old home in the east. 

After having rested for three months Mr. Harris entered the United 
States regular army for three years and was sent to Little Rock, Ark., thence 
to Fort Smith and later to Baton Rouge, La. In that city, after a service 
as corporal, he was promoted to be sergeant in April of 1869. At the expira- 
tion of the three years he again enlisted, this time for five years, and was 
assigned to the Sixth United States Infantry as sergeant of Company B. 
From Fort Smith he was sent to the unsettled regions to aid in protecting 
the government surveyors. One winter was spent at Fort Larned, Kans. 
For three years he was stationed at Fort Berthold, N. D. The summer of 
1874 was spent at Lake of the Woods as guard of a surveying expedition. 
Returning to Fort Berthold, he was ordered thence to Pennsylvania and 
honorably discharged from the service in November of the same year. 

The marriage of John W. Harris took place at Winters, Cal., in 1877 
and united him with Miss Emma Coppin, who was born at Salt Lake City 
in 1852. Five children were born to them : Samuel C, Irvin, Ernest, Olive 
and Elsie C. Olive married Edward Frank and resides in Pleasants valley. 
Elsie C, Mrs. Victor Tucker, also lives in that valley. Samuel C. enlisted 
in 1902 at Mare Island as a private in the United States marine corps and 
for a time was stationed at Fort Bremerton, Wash. Later on the Philadelohia 
he cruised all along the coast of South America. While at Honolulu in 1909 
he received an honorable discharge and then returned to California, where 
he now resides. Both he and his father are stanch Republicans. The latter 
receives a pension of $12 from the government as a small recognition of 
his faithful services through the Civil war. Formerly he was identified 
actively with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but during recent years 
he has allowed his membership to lapse. His time is given closely to the 
management of his fruit farm and, although he is now past middle age and 
feels the effects of his trying army service, he still works energetically and 
with little rest. 



JOHN SCHLEICHER. 

John Schleicher, a prosperous wine manufacturer of Napa county, was 
born in Prussia, April 3, 1860, and in his native land learned the trade of 
cooper, which he plied for a little while before leaving for the United States. 
He arrived in America August 26, 1879, without funds and with but few 
friends and today stands high in the esteem of the community, having accumu- 
lated money and established himself in the commercial world as a worthy 
and successful business man. His first settlement in America was in Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, where he worked for a short time. Then, going to Leadville, Colo., 
he obtained employment in a smelting works. Coming to California, in 1881, 
he followed his trade in Sacramento for a year, then went to Oregon and 
Washington, eventually returning in 1883 to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked 
at coopering. In 1884 he again came to California and after visiting Sacra- 
mento, Sonoma and San Francisco came to Napa county March 10, that year, 
and accepted a position with the Napa Valley Wine Company near St. Helena. 
Later he took charge of the cooperage department of the Graystone Winery. 

Mr. Schleicher bought his present property in 1893, and concentrated his 
efforts toward the establishing of a winery. Then it was a rough ranch of 
twenty-three acres. He began to clear the land and to plant a vineyard. His 
first vines were destroyed by phylloxera and he reset the land to resistant 




^ 



HISTORY OF SOLANO A\l> NAPA COUNTIES 839 

stock and now lias a fine, productive place, He manufactures dry wine.-*, of 

which he makes about fifty thousand gallons each year. December 31, 1888, 
Mr. Schleicher married Caroline Stel/el. a native of Germany, who has borne 
him the following named children ; Cecelia. Henry, Annie. Lena, l.illie. Louisa 

(deceased), and Marie. Mr. Schleicher's achievement is an example of what 

can he accomplished by perseverance, energy ami close application to an ambi- 
tion once formed, lie has succeeded in a marked degree and is one of the 
men who are bringing Xapa county to the front in horticulture and viticulture. 



MANUEL LUCAS. 

A youth of adventure, hardship and privation was that spent by Manuel 
Lucas, a native of Portugal, born on the Azores in May, 1843, but remaining 
there only during his school days, when he joined a cruising party bound for 
South America. Many were the disasters and shipwrecks seen and partici- 
pated in during the ensuing few years. At one time, while en route for 
Brazil, a leak was discovered in their vessel which necessitated its abandon- 
ment, but fortunately for them they were in signalling distance of a steamer 
which arrived on time to take them all on board. Mr. Lucas' last trip was 
around Cape Horn to Peru, and finally he came to San Francisco in 1865. 

In Marin county Mr. Lucas met and married Miss Isabelle Fritas, 
who had arrived from the Azores a few years previously, and from this 
union four children were born: Joe, Manuel, John and Mary. Joe had one 
daughter by his marriage; Manuel is married and has two children, Edward 
and Nellie; John, who is now deceased, was married and had three children; 
ami Mary is Mrs. Wright of Santa Rosa. 

Shortly after reaching California Mr. Lucas discovered that the life at 
sea had lost its charm, accordingly he followed the occupation of a lumberman 
for -ix years in Marin county, when, in 1871, he took up a claim of one hundred 
and sixty acres in Wildhorse Valley, Xapa county. To this land he kept 
adding more as he was able and today he is the proud possessor of eleven 
hundred and eighty-five acres. Here he has a splendid orchard, a fine vine- 
yard of several acres and the remainder of the land is utilized for dairying 
and general farming. He has forty cows which net him about $30 a year 
per head and six work horses. Altogether the ranch is a marvelous example 
of what may be accomplished by diligence and perseverance, and Mr. Lucas 
may well be proud of the result of his labors. From his home in Napa he 
superintends the ranch, and he also owns ten residences in town which he 
rents. For the past forty years he has been a resident of Napa county, for 
twelve years he has been a school trustee and takes an interest along educa- 
tional and progressive lines in the community. Politically he is a Republican 
and is a faithful member of the Roman Catholic church. 



ALONZO CURTIS CLARK. 

A life worthy of note because of the large measure of success which has 
attended his efforts for advancement is that of Alonzo C. Clark, one of the 
wealthy farmers and stock-raisers of Xapa county, who was born February 
15. 1848. in Wyandotte county. Ohio, a son of Abraham and Electa (Snyder) 
Clark, natives respectively of England and of \"ew York. He lived in the 
Buckeye state only six years, however. Ili^ early educational opportunities 
were so limited that he may be said to have gained most of his goodly store 
of general knowledge in the 9chool of life and experience. In 1854 he was 
taken by his parents to Wisconsin. In 1855 the family moved to Chickasaw 
county. Iowa, and there lived nine years. Not satisfied with the life of the 



840 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

middle west, the elder Clark decided to come to the Pacific coast and in 1864 
the family crossed the plains with a horse team, by way of Fort Laramie 
and Salt Lake, completing the journey over a southern route to Sacramento, 
whence they went directly to Napa valley, where they established a residence. 

The brothers and sisters of Alonzo C. Clark were named as follows : 
Enoch D. (deceased), Alonzo C, Norman, Reuben, Mary (deceased), Amanda 
J., and Alice (deceased). Amanda is the widow of John Anderson and lives 
in Napa. She has seven children. Alice married G. S. McKenzie and left 
three children. Norman married Anna Gijlespi, of Napa, and Reuben married 
Cordelia Stovall, who bore him two children. By a later marriage with Lulu 
Danner, he has four children. 

Having lived in Napa valley for three years, Mr. Clark moved, with 
his family, to Berryessa valley and after a five years' residence there moved 
to Colusa county, where, with his father, he raised grain. Returning event- 
ually to Berryessa valley he has since lived there, devoting his energies to 
farming and stock-raising. He is now leasing about thirteen hundred acres 
of land for grain and stock, and has fifty-five horses and mules and eighty-five 
head of high grade cattle, and raises also corn and hogs. Being up-to-date in 
all his work, he has the latest agricultural implements, including a combined 
harvester. 

Mr. Clark married, at Berryessa, Miss May V. Stafford, born in Cali- 
fornia, in which state her parents were pioneers. Mrs. Clark has borne her 
husband seven children. Ray V. died, aged twenty-six years ; Clifford K. 
lives in Monticello. The others are named respectively, Ora, Mallie, Howard, 
Irma and Russell. 

Politically Mr. Clark is a Democrat and upholds the tenets of that party. 
Religiously, he is connected with the Christian Church. Although very busy 
attending to his own private affairs, he has time and interest to -give to the 
public welfare and is eager in furthering any movement which in his judg- 
ment will tend to the advancement of the community. He has served the 
public as a school trustee for a number of years, and in the same progressive 
spirit has given his children a splendid education. He is one of the oldest 
residents of Berryessa valley, and has farmed there most of the time since 
1866, when only three farmers had broken ground there. 



WILLIAM SPIERS. 

By birth and descent a southerner, whose father owned a plantation of 
four thousand acres upon which, being a lover of thoroughbred stock, he 
maintained a race track, William Spiers, born at Monterey, Owen county, 
Kentucky, August 29, 1853, to a life of affluence and ease, is today numbered 
among the self-made men of the state. Leaving the plantation, with his 
parents, at the age of fourteen, he went with them to a farm in Cass county, 
Missouri, where he remained five years, and at the age of nineteen, lured on 
by the wonderful stories of the Golden State, and its resources and oppor- 
tunities for young men, he left home with practically no means, and arrived 
in California in 1872, locating first in Napa county, where he was employed 
as a wood cutter. Thence he traveled to Pine Flat, Sonoma county, found 
work in the quicksilver mines and while so employed saved $1,040. With his 
earnings he went to Calistoga and engaged in freighting to the Great Western 
Quicksilver mines in Lake county. From that small beginning grew his 
present business, the largest livery and stage enterprise in California. He 
owns one hundred and fifty horses and sixty to seventy vehicles and employs 
twenty to thirty men. His route is from Calistoga (the end of the railroad) 
to the lake and spring resorts of Lake county, through the country aptly 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VXD NAPA COUNTIES 841 

called "the Switzerland of America." He transports from thirteen thousand 
to fourteen thousand people annually over the mountains into these celebrated 
playgrounds, llis average run is about fifty passengers each way daily, in 
1880 he bought out a small stage line and from time to time has secured 
all connecting lines, now controlling a comprehensive system. In connection 
with the stage line, he has a fine auto service and an auto truck which carries 
twenty-five to thirty people and an auto that accommodates ten people. So 
well equipped is he that he is aide to accommodate two hundred people at 
one time. Aside from the livery and stage line, he owns a modern garage', 
built of concrete and cement blocks, sixty Feet front, equipped with an up to 
date machine shop for the repair of automobiles. In the latter enterprise he 
has a partner. Fred Popp. manager of the Calistoga Garage. 

Mr. Spiers was made a Mason in Calistoga Lodge No. 233, F. & A. M., 
and is identified with St. Helena Chapter No. 63. R. A. M., and with Napa 
Commandery No. 34, K. T. He affiliates also with the Napa Lodge No. 832, 
B. P. O. E. His public spirit has impelled him to serve his townsmen for 
fifteen years as town trustee of Calistoga. 

In 1891 Mr. Spiers married Miss Martha J. Simpson, a native of Grove 
City. Pa., whose father. James Simpson, crossed the plains to California in 
1850. remaining here until in 1853. when he went back east. Mrs. Spiers 
cherishes samples of gold taken out of California soil by her father in 1850. 
Later he returned to California by way of Panama. Mrs. Spiers has borne 
her husband three children: James, a graduate of Mount Tamalpais Military 
Academy, now a student at Cogswell Polytechnic Business College at Oak- 
land : Mary, who is being educated at Grove City. Pa.; and Alden, a member 
of his parents' home circle. 

Essentially an active man. Mr. Spiers is happiest when his vigorous mind 
is grasping new plans for commercial advancement or new projects for the 
benefit of the people of his community. A successful business man, a genial 
companion and a public-spirited citizen, he now, in the prime of life, is enjoy- 
ing the confidence which his integrity and his honorable character merit. 



JUDGE MYRON E. BILLINGS. 

Few, if any, citizens of California have made careers more illustrious 
than that of Judge Billings, of Calistoga, Napa county. His has been an 
exceedingly useful and busy life, crowded with work and filled with varied 
experiences. His retirement from the heat and burden of the day enabled 
him to review his past and give to the present generation an inspiration to 
deeds of nobler endeavor in the service of humanity. 

Myron E. Billings was born in Booneville, Oneida county. Xcw York, 
July 8. 1836. Tracing his ancestry back to England, we find that he comes 
of a noble family. He has in his possession the old coat of arms of the English 
Billingses. "When he was eight years old his immediate family moved to 
Boone county, 111. Here he went to the public school and at the age of thir- 
teen years passed an examination permitting him to enter Notre Dame College, 
at South Bend. Ind. There he studied law and civil engineering, graduating 
with honors in both departments. He also mastered the German tongue and 
can, to this day, read and translate German writings and write in the language. 
At the outbreak of the Civil war in 1861, being at the time in Minnesota, he 
enlisted in the First Minnesota regiment, the first regiment t<i volunteer its 
services upon the beginning of hostilities. There being no railroads in those 
days, the quickest mode of transportation for the regiment was by boat down 
the Mississippi river and up the Ohio. At Gettysburg this organization lost 
heavily, eighty-five per cent, of the members of its ten companies being killed 



842 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

or wounded. Mr. Billings was on duty at the capture of Yorktown and fought 
in all engagements in which his regiment participated up to and including 
the battle of Antietam, in which he was wounded as one of the minor con- 
sequences of the explosion of a shell against a rock. Seven members of his 
regiment were blown into unrecognizable fragments. It was only because 
Sergeant Billings Avas a little outside of the shock center that he escaped 
with his life. But from his belt to his feet he was almost literally filled with 
fragments of shell and rock. His company was attached to the First United 
States Sharpshooters. He had just been promoted to be adjutant of the 
Seventh Minnesota regiment, but was prevented from accepting the position 
because of his wounds. After a hospital term, during which many fragments 
of rock and cast-iron were removed from his body, he was honorably dis- 
charged July 12, 1863. Returning to his home he was under physicians' care 
until his recovery was complete. Then he made application to the secretary 
of war for an examination for a commission and appeared before an army 
board presided over by Major General David Hunter, was passed first-class 
and recommended for a commission. He was soon commissioned second 
lieutenant in the One Hundred and Fifteenth regiment United States Veteran 
Volunteers and detailed to the staff of Major General George H. Thomas. His 
next promotion was to a captaincy in the One Hundred and Twentieth regi- 
ment United States Veteran Volunteers, this also by examination. He entered 
Richmond in command of the third Union regiment that went into the city 
after the Confederates had been driven out. It was his regiment that escorted 
President Lincoln through the streets of Richmond to the Spotswood Hotel, 
and took possession of the so-called "Lion's Den," formerly occupied by 
President Davis of the Southern Confederacy. Judge Billings vividly recalls 
seeing President Lincoln walking up the streets of Richmond, leading his son, 
"little Tad," by the hand. At this time the President issued orders promot- 
ing and giving medals of honor to officers for their bravery in the capture of 
Richmond. Mr. Billings was promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel and given 
command of the One Hundred Twentieth Infantry, state of Kentucky, and 
later was transferred to the One Hundred Twenty-fifth United States Veteran 
Volunteers. He was judge advocate under General Joe Holt, who was judge 
advocate general. 

Mr. Billings resigned from the army June, 1865, and returned to Minnesota. 
He was recalled by appointment of President Lincoln, as justice of the United 
States criminal courts district of five counties in the southwest part of Ken- 
tucky. This was during reconstruction times in Kentucky, when the historic 
Ku Klux Klan was active, sometimes in most unpleasant ways. Returning 
to Minnesota Mr. Billings practiced law two years in Owatonna, Steele 
county. Then he accepted employment as civil engineer in the construction 
of the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Gulf Railroad in Kansas, and later in the 
construction of the Chillicothe and Des Moines Railroad in Missouri and Iowa. 
He also served on the Central Railroad of Iowa at Grinnell and on the Bur- 
lington, Cedar Rapids and Northern road at Shell Rock, Iowa. In another 
period of his life he was county surveyor of Bremer county, Iowa, and city 
attorney of Waverly, Iowa. In the latter town he practiced law for twenty- 
two years, afterwards removing to Kalama, Washington, where he practiced 
thirteen years and was for a time city attorney. 

Leaving Washington, Judge Billings came to California, first settling in 
Berkeley, whence he came to Calistoga, Napa county, in 1903. There he has 
since lived. He has been city attorney for two years and has shown otherwise 
that he has not retired fully from active business life at the close of his 
remarkable career. 

By special act of Congress after the Civil war, Judge Billings' brevet rank 
was increased to full rank of lieutenant colonel with pay, and a pension of $30 





V 




N 





history OFSOLANO and NAPA COUNTIES WS 

a month, lie was one oi the few men so honored by tl'e President and by 
Congress, illustrating the value of his service to 'he country. Judge Billings 

has a tine residence in CaJistOgS, built of .stone from Xapa county with walls 
two feet thick, the best constructed house in the COUnty, which contains many 
relics of his illustrious experiences. Among Other things, he has two beautiful 
inlaid wooden tables, made by himself, of elegant design and workmanship. 

January 19, 1856, Judge Billings married Julie C. Churchill, a native of 

Illinois. His second marriage took place in Iowa, where Delia K. Welchcr 
became his wife November 13, 1874. lie has the following named children: 

Elmore M. (Mrs. Clara NL Von Darn), and Mrs. I. mile M. Dickereon. 



JOHN CONWAY. 

One of Yallejo's pioneers, whose qualities of courage and optimism 
have greatly influenced the tenor of development in the community which 
he has so generously supported for the past forty-three years, is Mr. Conway. 
a widely known and respected citizen. Born in County \\ aterford, Ireland. 
February 4. 1831, he immigrated to America in 1840, making the voyage 
on a sailing vessel in one month. From New York City he went immediately 
to Pall River, Mass., where he became a flour packer at the Massasoit Mills. 
resigning his position in 1855 to take passage via the Nicaragua route to 
California. The latter portion of the journey was made in the Curtis, fully 
three hundred of whose passengers perished during the trip from the dreaded 
cholera. Landing in San Francisco, August 1, 1855, Mr. Conway, who had 
miraculously escaped infection, immediately journeyed to Shasta, Cal., where 
he mined until March, 1856. abandoning this later to resume his trade in the 
lUickeye mills at Marysville. Later, he accompanied A. D. Starr, owner 
oi the Buckeye, to Yallejo, where, upon completion of a fine new mill, 
he continued his duties as flour packer under each successive owner, i. e., the 
McXears and now the Sperry Company, and he is still employed, his ability 
being fully recognized by his employers. For sixty-two years Mr. Conway 
has held practically the same position in the mills, always performing his 
duties with precision and ability. 

Mr. Conway was married October 2, 1867, to Miss Mary Osborn. a 
native of Marengo county, Ala., who, at the age of eleven years accompanied 
friends to California, via the Isthmus of Panama in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. 
C iii way. who were blessed with no children of their own, generously took 
into their home a niece and nephew of Mrs. Conway. William Herbert, who 
was at one time a city trustee of Yallejo. is now an electrician in Mare Island 
navy yard. Cora Herbert is now Mrs. McQuaid, of Oakland. 

Mr. and Mrs. Conway are communicants of St. Vincent's Catholic 
church of Vallejo, and as an ardent Democrat he maintains a keen interest 
in political developments. 

MRS. MARY F. CAMPBELL. 

Without detracting in the least from the credit which is given to the 
pioneers of the male persuasion who came to California in the early days and 
put their shoulder to the wheel, it is right and just that the women of that 
period should be given recognition for the work which they accomplished, 
different in kind, may be, but nevertheless equally important to the general 
outcome. One of these pioneer women of early days was Mrs. Mary F. 
Campbell, a late resident of Suisun. 

For generations the family from which Mrs. Campbell sprang had been 

— 'dated with the south, her father. John Morris, having been born and 

reared in Kentucky, but during young manhood he removed to Missouri, 



846 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

and at the time of the birth of his daughter, in July, 1842, he and his wife 
were living in Jackson county. The latter was in maidenhood Miss Martha 
Draper, and was born in Tennessee. The news of the finding of gold in 
California aroused the adventurous and pioneer spirit of the father, and in 
1852 he came to the west alone, leaving his wife and daughter in Missouri, 
whither he subsequently returned, and when he again went to the west in 
1856 his family accompanied him. The daughter was then only fourteen years 
of age, but she nevertheless recalled with vividness many of the experiences 
of the overland journey. Location was made in Solano county, near where 
is now located the town of Suisun, although at that time there was no indi- 
cation of a possible settlement. Later a boat landing was established, the 
name of which became Suisun Island, and subsequently, as the little settle- 
ment grew, the word "Island" was dropped and the town has since been 
known by its present title. 

In the meantime Miss Morris had formed the acquaintance of John Perry 
Campbell, of Suisun (a native of Alabama) and in 1861 their marriage oc- 
curred. For forty-five years they toiled unremittingly in bringing their home 
ranch in the Suisun valley up to a high state of cultivation, and at his death 
in 1906 he left his family well provided for. The ranch comprised seventeen 
hundred acres of rich land, which Mrs. Campbell managed successfully until 
her death, January 28, 1911. She was a woman of strong character, amiable 
and charitable, and it was natural that many friends mourned her death. 

Six children, five sons and one daughter, were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Campbell, but of the number only three of the sons are living. The eldest 
of these is Charles Lee, who was born in 1863 and with his wife and family 
is living on the old family homestead ; George P. was born in 1865 and with 
his family lives on a part of the home ranch ; John Lewis was born July 9, 
1870, and received his education in the public schools and the Stockton Busi- 
ness College, since which time he has carried on farming and now resides 
on his ranch of one hundred and forty acres five miles northwest of Suisun. 
Mrs. Campbell was proud in the possession of five granddaughters, and in 
their midst she spent many happy days. 



S. H. FOUNTAIN. 

Born in Van Buren county, Iowa, January 6, 1849, S. H. Fountain was 
taken at the age of five years to the northeastern part of Missouri, where 
the family bought unimproved land at $2.50 per acre. The father died there 
in 1863 and ten years later the son, who in the meantime had remained with 
his widowed mother, left home for the west, coming to California on the 
railroad which had been completed a few years before. Five months were 
spent in Sacramento and he then came to Solano county, where with the 
exception of four years in Sonoma county he has since resided. At Dixon, 
this county, he married Miss Carrie Ellis, daughter of James and Henrietta 
(Johnson) Ellis, natives of Canton, Mo., but residents of California after 1865, 
having crossed the plains with wagon and mule-team. There are five chil- 
dren in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Fountain, namely: Ellis W., who is a 
graduate civil engineer, now assisting his father; Beryl, attending the Uni- 
versity of California; S. Harold, also attending the University of California; 
Helene, studying music ; Charles Erie. Ellis W. is a leading worker in the 
Masonic lodge at Dixon and also takes a warm interest in politics as a Demo- 
crat, but has never cared for official honors. 

With the savings of his years as a wage-earner Mr. Fountain in 1880 
invested in land in Solano county, buying one hundred and sixty acres and 
later adding to the same. Later he bought another quarter section of land, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 847 

for which he paid $11,000 and on this he raised such large crops of wheat 
that in two years he had the land paid for. Later he bought a third quarter, 
and afterwards another one hundred and sixty acres. At this writing he 

owns three hundred and twenty acres and also cultivates a large tract of 
leased land. For the season of 1911 he had seven hundred and twenty acres 
in barley and eighty acres in wheat. Twenty sacks per acre of barley were 
harvested in 1910, but the usual average is fifteen sacks. Forty acres are 
in alfalfa, from which as many as five crops have been cut in one year, the 
yield being increased by the admirable facilities for irrigation afforded by 
the pumping plant. The home farm has abundant representation in nuts 
and fruit, there being one hundred acres in almonds and twelve acres in 
Bartlett pears of a very superior quality. In 1908 the almond crop amounted 
to seventy-five tons, but during the last two years the yield was fifty tons, 
which may be considered a fair average. In 1910 the yield of pears was 
light, but some seasons the returns have been so large as to represent an 
unusually large interest on the investment. 

One of the chief beauties of the home farm is the convenient and artistic 
residence, which with its twelve large rooms, its well-kept yards and attrac- 
tive surroundings would be a credit to any community. The other buildings 
are well adapted to their intended uses. Twenty-five head of mules and 
colts are kept on the farm, twenty head of work horses, thirty head of cows 
and young cattle, a small number of hogs and one hundred and fifty head 
of thoroughbred Shropshire ewes. From his sheep he derives an annual in- 
come of about $1,000. Only the very best are kept and he now has for sale 
one hundred head of young Shropshire rams, some of which have no superiors 
among the pure bred sheep throughout the entire state. In addition to his 
large force of work horses and mules he owns a gasoline traction engine of 
forty-horse power, which he uses for plowing and other heavy work. 

Politically Mr. Fountain* is a Democrat, and for several years he has 
served as school trustee and has acted as clerk of the board. It has been 
his aim. not only to thoroughly educate his own children, but also to see 
that the other children of the community have all the opportunities they may 
desire or merit. With his family he holds membership in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South at Berkeley, having identified himself with that 
congregation when he made his home in that city for the purpose of educating 
his children. 



QUINTUS C. FLY. 

The Xapa County Infirmary is one of the primary agencies in California 
for the betterment of conditions and the uplift of humanity by the alleviation 
of suffering. This institution represents to Quintus C. Fly the attainment 
of a life work, for he was elected superintendent in 1889 and continued to 
act in this capacity until 1909. when he retired. Into his work he put the 
heart and brain and practical business ingenuity of a man richly endowed 
with a love of his fellows. During his long administration in the infirmary 
he served with remarkable fidelity and was regarded as one of the ablest 
and wisest counselors of state institutional affairs. 

Previous to the assumption of his late responsibility as superintendent 
of the Napa County Infirmary Mr. Fly was connected with the pioneer 
upbuilding of Xapa county, to which his family moved in 1851. He was 
born. in Andrew county, Mo.. November 5. 1841, a son of Boon and Mary Ann 
(Percival) Fly, the former being a carpenter by trade and a farmer during 
the greater portion of his life. The exodus from Missouri in the historic 
1849 included the Fly family, who had spent the previous winter in prepa- 
ration, and in the spring turned their backs upon a home that had been dear 



848 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



to them, but which failed to offer the chances for which its ambitious mem- 
bers longed. In the fall of 1849, at the end of the long ox journey, the 
father worked at his trade in Santa Rosa, Sonoma county, assisting to build 
the first hotel in the place, and otherwise utilizing his skill in housing the 
people and the industries of the rapidly growing community. Removing to 
Napa county in 1851, he purchased a tract of land of Thomas O. Larkin 
and Jacob P. Leese, in the southwestern part of the county and consisting 
of about one thousand acres. Here he devoted his time almost exclusively 
to farming, fruit and stock raising and his industry and farsightedness were 
responsible for the setting out of one of the first and finest orchards in Napa 
county. He was fifty-three years old at the time of his death and was sur- 
vived by his wife until her sixty-fifth year. 

In his well ordered home he reared to maturity three daughters, Alice 
Jane, Camelia A. and Mary B., and six sons, Leonidas A., Quintus C, Robert 
P., Flavius Josephus, Camillus S. (deceased), and Webster, all receiving a 
substantial start in life. Eventually Q. C. Fly with his brothers bought more 
land and added to the original property, making an additional two hundred 
and forty-five acres to devote to general produce and stock. He managed 
the place until it was sold and soon afterward received the appointment of 
the superintendency of the infirmary in 1889. In the meantime the old place 
has been divided into farms, Samuel Randall owning the part on which was 
erected the old homestead. 

During Mr. Fly's incumbency the Napa County Infirmary made won- 
derful strides; the main building was enlarged, fire escapes added for the 
greater safety of inmates, a stone building was erected for the sick and an 
operating room with all modern equipment. It is doubtful if any of those 
who call the place home at this time have ever lived surrounded by more 
spacious grounds or more congenial surroundings, or have been treated with 
greater courtesy or thoughtfulness. The age attained by the patients speaks 
well for the efficient management perfected under the direction of Mr. Fly. 

Mr. Fly is a stanch Republican, and with the exception of the time he 
was a candidate for his position at the infirmary, has never been an office 
seeker. He is fraternally connected with the Red Men and popular among 
the county officials and with the community at large. He married Mrs. Lizzie 
N. (Clark) Packard, who was born near Freeport, Pa., and has one son, 
Boon, who is a photographer and artist of much ability. 



FRANCIS CAMPBELL. 

Quite a unique ranch is that owned by Francis Campbell, near Oakville. 
When only a babe he came with his parents, Duncan and Lexey (McClennan) 
Campbell, from Kincarden, Canada, to settle in California, and after two 
years' sojourn in Oakville, the father took up a government claim of three 
hundred acres, where with a sturdy family of five children to assist him in 
his arduous labors, he set to work improving his ranch, the mother doing 
her part most nobly in the home that was soon erected. This was about 
forty-three years ago and Duncan Campbell has since passed away, leaving 
behind him a record of a useful life. He was very prominent in the up- 
building of the county, as well as a stanch Presbyterian, and was mourned 
not only by his family, but by the community at large. Of his children we 
mention the following: Malcolm is a steamboat captain on the Oakland 
in Alaska, where he has resided since 1887 ; John is engaged in salmon fish- 
ing in the same place ; and Anna is also in Alaska, following the millinery 
and dressmaking trade ; Francis married Lelia W. Savery, who was born 
in New Zealand, and they have three children, Duncan N., Kate R. and 





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HISTORY OF SOL. WO WD \ \r\ COUNTIES 851 

Anna P.J Kite is the wife of Samuel G. I-ouihanlt. and the mother Of one 
son, Chester C. ; and Daniel is deceased. 

Francis Campbell was horn in Kinearden, Canada, January 5, 1866, 
and came when a mere child to the Golden West. Kdncated in the Xapa 
public schools, he has continued to reside on his father's homestead ever 
since settling in Xapa county and is part owner and manager of the ranch. 
Much of the land is devoted to pasture, he having fifty head of cattle and 
three hundred Angora goats, which increase annually seventy-five per cent. 
This is the Angora goat which yields a fine quality of Mohair. Mr. Camp- 
hell also has a fine orchard, besides orange, lemon and fig trees, which beau- 
tify the yard surrounding the residence. Twenty-two springs contribute 
their beauty and usefulness, supplying power for generating electricity for 
his home, as well as running a motor for churning and washing purposes. 
The ranch now comprises about five hundred acres, nestling among the foot- 
hills two miles west ^\ Oakville. 

Although still a young man. Mr. Campbell's power for good has been 
a factor in the community for many years, during which time he has wit- 
nessed and participated in great advancement and his good citizenship is 
apparent. Reared a Presbyterian, he still holds to that creed, and politically 
he is non-partisan, although usually voting the Republican ticket. 



FREDERICK NEUENSCHWANDER. 

Born in Canton Berne. Switzerland, in 1851. Frederick Xeuenschwander 
after completing his schooling learned the trade of cheesemaker, and at the 
age oi twenty-one came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin, 
where he worked at his trade until 1878. In that year he came to California, 
where the opportunities for the advancement of young men were greater 
than in the east. After six months passed in Sacramento he went to Duncan's 
Mills. Sonoma county, and engaged in the manufacture of cheese. Later 
coming to Xapa county, he purchased a ranch on the Sonoma road nine 
miles west of Xapa, and here he engaged in the manufacture of cheese and 
in a dairying business. Always a man of strong will he was successful in 
his work and had built up a good trade when death called him in the year 
1902. His widow immediately assumed the responsibilities of the ranch and 
business and has conducted the same in a manner that is highly creditable, 
having made a splendid financial success of it. The ranch consists of five 
hundred and fourteen acres of good land, of which three hundred acres were 
purchased since the death of her husband. The ranch is devoted largely 
to dairy purposes, and the herd consists mostly of Short-horn Durham 
stock. As high as ninety cows have been milked on the ranch, but at present 
the herd consists of about eighty cows. In addition to the cows there are 
about one hundred and fifty head of sheep, fourteen head of horses and a 
few ho^s. From her husband Mrs. Xeuenschwander learned to manufacture 
cheese, and this is now the principal work of herself and her assistants. In 
winter seventy-five pounds of this marketable commodity is the daily output, 
while in the summer time the output is just doubled. This cheese is manu- 
factured from the fresh milk and made of the full cream and is considered a 
delicacy by epicures. 

The marriage of Mr. Xeuenschwander in 1877 united him with Sarah 
Shindler. a native of Xew ('darns, (ireen county. Wis., where their mar- 
riage occurred. She is a daughter of Casper and Anna (Jenny) Shindler. 
natives of Canton Glarus. Switzerland, and pioneer settlers in Xew Glarus, 
Wis. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Xeuenschwander. four of 
whom are living: Fmelia L. ; Frederick, who married Miss Preat, and has 



852 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

one son, Frederick; Henry and Emma. The two sons assist the mother in 
the care of the ranch and business. Mr. Neuenschwander was a member of 
Napa Lodge, K. of P. He was respected highly for his true worth, for 
his character was above reproach. 



GEORGE SCHLOMER. 

The fruit farm which Mr. Schlomer owns and operates lies in the north- 
ern end of Solano county, two and a quarter miles south of Winters. Pre- 
vious to buying this place he owned other farms at different times and has 
had a varied experience in farming and fruit-growing in this region. De- 
scended from a long line of German ancestors and himself of German birth, 
he was born in November of 1863 and received the advantages offered by his 
native land. From an early age he had been interested in tales concerning 
the new world and in boyhood he resolved to emigrate from Germany, but 
it was not possible for him to leave home until he had attained his majority 
and was therefore free to act for himself. Immediately after crossing the 
ocean to New York he proceeded west as far as Iowa and settled in Mitchell 
county, where he secured employment as a farm laborer. Three years later 
he came to California and settled in Nevada county, where he assisted in 
the development of claims and in assessment work. The year 1889 found 
him in Solano county and since then he has made his home here, the first 
five years being spent at Vacaville. 

A successful experience of fourteen years on a fruit farm of twenty acres 
laid the foundation of Mr. Schlomer's present prosperity. At the time of 
its purchase by him the place was not profitable, but he transformed the 
entire property and made it one of the greatest producers of fruit in the 
whole region. Prunes, plums, apricots and peaches formed his specialties 
and the fruit was so choice in varieties that it found a ready sale in the 
eastern markets at high prices. When he sold the little farm it brought 
$7,250, which at the time was considered a very high price. Later he bought 
fifty-nine acres comprising his present farm, of which fifteen acres are in 
grain and hay, while the balance forms an orchard of varied fruits. About 
one-fourth of the orchard is in apricots, over one-half is in peaches, while the 
balance is in almonds, walnuts and olives. During the season of 1910 the 
almonds, apricots and peaches yielded excellent crops, the walnut crop was 
small and the olives were sold on the trees. 

So closely have the efforts of Mr. Schlomer been concentrated upon 
his fruit interests and the other details connected with his busy life that 
he has had little leisure for participation in public affairs. Politically he is a 
Republican, and fraternally he belongs to the Foresters at Winters. In his 
native land he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church and he still retains 
his association with its work. 



HON. THEODORE A. BELL. 

The distinction of being the youngest member of the United States con- 
gress, also of being the youngest representative to that body ever elected 
from the state of California, rests with Theodore A. Bell, an eminent attorney 
of Napa and San Francisco. Mr. Bell is one of the native born sons of Cali- 
fornia, of which his father, Charles E., was a pioneer of 1859. He was born 
at Vallejo, Solano county, July 25, 1873, and received his education principally 
in the public schools of St. Helena. Naturally ambitiovis, inspired with a 
longing to learn, to accomplish and achieve, he devoted himself diligently to 
his studies, and soon his range of knowledge had extended far beyond the 



HISTORY OF SOL \\o AND NAPA COUNTIES 853 

limits of an ordinary common school education. In order thai he mighl gain 
the necessary means of establishing himself in a professional career, he took 
up the calling of teacher when but eighteen years of age, and successfully 
taught in the district schools of Napa county for two years. Meantime, dur- 
ing vacations and oi evenings, he carried on the study of law, which he so 

thoroughly mastered that on the twenty firsl unniv it^.u \ of his birth he was 
admitted to practice at the har of California. November 2 following he was 
elected district attorney, being the youngest incumbent this office has ever 
had in Napa comity, and he tilled the position with marked ability. At that 
early age he gave evidence of mental powers of a superior order. At the 
expiration of four years he was re elected to the office, which he filled during 
the second term, and then retired to give attention to his duties as congress- 
man, the honor of this election coming to him in 1902. A.S the representative 
of this district he devoted himself to the welfare of his constituents and favored 
all measures for their benefit. In matters not directly affecting California, but 
nevertheless vitally important to national prosperity, he has proved himself 
to be a wise statesman, keen thinker and logical reasoner, and his thorough 
mastery of all subjects of national importance makes his service as a states- 
man particularly valuable. Me was twice honored with the Democratic nomi- 
nation for governor of his native state. 

By his marriage to Annie Midler, who was born in Xapa, a daughter of 
August Muller. deceased. Theodore A. Bell has one child. Maurine. The fra- 
ternal associations of Mr. Bel! are varied, including membership in the P.enevo- 
lent and Protective Order of Elks, United Ancient Order of Druids. Indepen- 
dent Order of Foresters, Eagles, Native Sons of the Golden West. Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows, and the blue lodge, chapter and commandery 
of the Masonic fraternity. He was the senior member of the law firm of 
Bell, York & Bell, until 1907. when he withdrew from the firm, but after 
his election to congress gave over much of the oversight of his practice to 
his partners. Notwithstanding the fact that he is younger than most men 
who enter the public service, few are better posted than he in matters per- 
taining to the history and the welfare of the nation and few have a more 
ready command of language in their public addresses. It may be further 
said that no man prominent in public affairs is more ambitious than he 
to represent his constituents faithfully and well. 



ANTHOXY KILKENNY. 

A native of Ireland, Anthony Kilkenny was born in County Mayo in 1840, 
of parents who gave to him an education in those essential things of life in 
which work, industry and thrift largely enter. After his schooling was com- 
pleted he worked in his native land until he was twenty-five years old, and 
in the meantime he determined to come to the United States. The port of 
Philadelphia was reached after a tempestuous voyage of several weeks. He 
went almost immediately to New Jersey, and for three years lived there, learn- 
ing much of the ways and manners of the people with whom he had come to 
live. At the end of three years he came to California on a sailing vessel by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama. From San Francisco he journeyed to James- 
town and engaged in mining for a time and then in viticulture and horticulture. 
Later he went to the San Joaquin Valley and obtained work with a threshing 
machine outfit. Here for two years land was leased and barley raised, ami 
he also engaged in the transfer of sacks of copper from freight teams to ship- 
ping for a portion of the time. 

In 1875 Mr. Kilkenny came to Solano county and bought one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, paying $4,100 for it. This quarter section was added 
to in 1881, 1883 and 1890, until a full section was owned, and today this is 



854 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

operated with success, ten acres being planted to vineyard, the balance being 
used for growing grain and hay and as pasture land for horses, sheep and hogs. 
Politically Mr. Kilkenny gave his support to the Democratic party and was 
zealously devoted to the cause of the people. 

Mr. Kilkenny was married to Catherine Lydon, a native of Ireland, who 
came to this country when but eighteen years of age, and to this union there 
were born nine children, all sons, of whom eight are now living. They are 
John L., Thomas A., James J., Lucas E., Anthony F., Tobias D., Herbert L. 
and Henry M. Martin H. is deceased. Lucas, a graduate of the University 
of California, class '98, lives in Salinas, where he is superintendent of schools 
and principal of the high school ; Tobias, also a graduate of the University of 
California, is a civil engineer; Anthony has for six years been in the service 
of the United States in the capacity of mail clerk between San Francisco 
and Ogden, Utah. The rest of the sons follow agriculture and attend to the 
home ranch. Anthony Kilkenny was a member of the Roman Catholic Church 
and his widow and her eight sons are communicants of the same church. He 
passed away in 1886, leaving his family to mourn the loss of a loving husband 
and a kind father. 

THOMAS A. KILKENNY. 

Though more than a quarter of a century has passed since the death of 
Anthony Kilkenny the good that he accomplished as a pioneer settler in the 
new and uncultivated west is still remembered by those who knew him, and 
of the large family of sons whom he trained to lives of usefulness all are an 
honor to the name and the state which they call home. An account of the 
life and accomplishments of this worthy pioneer may be found in the preced- 
ing sketch. 

Of the nine sons born to Anthony and Catherine (Lydon) Kilkenny, 
Thomas A. was the second in order of birth and was born in San Joaquin 
county, Cal., April 7, 1872. With the other children he was given the advan- 
tages of a high school education. After spending about a year and a half in 
Oregon in business, he gave his attention to work on the ranch and has fol- 
lowed this line of endeavor ever since. He now has rented nineteen hundred 
acres not far from Birds Landing which is well improved and bringing the 
owner a good income for time and labor expended. 

Of a genial, companionable nature, Mr. Kilkenny is well liked by those 
who are privileged to know him. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic 
Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. 



CHARLES JOY. 

In Morgan county, Ohio, Charles Joy was born January 15, 1853. He 
was brought up in Ohio, and when he was fifteen years old moved with his 
parents to Savannah, Andrew county, Mo. After a stay of five years 
there they removed to Republic county, Kas. Thence, after three years, Mr. 
Joy went to Saguache county, Colo., and from there he moved to Leadville, 
Colo., and engaged in freighting. In 1883 he located in Rio Vista, Cal., where 
he began ranching in the Montezuma Hills, and there he has operated suc- 
cessfully to this day. 

Mr Joy was married at Rio Vista to Anna Francis, a native of Yolo 
county. Four sons were born to them, Francis, Clarence A., Charles P. and 
Melvin P. Mrs. Joy's father, Nicholas Francis, was born in France in 1830. 

Samuel Joy, Mr. Joy's father, died in Colorado at the age of eighty-nine 
years. He married Mary Boggs, a native of Pennsylvania, and eight children 
were born to them: James I., of Wallowa, Ore; Charles, the subject of 




wfacCmsfcife*. 




r c 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 857 

this notice; Warren, <>t' Colorado; Sarah (Mrs. V Shaw of Idaho) ; Julia E. 
(Mrs. Robert Monteith «>!' Colorado); Emma (Mrs. Clark); lugusta, and 
Frank (deceased). 

After raising grain in the Montezuma Mills until 1901 Mr. Joy purchased 
a ranch of two hundred and forty aires two and a half miles south of Dixon. 
Later he DOUght three hundred and twenty acres SIX miles SOUtheasI of Dixon 
and now he owns five hundred and sixty aeres devoted to grain and stock 
raising. He does his plowing and harvesting with a forty horsepower Inter- 
nationa] gasoline traction engine, with which he can turn eighteen to twenty 
acres a day. His combined harvester, a twenty foot cut machine, harvests 
fifty acres a day. Politically Mr. Joy i> a Republican. As a man he has always 
followed the teaching ^\ the golden rule and exemplified it in his daily life. 
The progress that he has made since he came to California i< commensurate 
with the industry and perseverance that he has shown. 



FREDERICK KOEPP. 

It is not necessary for one to live for fifty years in Napa county before 
he can enjoy the measure of prosperity that this county affords, or to he 
a native of the state to properly appreciate the advantages of the salubrious 
climate of this "garden of the west." These facts are borne out in the case 
of Frederick Koepp, who has not been a resident of California for more than 
ten years, and yet he is a successful horticulturist and a man who thinks 
that the climate and natural resources of this county are unexcelled. 

Mr. Koepp was horn near l'.erlin. Prussia. Cermany, in 1859, and in his 
home land he received his primary education and instruction in general 
farming. In addition to doing agricultural work in Germany he also learned 
the brewer's trade, in which he became proficient. Leaving Germany he 
came to America in 1883 and settled in Dunn county, Wis., farmed and 
conducted a dairying business for seventeen years. In 1900 he left Wis- 
consin and came west to Salem, Ore., where he remained one year, coming 
to Xapa valley. Xapa county, Cal., in 1901. Here he bought a fruit ranch 
of fifty acres on the Dry Creek road, four miles northwest of Napa, and after 
operating this for some time he sold it. The ranch Mr. Koepp now owns 
and operates, five miles from Napa, is also on the Dry Creek road and com- 
prises one hundred and eighteen acres of good fruit and timber land. He 
has sixteen acres of bearing prunes, and from this part of his property he 
has sold as high as thirty-six tons of dried fruit. There are one hundred 
and twenty redwood trees on the timber land. Mr. Koepp also raises some 
ck, making a specialty of fine draught horses. 

The marriage of Mr. Koepp occurred in Menomonie county, Wis., in 
1884, when he was united with Minnie Reberche, a native of Germany. 
They have four children: William, who owns a fine orange grove in Tulare 
county: Pertha. wife of R. Stewart; Louis; and Laura, wife of C. Stewart. 
Mr. and Mrs. Koepp are well respected citizens of Napa county, and during 
their short residence here have made many friends, who rejoice in their 
prosperity. 



CHARLES MILTON COOPER. 

A native of the state, Charles M. Cooper was horn near Woodland, Yolo 
county, December 27, 1862, a son of Humphrey J. Cooper, who crossed the 
plains in 1849. On this trip the father experienced many hardships, for the 
marauding bands of Indians who infested the overland trail ran off with his 
stock, killed his oxen and plundered the wagons of the train of which he 

39 



858 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

was captain. Because of this attack the ox-team train was much broken up, 
much of the outfit having to be abandoned and, collecting what animals 
they could, they came on their way to Sacramento with only one wagon, after 
having been five months on the trip. The captain escaped unhurt and im- 
mediately filed a claim against the government for $10,000 for loss of prop- 
erty and stock, but he received judgment for only $1,500. 

Charles M. Cooper spent the first twenty-one years of his life in the 
home of his parents in Yolo and Lake counties, the family residing in the 
latter county for about fourteen years. Although opportunities for educa- 
tion were meager, the young man received a valuable training in practical 
farm life from his father and has a tender memory of the loving counsel and 
the guidance received from his mother in the home. At present Mr. Cooper 
is the owner of seventy acres of land three miles southwest of Winters, 
which he has improved and set in fruit trees and vines. In addition to this 
he has leased twenty-two acres for the purpose of growing beans. The land 
that is not used for fruit culture is in alfalfa and hay and on the ranch the 
owner has nine head of horses and twenty hogs. 

In Solano county Mr. Cooper married Miss Mollie Wolfskill. a descendant 
of an honorable family of noted pioneers. To this marriage six children were 
born: Herbert M., Chester W., Edwin, Elwood, Florence and Lillian M. 
The latter has graduated from high school, while Herbert and Chester are 
at present attending high school in Winters. 

Politically Mr. Cooper is an ardent advocate of Prohibition principles, 
giving this party his unqualified support. Religiously he is a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church. 



WILLIAM B. COOPER. 

An identification with the material development of the west, that began 
during the year 1849 and has continued to the present time, furnishes the 
foundation of the success achieved by two generations of the Cooper family 
and gives them ample reason for maintaining a high opinion concerning the 
possibilities of the west. The original representative in California and the 
honored pioneer of 1849 was Humphrey Jackson Cooper, a man of sterling 
worth, possessing the dauntless courage and quiet endurance necessary to 
existence upon the frontier. The trip across the plains tested both his cour- 
age and his endurance. It was his task, in the division of the work among 
the emigrants, to drive a flock of sheep from the east. While engaged at 
this work the Indians shot at him and he had a very narrow escape. His 
cousin was less fortunate, for the savages shot him with bow and arrows, 
inflicting a mortal wound. When the unfortunate victim of their malice had 
passed away his companions buried him and started on, but the Indians 
dug up the body for the blankets. Again the emigrants made a grave and 
interred the remains, but again the Indians brought the body to the surface 
of the ground and robbed it of the blanket used for a shroud. A third inter- 
ment was made by the emigrants and on this occasion the body was allowed 
to lie undisturbed. 

Various activities, incident to the development of a new country engaged 
the attention of Humphrey Jackson Cooper after his arrival in California. 
For many years he cultivated a farm in Yolo county near Woodland and 
there occurred the birth of his son, William B., March 10, 1865. There the 
boy attended the public schools and there he was instructed in the details 
of ranching. Upon starting out for himself when about twenty-one years 
of age he went to Texas and secured work in the cattle country near the 
southwestern border of the state. For six years he remained there, but 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 859 

deciding the region to be far interior to California he returned to the west. 
Since then he has lived either in Yolo or in Solano county. His marriage 
at Winters united him with Miss Eunice Luella Hemenway. Two children 

bless the union. William B., Jr.. ami Persis A., both oi whom are now sin 
dents in the Olive school near the home ranch. 

After having worked as Foreman on a fruit ranch and thus gained con- 
siderable experience in the fruit industry, eighteen years ago William B. 
Cooper bought twenty -six acres of land in Solano county near the village 
oi Winters. Under his capable management the property has been brought 
to a high state oi development. A vineyard covers eight acres and the 
balance of the land is in peaches and apricots, both being young orchards 
just ready to come into bearing. The first crop oi apricots was harvested 
in 1910 and brought excellent returns. During that same season twenty-five 
hundred crates oi grapes were shipped from the farm. In addition to his 
vineyard and orchard Mr. Cooper has a small tract of land for his stock, 
consisting of a few head of horses, cattle and hogs. As the years pass by 
he is more and more pleased with the outlook in Solano county. His farm 
is paying large dividends on the original investment. The soil is rich, the 
climate pleasant, the schools excellent, and in the Presbyterian Church at 
Winters he and his wife have a congenial church home. Politically he 
always votes with the Democratic party, while in fraternal relations he is 
connected with the Winters Camp. Woodmen of the World. 



CHARLES E. HALL. 

A native of the state, Charles E. Hall was born January 20. 1854. in 
Suisun valley. Solano county, the son of Clark W. and Mary (Taylor) Hall. 
The father, a native of Virginia, died in Yacaville in 1858. and the mother 
died in Oregon in 1876. When their son was two years old the parents 
removed to Yacaville, in so doing- looking forward to the time when he 
would need good school facilities, and he was educated in the public schools 
of this place. Early in life he turned his attention to ranching and as a 
stepping stone to greater things he worked on a ranch and learned the rudi- 
ments of successful farming, assisting in the raising of grain, hay. etc. These 
products had to be drawn to the nearest shipping point and sent to market 
in San Francisco. Since 1882 Mr. Hall has been engaged in horticulture. 
In 18' >2 he purchased his first land, consisting of ten and a half acres now 
in small fruits. 

In 1877 Mr. Hall married Miss N'ina A. Rippey. a native of Missouri, 
born March 1, 1853. and brought to California when but a small child. Two 
children were born to this union as follows: Mary B., the wife of V. A. 
RadclifT. of Vacaville; and Clark P.. who married Marie Colusa Brown, a 
native daughter, residing in Oakland. Mr. Hall belongs to the Eagles and 
the Odd Fellows. 



W. T. TROXFL. 

One of the pioneers of the '50s. a man known and honored for his ster- 
ling integrity and high principle- of honor, the name of W. T. Troxel has 
been a synonym of the qualities that formed the foundation of California's 
gress. Born in Indiana. April 26. 1833. he was a son of worthy pioneer 
parents who could <^ive their children little of educational advantages and 
of worldly goods, but gave them instead a liberal endowment of robust 
health, excellent powers of endurance and high moral training. With these 
a- his sole capital the young man left home at the age of twenty years and 



860 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

from that time onward he made his own way in the world. Illinois was his 
first stopping place, his location being forty miles from Chicago, where he 
operated a mill on the Desplaines river. Early in 1855 he joined a delega- 
tion of emigrants for California, divided among forty wagons and having 
in charge three hundred head of cattle (mainly cows), under command of 
Captain Zumwalt of Illinois. Sufficient head of oxen were taken to enable 
the company to drive steadily without delays and hence they had the good 
fortune to reach their destination in four months from the time of starting. 
The journey was made up the Platte river to Fort Kearney and thence across 
the desert and through the sink of the Humboldt. 

On the arrival in the west the cattle were sold and the company dispersed. 
Mr. Troxel embarked in the teaming business among the mining camps, 
using two horses for short -hauls, and more for the long hauls. After his 
marriage at Dixon and his acquisition of a home in Solano county, he still 
continued in the teaming business out from Sacramento and it was not until 
the completion of the railroad that he finally abandoned freighting for the 
more quiet pursuits of farming. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Eliza Johnson, was born in England and accompanied her parents to Cali- 
fornia at an early age, settling in Solano county. Eight children were born 
of her marriage, namely: George, Frank, Albert, Lloyd, Cecil, Nellie, Del- 
bert and Cora. George is a resident of Dixon. Frank is a farmer in Glenn 
county. Albert is a farmer near Winters. Lloyd and Cecil assist their father. 
Delbert resides at San Jose. Nellie is Mrs. E. C. Scull, residing near Winters. 
Cora married Frederick Ichtertz, and they reside near Winters. After farm- 
ing for many years in Glenn county Mr. Troxel returned to Solano county 
in 1904 and now owns seventy-six acres about four miles from Winters, 
where he is engaged in raising vegetables. The men of the Troxel family 
vote for Republican candidates in national elections, but in local elections 
have always voted for the best man, irrespective of party. 



M. M. CARTER. 

For half a century Mr. Carter has been actively connected with the prog- 
ress of Calistoga and vicinity, and during this period has done much himself 
to hasten its development. He is known far and near, especially among those 
who are interested in viticulture. A self-made man, he has risen by his own 
intrinsic worth and ability, and enjoys the esteem of all who are acquainted 
with him. 

The birth of Mr. Carter occurred in Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1830, and 
he received his education in the common schools. So well did he advance 
with his studies that at the age of eighteen years he commenced to teach 
school. When twenty-four years of age he removed from his home state 
and went to Wisconsin, remaining in that part of the country for several 
years. In 1859 he came west to California and settled in Placerville, where 
he mined for one year. Not liking the life of a miner and being suited by 
natural qualifications to the life of an agriculturist, he came to Solano county 
and settling near Vallejo, farmed for fourteen years. He then came to his 
present ranch, part of which is in Napa county and part in Sonoma county, 
located on the dividing line at Calistoga. 

Mr. Carter's ranch consists of two hundred and sixty acres of good land, 
devoted to various purposes. Besides twenty acres in vineyard, some of the 
land is planted in fruits of various kinds. When he first acquired title to 
the holding the place was in a very rough condition and he had to set to 
work and clear it, after which he planted his vines and fruit trees. The 
locality of the ranch is especially good, inasmuch as frosts are practically 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 863 

unknown. Mr. Carter states that he has not lost fifty pounds of grapes from 
frost in thirty years. At one time as much as one hundred and five tons oi 
grapes have been taken from eighteen acres of vineyard, while the average 
crop will amount to about five and one half ions to the aere. 

In 1874 Mr. Carter was married to Miss Eliza Cripps, a native of Canada, 
and four children were born to the union. \ iolet, Jennie. Ira S. and Irene M. 
Mr. and Mrs. Carter are well known for the interest they lake in matters 
pertaining to local welfare. For more than fifty years Mr. tarter has been 
a member oi the Masonic order. Mrs. Carter has been a tine helpmeet to 
her husband and has nobly shared in his struggles to accumulate a compe- 
tency and now she shares in his prosperity. 



BENJAMIN F. MUSGRAVE. 

One of the largest and most successful grain raisers in Xapa county 
is B. F. Musgrave, who has a large ranch of rolling country that is well 
adapted to this purpose, and by a judicious handling of his land has been 
able to secure large yields of high grade grain. 

Mr. Musgrave was born near Greensburg, Knox county, Mo.. July 17, 
1864. Educated in the schools of his birthplace, he continued on the home 
farm after his school days were over and thus, under his father's training, 
acquired a knowledge of farming that was invaluable to him in after years. 
In 18S ( > he came to California, arriving here without friends. About a week- 
after coming to Xapa he saw a man drive into town an eight-mule team 
and the circumstance suggested an idea to the young man. He resolved to 
possess a similar outfit, and thereafter every effort was directed with that 
end in view. In about four years he had saved enough to buy the outfit and 
start in grain raising, and today he owns eleven hundred acres of land 
and has fifty head of mules and horses, thus showing what can be done by 
energy and close application, backed by a resolve to succeed. He first 
worked for wages on a farm near St. Helena, Napa county, after which he 
carried on a large ranch of six hundred acres, known as the Watson ranch, 
at Napa Junction, continuing there for two years, when he moved to his 
present location in the same county. He now farms two large grain ranches, 
one consisting of three hundred and fifty acres, located on Carneros creek, 
and the other is the Finnell ranch at Yountville, consisting of seven hundred 
and fifty acres. These places are now rented. Last year the owner raised 
on this land nine thousand sacks of wheat, oats and barley. Wheat will 
run about one and one-half tons to the acre, and corn about one and one-half 
tons. Last year the barley yield was estimated at fifteen sacks to the acre, 
a total of four thousand sacks harvested. To operate the ranches he uses 
thirty-six head of mules and fourteen head of horses. 

In 1895 Mr. Musgrave was united in marriage with Miss Julia Whit- 
church, a native of California, whose father was an honored pioneer of 
Siskiyou county. There are two children. Ella and Sadie. Mr. Musgrave 
is a member of Napa Lodge of Foresters and is well known in the social 
circles of this fraternal organization. He and his estimable wife have many 
friends in the community in which they live, who prophesy that they will 
continue to prosper, because of the untiring industry with which they have 
attained their success. 



PETER DITO. 

Born in Italy in 1848, at the age of twenty-four years Mr. Dito came 
t" the United States, landing in New York. Eleven months afterward he 
came to California, in 1874, to seek his fortune in a country with a climate 
like unto his own native land. Arriving in San Francisco he had an oppor- 



864 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



tunity to go to work in the mines of Virginia City, Nevada, and thither he. 
went, but as he found the work rather strenuous he returned to San Fran- 
cisco and later went to the San Joaquin valley. After wanderings including 
Sonoma county, Los Angeles, Stockton and San Francisco, he came to So- 
lano county in 1884 and here he decided to settle down. He bought land 
here and has been a resident of the county ever since. 

Mr. Dito was married in 1881 to Miss Agnes Filomeo, a native of Italy. 
Of the thirteen children born to them, ten are living: Antonio, born 1884; 
Attellia, 1888; Rosie, 1890; Angelina I., 1892; John, 1894; Matilda, 1896; 
Vinnie, 1898; Elizabeth, 1901; Frank, 1903, and Josephine, 1909. 

Mr. Dito has a fine ranch of seventy-four acres six miles north of Vaca- 
ville, set to fruits of all kinds ; prunes, grapes, peaches and apricots. He 
has also a grain ranch of two hundred and eight acres one half mile away, 
that yields a splendid income each year. He is a man that has risen in the 
world because he has applied sagacious judgment with unremitting toil and 
now lives in the enjoyment of his competency. 



GEORGE P. SKOOG. 

Sweden has contributed generously to the citizenship of the United States 
and of the number who have come to California and made a notable success 
of their lives, mention belongs to George P. Skoog, one of the prominent 
contractors and builders of the upper Napa valley. Born in Hoganas, Skaane, 
Sweden, November 16, 1852, he is the son of J. P. Skoog, who gave twenty- 
seven of the best years of his life to maintaining peace and order in his 
native country, being a member of the army for that length of time, after 
which he settled down to private life at Hoganas, which was his home through- 
out the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1862. By trade he was 
a contractor and builder, following this continuously after his retirement from 
the army. His wife, formerly Elna Avidson, survived him ten years, passing 
away in 1872. 

Six children originally comprised the parental family, and of the number 
George P. Skoog was the fourth in order of birth. He was educated in the 
schools of Hoganas, but his schooling did not cover many years, as he was 
ambitious and anxious to be identified with the world of business. He was 
a mere boy when he took a position as office boy in the coal mines in his 
native country, and from this he advanced until he worked in the mines in 
a larger capacity. Mining, however, proved but a stepping stone to some- 
thing more congenial to his tastes, and as soon as he was able to make suitable 
arrangements he began his apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade. Un- 
doubtedly he inherited a taste for this calling from his father, who was an 
expert in his line and constructed many substantial buildings in Hoganas 
and the country round about. It was with his knowledge of the trade which 
he had just mastered that George P. Skoog set forth from his native land in 
1870, satisfied that on this side of the Atlantic the same good fortune awaited 
him that had fallen to the lot of other young and ambitious immigrants of 
whom he had heard. In Boston, Mass., where the ocean vessel on which 
he had made the voyage landed, he succeeded in finding work at his trade, 
and altogether he continued there for seven years, or until 1877, this year 
marking his advent in California. Debarking in San Francisco, he remained 
in that metropolis for about a year, during this time being occupied with 
work at his trade, when he heard of an opportunity for work in Lake county, 
and thither he went, his first work there being the erection of glass con- 
densers for the Western Mining Company. On the completion of this con- 
tract he went to the Phoenix mine, or TE.tna, now known as ^Etna Springs, 
and as the company had just organized he was given the contract for the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> XAPA COCXTIFS 865 

necessary buildings for the camp. He continued there until the mine closed 
down in L879, when he came to St. Helena and has since made liis home in 
this city. Prom the first he has Found all the work in his line that he has 
been able to handle, and he has every reason to be grateful that he cast his 
lot in this thriving and progressive community, llis first work in St. Helena 
was on the ECrug wine cellar, and in fact he continued there until he began 
taking contracts on his own account, in 1886, and in the years that have 
intervened he has built up a thriving and remunerative business. No better 
testimony t<> his good workmanship could be given than in saying that many 
i^i the finest residences in St. Helena and vicinity have been erected under 

his immediate supervision, among the number being the Beringer, Parrott 
and Thomann residences. 

Mr. Skoog's home is presided over by his wife, formerly Miss Ragnhild 
Midler, to whom he was married February 10. 1°00. She. too, is a native of 
the Scandinavian peninsula, her birth occurring in Christiania, Norway. Two 
sons have been horn of this marriage, Ralph Arvidson and Einar L. During 
the gold excitement in Alaska in 1898 Mr. Skoog went to that northern coun- 
try and was interested in mining for nearly two years, after which he returned 
to St. Helena and resumed his building interests. Fraternally he is a member 
of the Odd Fellows order, being past grand of his lodge, and he has also 
been representative to the grand lodge on two occasions. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Skoog are members oi the Rebekahs, Mrs. Skoog being noble grand of the 
local lodge. 



ABRAHAM W. XORTOX. 

Herkimer county. X. Y., was Mr. Xorton's birthplace, and May 7. 1827, 
the date of his birth. When he was two years old his parents moved to 
Oswego county, where he resided until he was eighteen years old. having 
the educational advantages of the common school. At eighteen he went to 
Syracuse. X. Y.. and began an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's and ma- 
chinist's trades and at these trades he worked six years. January 5, 1852, 
he sailed from Xew York on the steamer Permelia for California via Panama, 
at the latter place boarding the steamer North America. Two days later 
the steamer was wrecked, and from Valparaiso he went to Acapulco by land 
and there embarked on an old bark which took eighty of the wrecked pas- 
sengers to San Francisco, arriving May 1 that year, after a stormy passage 
of four months. Mr. Norton immediately came to Napa, where for four 
months he worked on the farm of his brother, Martin Norton. Then he fol- 
lowed blacksmithing four months for John Guthrie, afterwards purchasing 
the shop owned by John Robinson and doing business for himself until 1870, 
when he retired from business till 1872. Then he bought an interest in 
the firm of B. F. Sawyer & Co.. now the Sawyer Tanning Company, and 
at the time of his death was one of the active managers of that institution, 
the San Francisco branch of which, the Norton Tanning Company, was named 
for him. It was largely through his efforts that the concern was built up 
to its successful standing during his lifetime, and he was long known as 
its head. 

Mr. Norton was prominently connected with the founding and building 
up of Napa College, and nowhere perhaps was he more sadly missed than 
in the councils and aggressive movements for the advancement of the insti- 
tution of which he was a trustee for more than twenty years. He was one 
of six men f Abraham W. Norton. Chancellor Hartson, Henry Fowler, George 
Fellows. Nathan Coombs and Mr. Gibbs) of whom the California Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church bought the property, each of the above 
named grantors donating $500 toward the purchase price. From the begin- 



866 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

ning Mr. Norton was a liberal patron of the school. Through cloud and sun- 
shine he was its constant friend and generous helper; always the same calm, 
conservative, yet aggressive factor in its management. The college was com- 
bined with the college at San Jose after his death and removed to that city. 
In Napa City no important enterprise was inaugurated and completed that did 
not bear the impress of his practical mind and generous heart. 

In 1867 Mr. Norton was converted under the ministry of Rev. W. James 
Maclay, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Napa, and admitted into 
full church membership September 30 of that year. From that time until 
his death the church of his choice received a large share of his thought, his 
time, his money and his influence. He was a member of the Masonic order. 
The example of a worthy patriot, an enterprising citizen and a noble Christian 
he left for our emulation. 

Mr. Norton married Miss Mary E. Johnson, October 28, 1855. She was 
born in Genesee county, N. Y., May 1, 1831, and died in Napa, Cal., February 
6, 1875. To them were born five children : Ida M., Mrs. J. D. Jamison, of 
Alameda; Homer F., a resident of Seattle; Harriet L., Mrs. N. B. Frisbie, of 
Redding; Grade A., widow of W. R. Newman, of Alameda; and William 
H. Norton, of Seattle. Mr. Norton married Mrs. Frances (Morton) Harring- 
ton, a native of Owasso, Mich., May 30, 1876, and she bore him one child, 
Burt M., January 26, 1878, now engaged in business in Napa. Since the 
death of Mr. Norton his widow has lived at the homestead in Napa and has 
continued the business interests in which he was interested. He was pre- 
eminently a man of affairs, and few men, having fairly examined a business 
proposition, could more accurately forecast results than he. Doubtless this 
characteristic was a principal element in the interest he manifested in edu- 
cation. He deliberately calculated upon large returns to the individual, to 
the commonwealth and to the church, from judicious investments in educa- 
tional facilities. He had a business man's confidence in the uplift which 
Christian scholarship may give to young men and young women and to society 
at large. 



GEORGE TITEL. 

The Titel patronymic denotes the Teutonic origin, but the present rep- 
resentatives of the family are eminently loyal to the institutions of this coun- 
try. George Titel was born in Koenigsburg, Germany, in 1857, and was 
educated in his native land, going through high school. At the age of 
eighteen he entered the army and for a term of six years was intimately 
associated with men whose lives were governed by discipline and ruled by 
their superiors. For three years he filled the position of paymaster in the 
army with the rank of lieutenant. At the close of his term of service, he 
entered business in Berlin and remained there for some time. Not until 
he was thirty-six years old did he come to the United States, at that time 
locating in San Francisco, where for four years he conducted a successful 
livery business. Tiring of city life he then came to Solano county and located 
on the ranch of twenty-eight acres he now owns. At the time of his occu- 
pancy the ranch was bare, but he has improved the place by his own un- 
tiring efforts, setting out an orchard of all kinds of fruits, and today it is 
one of the most thrifty places around Vacaville. 

In 1884 Mr. Titel was married in Berlin, Germany, to Miss Hedvig 
Schiefer, a native of Brieg, Germany, and one child, Elsie, was born in Berlin. 
She is now the wife of Cesar Pardi, a native of Italy and a member of the 
firm of Atkinson & Pardi, the leading butchers in Vacaville. They have 
two sons, Walter and George. Mr. Titel has never held any public office, 
but has devoted all of his time to the development of his ranch. This is 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 8o<» 

located half way between Vacaville and Suisun, and in connection with it 
he also conducts a road house, llis ranch is a veritable garden and stands 
as a monument to the industry and persistence of the owner. It was one 
large pasture when he bought it. but now he lias it planted in all kinds of 

fruit trees, both for home consumption and lor shipping purposes. In addi- 
tion to this, he also raises some good horses tor the market, the laud being 
located in an ideal position for all kinds ><i stock raising and agricultural 
pursuits. It lies near the famous Tolenas Springs, known all over the world 
for their curative properties. 



ALLEN CHARLES MILLER. 

The twilight of life's busy day. with its accompanying lessening of 
physical and mental activities, affords to Mr. Miller the leisure in which to 
reflect over the past and to review his own honorable association with the 
upbuilding oi the west, particularly oi his own immediate neighborhood. 
Any feeling of pride with which he might study his own past is, however. 
lost in his devotion to the welfare oi the country and the loyal spirit evinced 
toward his own community. The family of which he is a member came to 
America in a very early day and became identified with the development 
of the east. Pennsylvania having been the home of many of the name. In 
his possession is a genealogical record giving the history of his great-grand- 
parents and dating back to 1710. besides a record of the life of a great-great- 
grandfather, who was born in 1630. When General Lafayette returned in 
1S21 to this country to visit the scenes familiar to him during the period of 
his illustrious service in the Revolutionary war. on his way from Philadel- 
phia to Harrisburg he was entertained at the home of one of the ancestors 
and enjoyed a repast of turkey served on a pewter dish. This same dish 
may now be seen among the prized possessions of Mr. Miller, who also 
has books published in 1759. handed down by his grandparents. In addition 
he cherishes with care a copy of the Adams Sentinel, published in 1828. and a 
copy of a newspaper printed at Lancaster, Pa., and bearing date of October 
1. 1830. twenty-nine days before he was born in that same city. 

Dr. Archibald Miller, a descendant of Scotch ancestors, was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1800. He was a merchant by occupation. He married 
Father H. Martin, who was born in Mt. Joy, Lancaster county, Pa., in 1810. 
Eight children were born of this marriage, of whom Allen C. was the eldest. 
Hettie A. became the wife of John B. Lemon, and died in Fairfield September 
6, 1888. Mary J. became the wife of Joseph Albert Venen, who was a very 
prominent and successful watch-maker and jeweler in Cleveland, Ohio, until 
lbs death July 26. 1907; Mrs. Venen now resides with her brother on Penn- 
sylvania avenue. Fairfield. Eliza M. is the widow of William C. Losh. 
who died March 8, 1878. in Suisun, and she still lives at her old home. 
David Martin, who resides in Fairfield, served in the Forty-eighth Indiana 
Regiment in the Civil war. William H. was a major of the last mentioned 
regiment of volunteers and now resides in St. Louis, Mo. John Q. died when 
three years old. Harry A. resides in Fairfield, where at one time he served 
as postmaster. At the age of two years Allen C. Miller was taken by his 
parents to Erie, Pa., where the family remained for twelve years. While 
yet very young he began to work out in the summer and during the winter 
attended school. From Pennsylvania he accompanied the family to Indiana, 
settling first at Lagro. but later removing to Laporte. and he graduated from 
Cummings Academy. While in the former town the Indians were driven 
->ut of the country and forced to retreat to the western wilderness. At the 

of fifteen years he began to learn the drug business with Ferdinand 
Roberts in Laporte, Ind., and later was with Dwight Denning, of South 



H 



870 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Bend, same state. One year later he took charge of a drug store in Ply- 
mouth, Ind., continuing in that line until he came to the west. 

During the spring of 1852 Mr. Miller joined a party of emigrants bound 
for California. The journey was made with wagons and ox-teams. At 
the expiration of five months the company dispersed to different parts of 
California and he came to what is now Suisun, Solano county, October 26, 
1852. Like all early comers, he tried his luck at mining and like many of 
them he met with no special good fortune. Stock-raising also engaged his 
attention and he was further interested in business ventures. To complete 
a summary of his activities, it may be stated that he served as postmaster of 
Suisun for four years, after which he was chosen deputy county treasurer, 
under John B. Lemon for about ten years, then under James A. Keys, with 
whom he continued for seven years. Afterwards he was deputy to George 
Winegar for four years. When he cast his first presidential ballot in 1854 
it was given to James Buchanan. In principles he has been a staunch 
Democrat, but narrow prejudices are not allowed room for development in 
his mind. On the other hand, he has been liberal and broad in his views. 
For over fifty years a Mason, he belongs to Suisun Lodge No. 55, F. & A. M. 
During 1871 he was raised to the chapter degree and in 1904 he became 
identified with Vacaville Commandery, K. T. He is very fond of both 
vocal and instrumental music. His sister, Mrs. Mary J. M. Venen, is at 
present making her home with him. While he has never married, he has 
not led a lonely life, but in the companionship of congenial friends, in social 
intercourse with the people of his community, in the careful study of the 
issues of the age and in the participation with other progressive citizens 
in the upbuilding of the county, he has been active, cheerful, contented and 
happy. 



JAMES COLLINS. 

Born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1847, Mr. Collins lived there for a 
number of years and had the advantages of the local schools. His early 
days were spent at home on the farm and in this way he became conversant 
with the tilling of the soil and the raising of crops and stock. He immigrated 
to the United States in 1873, coming directly to California, and here, without 
friends or money, he started to fight his own way in the world. Settling in 
the Soscol district, Napa county, he worked on the Shehi ranch for two years, 
during which time he saved some of his wages, so that he was able to start 
farming for himself at the end of this time. For two years he farmed in 
Soscol with fair success and now he owns a ranch of twenty-two acres and 
also rents another ranch of three hundred and forty-four acres. On these 
places he does general ranching and conducts a small dairy of twenty cows. 
Collins station on the electric line is on his place. 

In 1881 Mr. Collins was married to Miss Bridget Smith, a native of Ire- 
land, where the couple were friends before the former came to America. 
Four children were born to them : John, Mary, Leo and Francis. Mr. and 
Mrs. Collins have the respect of the community for the perseverance they 
have shown and for the exhibition of sincerity in the work they have in hand. 



PATRICK J. FORD. 

Prominent among the persistent, energetic men of Solano county is Pat- 
rick J. Ford, whose enterprises stamp him as a man of large vision and 
thrifty nature. It was not until 1908 that Mr. Ford came to this fertile 
county, but since his advent here he has shown his ability to turn the re- 
sources of this land into revenue and coin of the realm. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 871 

Born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1874, Mr. Ford lived in the land of 

lii> birth lor more than thirty years, during which time he received an edu- 
cation in the schools of his home town and followed farming until he left 
Ireland for America, arriving at Now York April 18, 1906. One year later 
he came t<> San Francisco, where he lived two year-, employed in the freight 
department of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company; then he passed eight- 
een months in Sacramento in the service of the Prudential Life Insurance 
Company. Prom Sacramento he came to Solano county and located on one 
hundred and sixty acres of land three miles north oi Fdmira. lie owns an- 
other tract of the same acreage six miles east of Dixon and four acres four 
miles north of Flmira. lie raisi- -rain, horses, sheep and hogs. 

Bartholomew Ford, Patrick J. Ford's uncle, horn in Galway, Ireland. 
April. 1822. came to America in a sailing vessel, the trip consuming five 
months. Then he came overland to California and lived in Stockton ten or 
twelve years, farming. From there he moved to Solano county, where he 
has prospered ever since. Eighteen when he came over, he was a California 
forty-niner and saw much ^i the wild life of the pioneer period. 

Mr. Ford owns a five-room house on a valuable lot in Sacramento. Me 
married. September 16, 1909, Miss Mary Donovan, who was born in County 
Cork, Ireland, and in 1901 came to San Francisco, where she wedded. They 
have a daughter named Mary C. Politically Mr. Ford is a Democrat who 
believes the people should rule. In business and social circles he is well 
known and respected. 



WILLIAM MOORE. 

The life of William Moore began in Ireland in 1826, and came to a close 
in Berrvessa valley. Cal., in 1890. His younger clays were spent in his native 
land, where he followed agricultural pursuits and learned the work of the 
farm as conducted in Ireland. Seeking the greater freedom and larger op- 
portunity of the western lands, he came to Canada and after living there 
n >r a time came to Suisun, Cal.. where for three or four years he followed 
the occupation of farming and then, imbued with the spirit which fired the 
pioneers of California, he went to work in the mines, engaging in this labor 
at Knoxville and Manhattan. In 1850 he returned to his original means of 
livelihood, a tract of land on a grant of one hundred and sixty acres in Berry- 
. valley. At that time there were only four people living in the valley. 
Mr. Moore was compelled to give up this tract of land and settled in the 
upper end of the valley, engaging in stock raising with considerable profit 
to himself. His holdings increased gradually through economic manage- 
ment and energetic thrift, until at the time of his decease he owned eight 
hundred and twelve acres of good land, one hundred and fifty acres in grain 
and the balance in hay and pasture land. He kept on his ranch one hun- 
dred head of cattle, fifty head of hogs, and eleven head of horses. 

Mr. Moore married Miss Mary McCann, also a native of Ireland, and 
a splendid helpmate to him in all his travels and work. The following chil- 
dren were born to that union : Charles. Gilbert B., John. James L. (deceased), 
Jane M.. Bessie, Kittie. Mary and Hannah. Jane M. married John Mullaly, 
to which union four children have been born; Bessie married George Mc- 
Crilles. and they have three children : Kittie married Joseph Osburn, and 
they have one daughter: Mary married C. C. King; Hannah became the 
wife of James Wilson and the mother of two children; Charles married 
Sarah Jackson, and eight children have been born to that union ; Gilbert B. 
married Bell Faley. and they have two children; John married Anna Fred- 
erickson. This large family survives Mr. Moore and bears in tender memory 
a worthy father. 



872 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



ISAAC ORNDUFF. 

A southerner of German descent, Isaac Ornduff was born in Virginia. 
He crossed the plains to California in the early '50s and engaged in various 
occupations of the early pioneer life of California. After coming to the west 
he gave some time to mining on the Feather river, a venture that was suc- 
cessful, as was also a later enterprise, grain farming in Napa county on a 
large scale in partnership with William Emery. While primitive modes 
of transportation were still in vogue he was for some time engaged by 
Nathan Coombs to drive the stage from Napa and Sonoma to Benicia. 

After a time Mr. Ornduff decided to settle down to the quieter life of 
an agriculturist and selected the beautiful Napa valley as his permanent 
home. He purchased from John Patchett the sixty-acre ranch in the west- 
ern part of Napa City which was his home until his demise. This is a 
fruit ranch, set out with cherry and apple trees and kept in good condition. 
The place is on Napa Creek and is one of the most beautiful spots in the 
valley for a residence. He did not confine his business investments to this 
one ranch, but bought also a large tract of land known as the Ornduff tract, 
which was subdivided into house lots and disposed of in that manner. Always 
a public spirited man, he did much for the city of Napa, especially for the 
development of the western portion of the town. 

Mr. Ornduff was married May 2, 1865, in Napa, to Miss Anna Shine, 
a native of Ireland. Two daughters were born of this union: Mary E., 
the wife of William Hoffmeier, who has two sons ; and Miss D. F. Ornduff, 
who lives on the old home place and has charge of the ranch. Mr. Ornduff 
died March 26, 1893, and his wife passed away in April, 1909, leaving to 
their daughters and friends the memories of lives well spent, and filled with 
activities and good deeds. Fraternally, Mr. Ornduff was a member of Knights 
of Honor. 



JOHN MARSHALL WARNER. 

So delightfully recuperating is the climate and remarkably fertile the 
soil of the northern section of California, that those who come here from 
other states are soon convinced that this is the place in which to live. At 
least this was the experience of John Marshall Warner, who is the owner 
of a large almond orchard near Dixon. Solano county. He was born in 
Lewis county, W. Va., November 9, 1868, a direct descendant of German 
ancestors, who had been colonists in Virginia in the early days and some of 
whom had taken part in the war of the Revolution. Being born into a well 
established and eminently patriotic family, the boy was given a start in 
life that is denied to many, and as a young man he attended the public 
school of his native town, remaining at home until he was nineteen years 
of age. At this time in his experience he came west and settled in Yolo 
county, Cal., near Davisville, and engaged himself to a farmer and drove 
his mules. For fourteen years he lived in this locality doing farm work 
and saving his money until he had sufficient to purchase a farm for himself. 
Then it was that the young man began to sigh for the beauties of Virginia 
and the joys of the old home associations. After a time passed in the scene 
of his boyhood, he returned to California. In 1902 he purchased forty-two 
acres of good land, suitable for orchard purposes, paying $150 per acre for it. 
Twenty-five acres of the land are devoted to an almond orchard, of which 
twenty-one acres are in bearing and in 1909 yielded ten and one-half tons. 

Mr. Warner was married in West Virginia to Miss Nancy Stalnaker. 
Mr. Warner speaks in the highest terms when referring to Solano county, 
and his ranch he considers one of the finest localities possible for his purpose. 




>* J&U 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 875 

JOSEPH KIDD. 

Prominent among the well-to-do ranchers in Napa valley is Joseph Kidd, 
coming from the British Isles in 1S(>8. poor in purse but possessing an un- 
limited stock of energy and perseverance. He was born in Antrim, in sight 
oi the Giant's Causeway, north of Ireland, July 3, 1850. He was the son of 
Joseph and Sarah (McKee) Kidd, whose family consisted of four children: 
William, who is on the old home place at Belfast, Ireland; Joseph; Isabella, 
deceased ; and Sarah Ann, in New York state. At the age of eighteen years, 
ambitious to strike out for himself and see what the new world held in 
store for him, Joseph Kidd came to California via Panama, landing in San 
Francisco in June, 1868. He at once found employment upon arriving at 
Windsor, Sonoma county, where he worked on a hay press. With keen 
foresight he bought an interest in this hay press and in one year cleared 
$2,500, paying as high as $2.65 per hundred for grain and wheat. In the 
fall of 1870 he bought his present place of fifty-one acres of wild land at $30 
per acre and set about improving it, building a house, barn and setting 
seventeen acres out in vine, from which vineyard he has realized one hundred 
tons oi grapes for the past four years. Mr. Kidd has invested a greater part 
of his earnings in land, owning two hundred and ninety-one acres in Pope 
valley and another farm in Napa valley, near Vountville, of one hundred and 
sixty-two acres through which the railroad passes. He also owns the Butler 
place of twenty acres and the Godard place of fifty-six acres, besides a block 
of property in Napa and a number of lots in I Berkeley and Oakland. However, 
he prefers living on his prosperous ranch, managing, buying and selling, and 
keeping in touch with the progress of the age, as the results give evidence. 
His investments in cattle and horses have also been very large, selling as 
high as 51.000 in each year, also a number of teams from $500 up. 

His public spirit is shown in the fact that he was candidate for road 
supervisor. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically 
he is a Republican. 



JASPER N. PARTRICK. 

The chairman of the board of supervisors of Napa county was born near 
the city of Napa June 2, 1863, and has been a life-long resident of Brown's 
valley, where he owns and occupies a ranch of one hundred and ninety-seven 
acres situated seven miles from the county seat. An honor which he proudly 
boasts is that of being a son of one of the pioneers of this county. William 
M. Partrick, who crossed the plains with wagons and oxen in 1856, being 
a member of an expedition among whose members was Green Bartlett, the 
founder of Bartlett Springs in Lake county. A farmer for more than twenty 
years in Brown's valley, where he died in 1878, the senior Mr. Partrick 
was deeply interested in the building of good roads and many of the moun- 
tain roads of early days were surveyed and constructed by him. The natural 
bent for road construction which he possessed was inherited by his son, who 
has made a life study of road-building and often has sacrificed his personal 
interests in order to promote the work so important to the permanent wel- 
fare of the county. In addition to managing his farm he conducted a hay- 
press for eighteen years and baled hay all over the county. At this writing 
he raises stock of high grades and also devotes considerable attention to 
his vineyard of ten acres. 

During the year 1883 Mr. Partrick married Miss Elizabeth Wilson, who 
was born in California and died in 1908, leaving four children. Earl. Elmer, 
Frances and Frank. Her father was a pioneer of Brown's valley, where the 
Wilson family has been long and honorably known. For some years Mr. 
Partrick has served as president of the Brown's Valley Telephone Company. 



876 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

In fraternal relations he is identified with Napa Grange, the Knights of 
Pythias, the Native Sons of the Golden West and the Improved Order of 
Red Men. At the election of 1906 he was chosen supervisor and at the expira- 
tion of the term of four years he was again chosen for the office, his present 
service as chairman of the board being characterized by intelligence, keen 
judgment and wise discrimination. At the present time he is also president 
of the Board of Supervisors' Association of California. If he ma)' be said 
to possess a "hobby" it is that of good roads and he is justly proud of the 
fact that Napa county has built the cheapest roads, per mile, of any county 
in California. His district was the first in the state to vote a direct tax on 
itself for road-building and by his system he was able to greatly reduce the 
mileage cost. 

The views held by Mr. Partrick concerning the construction and main- 
tenance of permanent roads can not be better expressed than by the repro- 
duction of an address delivered by him at Stockton before the supervisors' 
state convention, May 19, 1910: 

"The subject we have under consideration at this time (How to con- 
struct and maintain permanent roads) is one of the utmost importance. It 
is a well-established fact that good roads are one of the greatest factors in 
the development of any country. If I were asked to name the three great 
prerequisites for the upbuilding of any state or community I think I should 
reply: 'Good laws, good schools, good roads.' A nation can be judged by 
the quality of its highways. Of the four great universal empires that have 
ruled the world, Rome, the last and most powerful of them all, stands out 
pre-eminently as the great road builder of ancient times. Take for example 
the Appian Way, sometimes called the Queen of Roads, which was constructed 
during the censorship of Appius Claudius Caecus (313-310 B. C). This noted 
highway was built of two courses of large flat stones overlaid with small 
broken stone, and extended from the gates of the city of Rome, on" the south, 
to Brindisi, a distance of three hundred and sixty miles. 

"The palaces and amphitheaters of ancient Rome have long since passed 
away; the temples have crumbled into dust, but the Appian Way, after more 
than twenty-two centuries of constant use, still stands as an everlasting monu- 
ment to its builders. The man who is entitled to the distinction of being the 
greatest road builder the world has ever seen was John Louden Macadam, 
born at Ayr, Scotland, in 1756. Having spent his early years in the United 
States he returned to Great Britain and was appointed agent for victualing 
the navy at the western ports. In 1815 he was appointed surveyor of the 
British roads and thus received the opportunity of putting his splendid ideas 
of road building into practice. His method was to use small broken stones, 
spread evenly over the roadway to a considerable depth, and then rolled down 
until they formed a hard, smooth surface. He was so successful in his im- 
proved system of road building that the house of commons presented him 
with $10,000, and his mode of road making is known all over the world as 
Macadamizing and is used more than all other systems for making perma- 
nent roads. 

"Until recent years the stone used for this mode of road making was 
broken by hand, but now all this work is done by machinery. There has 
been more improvement in road building machinery during the first few years 
of the twentieth century than the world has known in all previous time. 
The most complete macadamizing outfit in the world is owned by DeKalb 
county, Ga. The best equipped outfit owned by any county west of the 
Rocky mountains is at Napa, Cal. I should like to relate my experience 
with this outfit in a twenty-eight day test, but would be taking too much of 
your valuable time. However, I will say this much : we can build macada- 
mized roads in Napa county of sixteen feet width for considerably less than 






HISTORY OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES 877 

$3,000 per mile. There arc two reasons for this : 1st, an abundance of splen- 
did material with which to work. _\1. our splendid rca<l building outfit to 

do it with. 

"1 am now going to give you my idea of how t<> build a macadamized 
road of sixteen feet width, which is wide enough for ordinary purposes, hirst, 
put your roadbed in good condition, shaping it up smooth and rolling il 

down firm and hard and having not more than a three-inch crown; and it 
Possible leaving a dirt shoulder at least four inches high on each side "i the 
sixteen feet of roadway that is to he macadamized. Then crush the stone SO 
that the largest pieces will pass through a two inch ring. Separate into two 
sizes only. Cover surface of roadway evenly with coarse stone to a depth 
i->i seven inches in the center and gradually tapering down to five inches at 
tile edges. Roll down and cover with the liner size to the depth of two 
inches. Wet it all down thoroughly and roll until a stone thrown on the 
roadway will crush instead oi sinking. The heavier the roller and the more 
you roll the road the better. 

"drainage is one of the principal requirements for a permanent road, 
and yet in making a crown ^\\ a macadamized road it should not exceed four 
inches on a sixteen loot road or a rise of one-half inch to the foot. The dirt 
shoulder on each side should come up even with the macadam and should 
slope off gradually to the gutter, but with a little more incline than the 
macadam portion, or about eight inches fall in eight feet, which should 
be the width of each shoulder, making a thirty-two foot roadway from one 
gutter to the other. 

"Now in regard to maintenance of a permanent road. Some one has 
said. 'Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.' The same will apply to keep- 
ing a good road in perfect condition. I do not think we can improve on the 
tem that is used in Europe, plenty of good material placed at convenient 
distances along the roadway and a competent, reliable man in charge who 
will attend faithfully to filling in every depression as soon as it appears. 
I think it would also be well for him to have obstructions which he could 
shift around in different places at those times when he was filling depres- 
sions and this would cause the travel to divert from one beaten track. Of 
course these obstructions would have to be removed before night to avoid 
accidents. But if you have a low crown on your road I think it quite likely 
it would not be necessary to use these temporary obstructions, as travel 
would be pretty evenly divided over the whole roadway. 

"And now we are confronted with a very important question: 'How 
shall we obtain the money with which to do the work?' When it comes to 
this question we usually rely upon the proposition of bonding the county 
for the purpose. Two years ago I was a great believer in bonding as being 
the only way; today I believe that in many instances greater results for less 
money can be obtained by another plan. I now refer to the proposition of 
one or more road districts forming themselves into a permanent road division 
and then voting a tax on themselves in accordance with an act of the legis 
lature approved March 19, 1907. As this is a new law and has probably 
escaped the notice of many of you. it might be well to refer to the important 
points in this act. Whenever a petition is presented to the board of super- 
rs in any county, signed by at least a majority of the land owners resid- 
ing within the proposed permanent road division, asking the board to set 
apart such district or districts as a permanent road division, it shall be the 
duty of the board to grant the recpiest. Such petition shall describe the 
boundaries of the proposed road division; the number of acres contained 
therein: with assessed valuation of the same: the value of Improvements 
thereon and the value of all personal property according to the last com- 
pleted assessment roll; the number of inhabitants as nearly as can be ascer- 



878 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



tained; and lastly a particular description as to the location of the road or 
roads to be improved or constructed and the necessity for such work. At 
the time of forming a permanent road division, or at any time thereafter, 
any ten or more resident freeholders thereof may petition the board of super- 
visors to have plans prepared for the construction or improvement of the 
roads mentioned in the former petition. Such petition shall state : 

"1st. The recommendations of the petitioners as to the materials to be 
used and the manner of construction or repairing of said road or roads. 

"2d. An estimate of the probable cost of the work. 

"3d. A request that the board appropriate a sum of money, naming it, 
from the general road fund. 

"4th. A request that the board appropriate a sum of money, naming 
it, from the road district fund to this permanent road fund. (This sum shall 
not be less than seventy-five per cent of the road district fund.) 

"5th. A request that a special tax be levied on the permanent road 
division to raise the balance of the money necessary for said work. 

"Upon receiving such petition the board shall proceed to prepare, or 
cause to be prepared, plans and specifications for and an estimate of the 
cost of the work mentioned in said petition, or for any other road, bridge, 
culvert or work considered a necessary part of the permanent road, petitioned 
for. When the board has adopted plans and specifications for said work, 
they may set apart therefor such a sum from the general road fund as they 
shall consider equitable ; also such sum from the road district fund as they 
shall consider equitable, but not less than seventy-five per cent of the fund. 
The board may, in its discretion, give more than this percentage. 

"In regard to the special tax petitioned for to complete the work it 
shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to immediately order an election 
to determine whether the same shall be levied ; and the board may in its dis- 
cretion submit to the electors at such election, the question whether the 
balance of the estimated cost of proposed work shall be raised in one, two 
or three successive years, raising an equal amount each year. At such elec- 
tions the ballot shall contain the words, 'Tax, Yes,' and 'Tax, No.' If the 
majority of the votes cast are for the tax, the supervisors must at the time 
of levying the county tax, levy a special tax upon all the taxable property 
in the division sufficient to raise the amount voted for the current fiscal 
year; the rate of taxation to be ascertained by first deducting fifteen per cent 
for anticipated delinquencies. The tax so levied shall be computed and col- 
lected in the same manner as state and county taxes, and when collected 
shall be paid into the county treasury for the use of the division in which 
the tax is voted. 

"The work to be done under this act shall be let by contract to the 
lowest responsible bidder, and shall be under the supervision of two inspec- 
tors appointed by the board, who shall be residents of the road division and 
shall not belong to the same political party and shall fix their compensation 
at not exceeding thirty cents an hour for the time actually spent in the per 
formance of their duties. In comparing this plan with that of bonding the 
county, I consider it much better for several reasons. I will mention three 
of them. 

"1st. Each road district receives direct results from all money raised 
with'in its boundaries. 

"2d. Under this plan the people can decide which road shall be im- 
proved and can carry forward the work according to their needs. By the 
bonding proposition and the workings of the Savage act some of our most 
important roads can not receive one foot of improvement. 

"3d. The direct tax on districts, the pay as you go idea, is the logical 
way to improve roads. 




-%<).*kjj.t 



1 



<?Cl<isW 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 881 

"The bonding proposition was turned down in Napa county principally 

because the people realized that the interest on the bonds would exceed the 

bonds themselves. Before leaving this sub j eel I can not refrain 

from Mating to you that m\ home is iii the road district which 1 believe has 
the distinction of being the first road district in the state to take advantage 

of the special direct tax idea for permanent roads. This is Brown's \ alley 
road district No. 2 mow known as Brown's Valley Permanenl Road Division 
No. 1). On the 29th of May of lasl year we held our special election and 
voted a direct tax on ourselves of sixty three cents on the one hundred dollars 

<^i assessed valuation for three years, the election carrying by a vote of more 
than two to one in favor of the tax. Although this is one of the weakest 
road districts in our county, we intend to raise $12,820 by this plan and build 
about five and one-half miles i>i sixteen-foot macadamized road. The first 
one and a half miles is now completed, the contract price being $3,462.06, or 
$2,308.04 per mile. The contractors had the privilege and used our splendid 
Tort Huron outfit on this contract. If the bonding of Napa county for good 
roads had carried it would have cost this weak road district $23,058 in the 
forty years and it would not have received one foot of macadamized road 
in return. 

"In conclusion let me say: Do not look upon good roads as a luxury. 
hut as a necessity; as a business asset, for nothing else will give you so great 
returns a- money expended in the building of good roads. Good roads pay 
for themselves many times oVer in the saving of tune, horses, harness, wagons, 
in comfort and increased valuation of property. I have in mind a certain 
:e of property in Brown's valley which lies directly alongside the pro- 

.1 improved highway and which will be assessed $22.68 in the three years 
for special road tax and which will easily be increased in valuation S500 by 
the improved highway. Question: Will it pay to invest $22.68 and receive 
in return $500? Let us who are assembled here, as the representatives of 
the different sections of our great and glorious state, constitute ourselves the 
advance guard in the crusade for good roads and never cease in our efforts 
along these lines until our broad land is gridironed with permanent roads. 
which will not only be a credit to our state, but a benefit and comfort to 
ourselves and those that shall come after us." 

The twenty-eight day test, referred to by Mr. Partrick in the preceding 
address, included the completion of a macadam road ^,270 feet in length and 
another road repaired for some distance. Total expense, $2,585.60. Number 
of yards crushed and hauled. 3.368. Average cost. ~o ; 5 4 cents per cubic yard. 
The cost for hauling, rolling and spreading, when the haul was one and one- 
half miles, was about seventeen cents per cubic yard. Compared with horse 
hauling, costs were reduced to one-third. The Porl Huron regular roller 
and the Port Huron spreading dump cars were purchased by Napa county 
chiefly through the efforts of Mr. Partrick and comprised the first steam 
hauling, spreading and rolling outfit ever used in the state. 



GE< >RGE WASHINGT< >N HAYDEN. 

George W. Hayden, proprietor of the Los Carneros ranch, located five 
miles southwest of Napa, is a native son who has recently become a resident 
i f this section. He is a son of James and Margaret (Ross) Hayden, of San 
Francisco, and was born in that city February 4, 1875. James Hayden, 
who was born on Prince Fdward Island, was a builder by trade and was one 
of the prominent men in San Francisco in the early days. By way of Panama 
he came to California in 1868 and during the many years that he followed 
contracting and building in San Francisco he erected many well-known 

40 



882 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



structures. He is now retired from active life, having completed a successful 
business career. 

George W. Hayden spent his boyhood and early manhood in San Fran- 
cisco, and after his school days were over he engaged in the dairy business 
at Turk and Pierce streets, under the name of the Great Western Milk 
Company. Later the name was changed to G. W. Hayden Company. He 
carried on quite an extensive business, selling four hundred gallons of milk 
daily and operating four double team wagons. On April 1, 1906, just before 
the great San Francisco fire, he sold out this business. In February, 1910. 
he removed to Napa county and bought twenty-eight acres of the old Cutting 
fruit ranch. His land is all planted in Bartlett pears and he realized a crop 
of fifty-five tons last year. Mr. Hayden has improved the old Cutting 
residence, which he owns and which he occupies with his family. Besides 
attending to his fruit industry he devotes considerable attention to the 
raising of chickens, ducks and hogs. His ranch is equipped with a fine 
packing house, and the necessary equipment for carrying on his business. 

Mr. Hayden was married at San Rafael, August 15, 1900, to Miss Rose E. 
Zecher, a native of Woodland, Cal., and both himself and wife enjoy the 
high regard of their many friends in the community. Mr. Hayden was one 
of the few men who saw the great opportunity for engaging successfully in 
horticulture in Napa county and has already demonstrated that it is a large 
dividend payer. 



HON. NATHAN COOMBS. 

The late Hon. Nathan Coombs was a pioneer of 1843 in California. De- 
scended from colonial ancestry, he Avas born at Middleboro, on Cape Cod, 
Mass., in 1826, and early lost his father by death and later his mother became 
the wife of a Dr. Carpenter. The family moved to Iowa and settled at Mus- 
catine, from which place, in 1842, young Coombs, at the age of sixteen, made 
his way across the plains to Oregon. The long and difficult journey was 
filled with many dangers, Indians were troublesome, the trail was often lost, 
wild beasts roamed the forests, water was scarce on the plains, but at last 
he reached his destination in safety. After spending one year there, he made 
the journey to California, arriving in the summer of 1843. He stopped in 
what is now Yolo county and secured employment on the Gordon ranch and 
it was there he met and wooed the daughter of his employer, Isabella Gordon. 
In the spring of 1845 the young people rode on horseback to Sutter's Fort, a 
distance of about twenty miles, and were married by Capt. John Sutter. Re- 
turning to the Gordon ranch they remained but a short time, coming to the 
section that is now embraced in Napa county in June that year, and pur- 
chased land at Trubody. This Mr. Coombs farmed for a time, then selling it, 
he bought a tract of land from Salvador Vallejo and in 1848 laid out the town 
site of Napa. From that time until his death he was one of the most promi- 
nent factors in the building up of both city and county, and was known and 
esteemed throughout the entire west. He participated in the strenuous life 
of that early period and was of the Bear Flag party, the reckless daring of 
which at Sonoma has become a part of our traditions. 

Mr. Coombs found that horses of a good grade were not to be had in 
California and decided to make a trip to Kentucky in search of some good 
stock. Riding was the only means of travel and hbrses brought a good price 
and a fine animal was much admired. In 1857 he made the trip by way of 
the Isthmus of Panama, purchased several stallions, the most noted being 
Billy Cheatham and Ashland, which were in all probability the first thorough- 
bred stock imported into this section of the state. On his ranch adjoining the 
town he raised many fine animals, some of which he sold, and others for his 



HISTORY of SOI. \\o \\n NAPA COUNTIES sx.? 

own use. and being a lover of horseflesh was interested in racing and became 

a patron of the turf. He also raised a great many cattle which roamed ai will, 
as there were no fences to hinder them, and in this way obtained the besl 
oi forage. 

During the days oi frontier life Mr. Coombs had many thrilling experi- 
ences. Once he was attacked by a grizzly hear that pulled him from his 
horse, struck him across the chest and tore flesh and muscles of his body and 
arm. By good fortune he escaped, hut to the day of his death he suffered 
from the effects of that encounter. With that exception he possessed a robusl 
constitution and great powers oi endurance. In the midst of perplexing con 
ditions ho maintained an equable disposition and a fearlessness that were his 
distinct characteristics. Throughout his community he was known as a man 
oi excellent judgment and his counsel was often sought by acquaintances 
and associates. The early settlers looked upon him as a councillor in many 
questions touching their titles to their lands, lie was a liberal contributor 
to all charitahle enterprises and to all measure- Eor the upbuilding of the city 
and county oi Xapa. He was a member of the Society of California Pioneers 
oi San Francisco, interested in all things that showed the growth of the Golden 
State. 

The death of this pioneer occurred December 26. 1877, when he was fifty- 
one years old, and his wife died at the age of fifty-five years. They had 

n children, five oi whom attained mature years: William; Eva, who 
married Hon. J. M. Coghland : Nathan; Frank L. and Levi. Mr. Coomhs 
served in the California legislature during the sessions of 1855 and 1857 and 
in later years was urged at many times to accept public honors, but stead- 
fastly refused. Mrs. Coomb's father. William Gordon, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, crossed the plains in 1824 to Mexico, locating at Taos, where he married 
Miss Lusario. of Castilian parentage. He brought his family to California 
in 1840 and engaged in stock raising on a large scale on Cache Creek. Yolo 
county. His ranch was the rendezvous of the Bear Flaggers during the Mex- 
ican war. Mr. Gordon became a leader in all the early events of his section 
and died in Lake county in 1876. Perhaps no man in early California was 
hetter known, no one had more friends, no one could have been more trusted, 
and no one of the earlv timers died more lamented. 



HOMER GRANT BROWX. 

Stock raising is a very remunerative industry in Solano county. How- 
ever, it is a vocation that requires much keen foresight and sagacious judg- 
ment, for many conditions have to be contended with. The subject of this 
sketch. Homer G. Brown, is one of the most successful stock raisers of this 
county and his thrifty ranches and prize stock bear testimony to the fact of 
his ability to utilize inherent qualities to financial ends. 

Mr. Brown was born near Binghampton. Solano county, May 1, 1866. 
He is the son of Hon. Jackson Fay and Eliza M. (Hopkins) Brown, pioneers 
of this vicinity, represented in a sketch on another page in this history, lie 
was raised on his father's farm, learning the rudiments of farming and stock 
raising, and gained his education in the public schools, later attending the 
Xapa Business College, where he was graduated in 1887. His after life indi- 
cates that he made the most of his opportunities afforded him in youth for 
educational advancement. After his graduation he acquired from his father 
a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres, where he settled and has since lived. 
From his youth up he has always been intimately associated with farming 
and stock raising and so was well qualified to take his position in life and 
wrest from the earth his competence by means of agriculture and stock rais- 



884 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



ing. He now owns nine hundred and sixty acres of land nine miles south of 
Dixon, well improved with a new modern residence, of which four hundred 
and eighty acres are planted in barley and hay, the balance being devoted to 
the pasturing of stock. As indicated at the commencement of this sketch, 
Mr. Brown is a stock breeder of high standing in his community. On his 
ranch he has six hundred head of Merino sheep of old Vermont breed, this 
stock having descended from fifty head his father gave him, which in turn 
were culled from the best breeding of the half century then just ended. Dur- 
ing the present season he expects over one hundred per cent increase, and his 
sheep shear annually eleven and one-half pounds per head. Mr. Brown, with 
characteristic foresight, usually keeps one hundred fine full blooded Merino 
rams for sale, these being selected stock and great wool producers. He raises 
also full blooded high grade Percheron horses. 

In 1891 Mr. Brown was happily married to Miss Lutie C. Dresser, a native 
of Minnesota. Mrs. Brown's father, Henry Dresser, was born in Massachu- 
setts in 1832, and in 1857 left his native state for Minnesota and there home- 
steaded one hundred and sixty acres of land. He was married in Rochester 
in 1862 to Helen Everard, who was born in the town of Bethel, Sullivan 
county, N. Y., in 1843. Of Mr. and Mrs. Dresser's union were born four 
children ; Walter H., Rubin E., Edward F., and Lutie C. 

Politically Mr. Brown is a Republican insurgent and a strong supporter 
of his party's principles. He was made a Mason in Vacaville Lodge No. 134, 
F. & A. M. He is fond of the hunt and the chase and, with a view to their 
perfect efficiency, raises his own horses. Mr. Brown's father, during the 
twenty years prior to his decease, had given his children over thirty-four 
hundred acres of land, thus evidencing his kindly attitude toward posterity. 
At the time of his death he left about three thousand acres to his widow. 
He was well known in financial circles in Solano county, having held one 
hundred shares of stock in Dixon Bank, and been one of its- directors. 
Although he received assistance from his father, Homer G. Brown has not 
failed to make the most of his advantages and has won the honor and esteem 
of his fellow citizens by his earnest efforts and close application to the im- 
provement and building up of his extensive stock business and ranch property. 



AUGUST LOUIS BUHRMEISTER. 

As is suggested by the name, the Buhrmeister family is of German 
origin, and the establisher of the name on this continent and in California 
was Harry G. Buhrmeister, the father of the gentleman whose name appears 
above. He came to this country single and alone so far as relatives were 
concerned, but in spite of the trying experiences that he passed through 
before he became established in his new surroundings he never regretted 
the step that he had taken. His marriage was celebrated in San Francisco, 
uniting him with Miss Katherine Mangels, a native of Hanover, and all of 
the six children born to them are native sons and daughters. The father 
made settlement in Cordelia, Solano county, in 1864, three years before the 
birth of his son August, and here he established a grocery business that 
he maintained successfully for fifteen years, or until selling it out in 1879. 
He then engaged in horticulture upon one hundred acres of land which he 
purchased in the Upper Suisun valley, developing it and improving it with 
orchard. He passed away in 1904, at the age of eighty-six years. Mrs. Buhr- 
meister, who died at the old home May 4, 1881, at the age of forty-seven 
years, was a sister of Louis Mangels and Mrs. Claus Spreckels. 

The birth of August L. Buhrmeister occurred in Cordelia, Solano county, 
August 18, 1867, and in 1880, when he was thirteen years old, the family 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\n NAPA COUNTIES 887 

removed to Manka's Corners. He had attended school in Cordelia to some 
extent, and at Manka's Corners he continued Ms studies, remaining a student 
there until he completed the course. Early in life he decided to take up 
fruit raising and has followed it ever since. In tin- Upper Suisun valley. 
about eight miles northwest of Suisun. he has a ranch of fifty six acres 
favorably located for the early ripening of fruits, which he dries for the 
market. The fruit which he raises is of the choicest varieties and receives 
the highest market prices. Besides his ranch he owns considerable improved 
property in Suisun. from which he receives an income. 

The marriage of August I.. Buhrmeister occurred in Suisun valley in 
1895 and united him with Miss Lilly Roberts, a Native Daughter, whose birth 
occurred in \ acaville. and they have one child. Louis. Politically Mr. liuhr- 
meister espouses Republican principh 



JOSEPH CALLIZO. 

For more than twenty-five years Joseph Callizo has been foreman of the 

vast Parrott estate, situated near St. Helena, Xapa county, and recognized 

as one ^i the show places oi the county. During his residence in California 

he has acquired ample means and may be said to be one of the most pro- 

-Mve citizens of the county in which he has resided for so many year--. 

Mr. Callizo was born in Oloron, St. Marie. Rasses-Pyrenees. France, of 
Spanish parentage, April 19. 1856. He received an education common to 
the boys of his social status and during young manhood studied grape 
culture and gardening, earning his livelihood in this way. He continued 
tti do this until 1884. when he came to America. On reaching the Lnited 
States he came direct to Xapa county. Cal.. working in vineyards for fifteen 
months. At the end of this time he came to St. Helena and took charge of 
the estate which is under his direction today. The place contains one thou- 
sand acres, fifty acres in vineyard, and also three thousand olive trees. The 
stone mansion was erected in 1884 at great expense. The grounds are 
beautifully laid out in gardens, walks and drives, all of which Mr. Callizo 
planned, and he also planted the trees and shrubs, which are kept in splendid 
order. The vineyard is very productive, the finest quality of wine being 
made from the grapes, in fact it is conceded that the finest wine produced 
in Xapa county is made by Mr. Callizo. The manufacture of olive oil is 
another industry carried on on the ranch, eleven hundred gallons having 
been produced in one season. Mr. Callizo owns a ranch of twenty-three 
acres in Fast St. Helena, which is devoted to raising French prunes. This 

ne of the finest twenty-acre ranches in Xapa valley, being located only 
half a mile from the business center of St. Helena. 

Mr. Callizo was married in 1880 to I'valdesca Gimenez. a native of 
Spain. From this union three children were born. Salvador, Julian and 
Silvia. Mr. Callizo has reaped success in his line of business as the direct 
result of industry, and is to be commended for the splendid showing of the 
ranch under his care. 



FRANK SAVIEZ. 

Many of the most successful viticulturists of California were born and 
reared on European soil, and to France, especially, is Napa county indebted 
■ some of her most enterprising and prosperous citizens. Prominent among 
these is Frank Saviez. a native of the south of France, born in the department 
de Yerd. May 11. 1850. In 18X3. without means, he came to California. 
After working for a time logging near Duncan's Mills he was employed on a 



888 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



ranch in Green Valley for a time, and later he located near Sebastopol, Sonoma 
county, renting a large ranch where he operated an orchard and raised grapes 
and made wine. In 1893, he came to Calistoga, Napa county, and rented the 
Coit ranch of four hundred acres near Larkmead, of which one hundred and 
thirty acres were in vines. This he conducted successfully for eight years, 
then came to his present place, which was purchased in 1901. This ranch, 
called Cedar Lane, consists of two hundred and twenty acres of good land, 
located at Larkmead Station. In addition to twenty-five acres of vineyard, 
Mr. Saviez has fifteen acres of French prunes and land devoted to peaches, 
cherries, apples and apricots. His ranch receives the best care and attention 
and is under a high state of cultivation. The secret of his success is in the 
fact that he has arrived at his present status by his own efforts and industry. 
Achievement accomplished on this basis is likely to be lasting. 

Mr. Saviez married Mrs. Mary L. Bordot in 1895, and their children are 
Lionel A., Cyril and Lucien Saviez. He has a step-daughter, Lillian L. Bordot. 
Not by any means an old man. Mr. Saviez has many years of life before him, 
in which he is likely to accomplish even greater things than he has achieved 
thus far. 



HARRY NEVINS BUNCE. 

If an honored name, a large and growing blacksmith and manufacturing 
business, and the esteem of a host of friends and general associates may 
be taken as an indication of success, Harry N. Bunce has cause for con- 
gratulation, and is entitled to rank among the substantial and leading citi- 
zens of Napa, where his business interests are located. A native son of the 
state, he was born in San Francisco June 12, 1873, the descendant of a 
pioneer family of the west. His father, William Bunce, a native of Owego, 
N. Y., came to California in September of 1852 via the Nicaragua route and 
secured employment as a bookkeeper in San Francisco. As early as 1854 
he bought a tract of raw land three miles south of Napa and in 1856, hav- 
ing meantime married, he brought his young wife to the ranch. However, 
the frontier environment of that day did not prove congenial and he returned 
to the more cosmopolitan surroundings of San Francisco in 1859, after which 
he continued as a bookkeeper for twenty-one years. Returning to Napa 
county at the expiration of that time, he bought a ranch at Coombsville and 
settled upon the same, remaining there until he retired from ranching and 
disposed of the land by sale. Next he bought ten acres on Lincoln avenue, 
Napa, and engaged in horticultural pursuits, developing the tract into a 
model fruit farm and remaining there until his death, December 25, 1892, 
at the age of seventy-four years. 

As early as 1849 an eastern Argonaut named Phineas Hudson had sought 
the shores of the Pacific and the mining camps of the west. When his 
family joined him in 1855 at San Francisco they had with them his niece, 
Miss Jeannette Hudson, who was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and 
reared at Suffolk, Long Island. November 28, 1854, she was a passenger 
on a sailing vessel that left Sandy Hook for the long voyage around the 
Horn. On the 10th of April, 1855, the Tornado passed through the Golden 
Gate and cast anchor in the harbor of San Francisco, where on December 
6th of the same year the young eastern girl became the bride of William 
Bunce. Six children blessed their union, but only two survive, Harry N., 
being the youngest of the family and a resident of Napa county from the 
age of nine years. A long and arduous activity has not impaired the mental 
or physical faculties of Mrs. Jeannette Bunce, who still makes her home in 
Napa and is well preserved for one of her years. 

After having completed the studies of the Napa schools Harry N. Bunce 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \N D NAPA COUNTIES SX" 

at the age oi eighteen years became an apprentice to the blacksmith's trade 
under William Tyrell, with whom he remained for three years. Later he 
completed the trade under John Gerlach and continued with him one year 
as a salaried assistant, afterward going to San Francisco and embarking in 
business on Divisadera street. Three years were devoted to work in his 
own shop, but he then gave up the business and entered the employ of E. 
J. Bowen. a wholesale seed merchant, with whom he continued as a fore- 
man for two years. On his return to Napa he again became an assistant oi 
Mr. Gerlach. whose business he managed during the illness of two years 
terminating in the proprietor's death, since which time Mr. Bunce has con- 
ducted the shop in his own interests. The business is located at No. 211 
Brown street, where he is equipped with the latest machinery pertaining to 
his particular line iA manufacturing. 

The marriage of Mr. Bunce took place at Napa and united him with 
Miss Adela M. Valentine, who was born at Gera, Bavaria, Germany, but 
at the age of six years was brought to California by her parents, settling in 
Napa, where she was educated in the local schools. The three children in 
the family are Marjorie. Kenneth and Harold. Fraternally Mr. Bunce holds 
membership with the Independent Order of Foresters and Napa Parlor. 
Native Sons of the Golden West. Stanch in his allegiance to the Democratic 
party, he has officiated as secretary of the county Democratic central com- 
mittee and in other connections has aided the local welfare of the organization. 
For many years a member, he now serves as treasurer of the Pioneer Hose 
Company No. 1. a famous local volunteer fire organization, and the only 
one of the kind now in existence out of a number prominent in the early 
history of the city. 



WILLIAM JAMES CARLIN. 

The identification of the Carlin family with the history of the west dates 
back to the year 1850. when James, a stalwart youth born in Ireland and 
reared in New York, traveled by way of the isthmus to San Francisco, where 
later he owned an entire block of city property, selling it, however, before it 
had made any special advance in price. Much of his early life in the west 
was spent as a miner and he and his wife, who was also a native of Ireland, 
lived for brief periods at Oroville. Butte county, in Tuolumne county and in 
Contra Costa county. Her death occurred in 1886 and he passed away eight 
years later. They were honored pioneers of the state and numbered among 
their devoted friends many other early settlers whose names belong to the 
annals of the commonwealth. 

During the residence of James Carlin at Oroville. Butte county, a son was 
born in his family to whom was given the name of William James and whose 
birth occurred in 1858. When the child was five years of age the family re- 
moved to Tuolumne county. His first educational advantages were obtained 
in that county, where he lived for eight years, removing thence to Contra 
Costa county. At the age of fifteen years he went to San Francisco and there 
apprenticed to the trade of a machinist and finally acquired a thorough knowl- 
edge of engineering. For some nine years he remained in San Francisco and 
after a trip to the east he went to San Joaquin county. For twenty-seven 
years he has resided in Vallejo, where he owns a comfortable home at No. 
430 Branci forte street and where he has a host of warm personal friends. For 
the past nineteen years he has been chief engineer for the Vallejo Ferry Com- 
pany, and his long retention is sufficiently indicative of the skilled nature of 
his services. 

The marriage of William James Carlin took place in October of 1884 and 
united him with Miss Madeline McLaughlin, a native of Vallejo. Her father, 



890 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

James McLaughlin, was a native of Nova Scotia and about 1860 came to Cali- 
fornia, where his death occurred in 1874. For many years he was survived 
by his wife, a native of Ireland, who passed away in March of 1908 at a ripe 
old age. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Carlin consists of three children, namely : 
Madeline, a graduate of St. Vincent's academy; William Melville, who has 
received the best advantages of the Vallejo schools; and Marie Eloise, a pupil 
in the city schools. Deeply interested in educational affairs, Mr. Carlin gave 
faithful service to the city for ten years in the capacity of school director and 
during that period he supported all movements for the expansion of the work 
and the upbuilding of a thorough system of pedagogical training. For two 
years he has held the office of library trustee, a post scarcely less important 
than that of director of the schools. In politics he has worked actively for the 
advancement of the Democratic party in the community. . In October of 1910 
he was elected a member of the board of freeholders for drafting the new 
charter for Vallejo. He was a firm believer in the commission form of govern- 
ment and with that end in view gave his best efforts, time and influence for 
its adoption. Fraternally he holds membership with the Independent Order 
of Foresters and the Maccabees at Vallejo. An active factor in the civic up- 
building, he always has stood ready to assist projects calculated to promote 
the permanent welfare of the city and has borne an intelligent, influential part 
in civic and political activities. 



FRANK DROUIT. 

Years of patient, industrious devotion to the work of a miner qualified 
Mr. Drouit for an intelligent appreciation of the occupation of an agriculturist, 
which we find him following contentedly and capably on his farm in the Napa 
valley. To no one does the sunshine seem more welcome nor the air more 
pure than to the one who labored for years in the coal mines beneath the 
earth. Steady employment and excellent wages compensate but illy for the 
loss of all the beauties of nature, hence it is that Mr. Drouit finds an enjoy- 
ment unusually keen in the outdoor employment on his estate, considering 
himself greatly favored to possess a pleasant home in a genial climate, sur- 
rounded by a devoted family and warm friends, and able by his efforts to earn 
a comfortable livelihood for those dependent upon him. 

Born in France and a son of John Drouit, himself a lifelong resident of 
that country, the gentleman whose name introduces this article and whose 
birth occurred February 20, 1855, received fair educational advantages in the 
French schools and at the close of his studies turned his attention to the earn- 
ing of a livelihood in his native republic. During the year 1880 he was united 
in marriage with Miss Louise Amezel, who like himself descended from a long 
line of French ancestors. Two years after their marriage the young couple 
came to the United States and in the effort to earn a livelihood Mr. Drouit 
went to the coal mines of Pennsylvania, where at once he was employed as a 
miner. Later he removed to Indiana and was similarly occupied, going from 
that state to the mines of Alabama, where he continued until the year 1889. 
At that time he removed to the Pacific coast and settled at Calistoga, Napa 
county, where he worked in silver mines for three years. At the end of that 
time he gave up mining in order to embark in ranching and since then he has 
followed agricultural affairs. 

The family of Mr. Drouit comprises two sons and two daughters, namely: 
Frank, who married Miss Florence Christianson and has a daughter, Lillian ; 
Louis, Jeannette and Margaret. All remain with their parents with the ex- 
ception of Frank, who has a position in Alameda and resides in that city. The 
family are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church with the ex- 
ception of Mr. Drouit, who still adheres to the Roman Catholic faith, in which 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 893 

he was reared. Politically he has voted with the Republican party ever since 
he became a citizen of <mr country. The (arm owned by him comprises two 
hundred and forty acres near St. Helena. At this writing he has one hundred 
acres under cultivation u> general farm products. The balance of the ranch 
is in pasture and meadow, besides having considerable timber. Sixteen head 
oi cattle are kept on the ranch. als< i -e\ en head of horses and a number of hogs. 
It i> the intention of the owner to identify himself with horticultural affairs 
in the near future, and the superior quality of the soil on tin- farm, as well as 
his own intelligent application, give promise of success in that department <>f 
farm work. 



JOSEPH KISER. 

One of the owners of valuable land in Napa county is Joseph Kiser. who 
has heen a resident of this county since 1900 and is a very successful dairy- 
man and cheese manufacturer, lie was horn in the village of Sarmcn, Canton 
Unterwalden, Switzerland, of German ancestry, in 1851. He received his 
education in his native country and at the age of eighteen, in 1869. came 
direct to California by way of Panama. His first employment was on a 
dairy farm in Sonoma* valley, where he remained for some time, learning 
the business. At the age oi twenty years he began in business on his own 
account at Eldridge, starting a small dairy, as he realized that his labor 
would count for much greater permanent results. Since the first venture 

he has conducted dairies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties with g 1 

success, using to great advantage those Teutonic characteristics of per- 
sistence and thrift. He has always rented property for his business and on 
coming to Napa, in 1900. leased twelve hundred acres of dairy land on 
Carneros creek. Here he conducts a modern dairy, having eighty Short-horn 
Durham cows, and in, addition to a general dairy business he also manu- 
factures the celebrated California full cream cheese. His factory is equipped 
with a boiler and other modern conveniences for the handling of his product 
and he also has a warehouse for storing the same. His cheese is shipped 
mostly to San Francisco. Besides his dairy business he is interested in 
raising Clydesdale and English Shire horses for breeding and draft purposes. 
He is very successful and has built up a thriving business upon modern 
methods 

Mr. Kiser was married in Napa to Christina Roherer, who was born in 
the same canton in Switzerland as himself. They r have six children, namely: 
Mary. Josie. Christina, Joseph, Louis and Ferdinand. Mr. and Mrs. Kiser 
are well known and much respected by their large circle of friends in the 
count}', who know them for their many acts of charity and for his standing 
as a business man. 



FRANK WILLIAM DFRRTCK. 

In recognition of his exceptional knowledge of the horse, his ailments 
and the cures therefor. Dr. Derrick enjoys the distinction which came to him 
when he was made veterinary surgeon of the United Stati ernment at 

Mare Island. In this position his ability has been tested, but never to his 
confusion, for his life work has been in mastering his profession, and the 
uniform success with which he meets the cases brought to him for treatment 
attests his exceptional ability. 

A native son of the state, Dr. Derrick was born in San Francisco March 
26, 1856, and his entire life ha-- been passed in his native state. Early in life 
circumstance- brought him to Vallejo, and here he was educated in the public 
schools. Even while conning hi- lessens he vaguely planned the course of 



894 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



his future life and as the years passed he saw it gradually develop, until today 
he enjoys the distinction of being one of the best veterinary surgeons in this 
section of country, if not in the state. As a boy it was his delight to subdue 
wild and unmanageable horses, those that were considered impossible to 
handle by others, and his feats along this line soon gained him great fame 
throughout different parts of the west. He became very proficient in the 
saddle and in riding the wildest of bronchos, many that he conquered having 
been considered invincible. He was no less successful as a rough rider and 
he accomplished feats at long-distance riding that seem incredible. His 
ability as a rough rider made him a prominent figure in the sawdust ring, 
for no wild-west show was considered complete in which he did not figure. 

After the completion of his medical studies Dr. Derrick took up the 
practice of veterinary surgery, first in Ukiah, and while there was also county 
veterinarian of Mendocino county. In 1906 he returned to his old home town 
of Vallejo and opened the Capitol street stables, a modern veterinary hospital 
located at No. 528 Capitol street, where he is equipped to cope with all the 
ailments to which the horse is heir. In addition to caring for his private 
practice he holds the position of veterinary surgeon for the United States 
government at Mare Island navy yard. 

Dr. Derrick took up his professional duties with the sanction and approval 
of the Detroit Veterinary Dental College, from which he graduated with the 
degree of D. V. D., and from the Veterinary Science Association of London, 
Ontario, he received the degree of V. S. To both of these well-known insti- 
tutions he has been a credit and the veterinary field has benefited by his 
activities therein. Fraternally Dr. Derrick was made a Mason in Golden 
Thistle Lodge No. 2, F. & A. M., of San Francisco, and he is still affiliated 
with the order. 



WILLIAM HENRY BUCK. ■ 

Cortland county, N. Y., was the birthplace of Mr. Buck and September 
13, 1846, the date of that event. The training which he received in the public 
school of Seneca Falls was supplemented by instruction in a local academy. 
At the age of nineteen he went as far west as Wisconsin, being located at 
Viroqua for three years, when he went to Iowa and Dakota and finally returned 
to Iowa. The year 1881 is memorable as the time of his removal to Cali- 
fornia and his settlement in Vacaville, Solano county. 

At the age of seventeen years Mr. Buck enlisted his services in the cause 
of the north, volunteering in March, 1864, and becoming a member of Com- 
pany G, Third Regiment of New York Light Artillery. Serving until the 
close of the war, he was then honorably discharged at Syracuse, N. Y., in July, 
1865. After his discharge he remained at home for six months, when with his 
brother. I. K. Buck, he engaged in a mercantile business in Viroqua, Wis. 
This partnership was also continued in Iowa and Dakota. 

When Mr. Buck came to California he bought land and engaged in the 
fruit business, and he has followed this business successfully ever since. He 
now has about seventy acres in a variety of fruits suitable for shipping pur- 
poses, such as cherries, plums, pears and peaches. Almost the entire acreage 
was set out under his supervision, and it was only after a number of years of 
experimenting that he finally selected the varieties that were best adapted to 
this vicinity. His property is divided into two tracts, fifty acres lying five 
and a half miles northwest of Vacaville, and twenty acres four miles from 
town. The place is improved with packing houses and all modern improve- 
ments, and Mr. Buck superintends the management of the business from his 
residence in Vacaville. 

In Iowa, in 1876, five years before he came to California, Mr. Buck was 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES s«»5 

married to Miss Jennie Griffith, a native of Illinois, and three daughter* were 
born to them: May 1\., who married Fred W. Bullock and now residing in 

Woodland; Mamie I'... at home with her parents; and Lillian ('., the wile o| 

Chris 11. Seiber, they and their two children residing in Woodland. Mr. Buck 

was made a Mason in Yiroqua. \\ is., and is now a member of Vacaville Lodge 
No. 134, F. & A. M.. also a member of Chapter No. 81, R. A. M.. and Vacaville 
Commandery No. 38. K. T. With his wife and daughters he is a member of 
Vacaville Chapter. Eastern Star, in which all take an active part. Mr. Buck is 
also a member of Lyon Lost. G. A. R., and politically he is a Republican. 



GEORGE H. RUSS. 

Closely associated with the development of Vallejo. having by his pro- 
gressive spirit and practical generosity materially aided in all municipal 
movements, Mr. Russ, now retired from active life, ranks among the most 
influential citizens of that community. His father, William Russ, a native 
of Camden. Me., was a ship caulker by trade, maintaining his establishment 
until his death. He was the son of William Russ, Sr., of Massachusetts, 
who faithfully served in the war of 1812, his death occurring in Camden, Me. 
Frances i Larkman ) Russ, the mother of George H. Russ, was born in 
Camden, Me., the daughter of William Parkman, a native of Massachusetts, 
who passed away in Maine at the age of seventy-eight years. Mrs. Russ 
spent her last years with her son in Vallejo, Cal., her death occurring at the 
age of eighty five. Of her two children the eldest was Harriet, later Mrs. 
George W. Simonton ; she died in Vallejo in 1869. 

George H. Russ spent his early boyhood in Rockland, Me., where he 
was born May 13, 1833. In 1837 he was taken by his parents to Camden, 
that state, where he graduated from the public school at the age of twelve, 
and immediately secured a situation on a farm. Four year later he became 
a carpenter's apprentice in Belfast, Me., and upon completion of his trade 
located in Boston, Mass. In 1855 he journeyed to Louisiana, thence to Texas, 
where for several years he followed his profession of contractor and builder, 
working in Houston, Galveston and other cities. In 1860, with a party of 
eight young men he started on horseback for California. Needless to say, 
many turned back, only Mr. Russ and one companion (Alfred Chamberlain) 
pressing on despite both danger and hardship. Later they were joined by 
two other travelers quite as determined as themselves to continue the jour- 
ney, which became more hazardous each day. However, being well armed 
and exceedingly courageous, they were enabled to vanquish their frequent 
assailants, the Indians, who at that period beset the plains, and after six 
months of weary travel, amid constant danger and semi-starvation, they again 
reached civilization. From San Pedro they took a steamer to San Francisco, 
where Mr. Russ engaged in his trade for a time, later becoming a prospector 
in Amador county. Cal. Shortly thereafter he became a soda water manu- 
facturer at Jackson. Amador county, subsequently engaging in the same in- 
dustry in Santa Rosa. Modesto and Fresno, meeting with great success. In 
1889 he settled in Vallejo. where for many years he took an active part in 
the development of the city, retiring in 1900 to his commodious and well 
appointed home at Capitol and Sutter streets, which corner he had previously 
highly improved. 

Mr. Russ was married October 19, 1856, in Belfast. Me., to Miss Jane 
B. Green, a native of Belfast and a daughter of David Green, of Massachu- 
setts. At the age of eight years Mr. Green went to sea as a cabin boy. rising 
to the position of captain. During his eventful career he made sixty-three 
voyages between Boston and the West Indies, but was quite happy in his 



896 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



precarious position, life on the ocean proving fully as free and fascinating as 
he had dreamed it would be. At the age of sixty-eight he retired to his home 
in Belfast, where he died in 1854. His wife, formerly Nancy Wilson, born 
in Maine, died in San Francisco at the advanced age of ninety-one. A brother 
of Mrs. Green, Nat Wilson, who served as a lieutenant under Gen. Andrew 
Jackson during the war of 1812, was later appointed by President Jackson 
as purser, now known as paymaster, of the navy, his commission, signed 
by the president, now being in the possession of his niece, Mrs. Russ. Col. 
Jonathan Wilson, grandfather of Mrs. Russ, represented the district of Maine 
in the Massachusetts legislature for many years. Of the five children born 
to Mr. and Mrs. David Green, Mrs. Russ is the only one living. Her courage 
and womanly help have been an inspiration to her husband, whom she joined 
in California in 1863, traveling by way of the Isthmus. A stanch Democrat, 
Mr. Russ has ever maintained an intelligent interest in political affairs in 
general, his citizenship never having given cause for adverse criticism, and 
in the afternoon of his career he enjoys with his wife, a large circle of friends. 



SILAS S. SHOOK. 

The narrow strip of land extending northward from the main portion 
of the state of West Virginia, bounded on the west by the Ohio river and 
on the east by Pennsylvania, contains within its limited area the county of 
Marshall, which, although circumscribed in influence and importance, comes 
within metropolitan activities by reason of its close proximity to Wheeling 
as well as a number of prominent cities in Pennsylvania and Ohio. That 
region formed the headquarters of Mr. Shook for forty years. There he was 
born April 19, 1860; in its schools he received a fair education and on its 
farm lands he learned the principles of agriculture. Indistinct memories of 
the Civil war fill his recollections of those days of early childhood, while 
with vivid distinctness he recalls the poverty and suffering that ensued upon 
the conflict between the north and the south. 

Identified with the early history of Virginia, the Shook family bore 
an honorable part in the agricultural development of the Old Dominion. 
Henry and Louisa (Caldwell) Shook, respected residents of the state, be- 
came the parents of seven children, as follows : Henry J., who married 
Birdie Fuchs and became the father of three children ; Silas S., whose name 
introduces this article; Mary V., Mrs. John Ransom, the mother of two chil- 
dren ; Sarah E., who is married and has three children ; Russia C, Mrs. 
Isaac Yates, the mother of four children ; Louisa J., Mrs. Charles Caldwell ; 
and Verona, who married Charles White and became the mother of two 
children. 

Upon the first visit to California made by Mr. Shook he worked in the 
employ of agriculturists and also rented one hundred acres of grain land. 
At the expiration of two years he returned to West Virginia, but in 1906 
he once again came to the coast country, this time settling in the Napa 
valley, where he bought and still owns fifteen acres of fine fruit land. Of the 
tract he has nine acres in prunes. The balance is in a vineyard, from which 
in 1910 he harvested twenty-one tons of grapes. During the same year he 
sold seven tons of dried prunes from his orchard. The land has proved a 
profitable investment and he has had no reason to regret the decision that 
brought him to the west as a permanent resident. 

While a citizen of West Virginia and a farmer of Marshall county, Mr. 
Shook was united in marriage with Miss Anna R. Coffield, a Virginian by 
birth and education. One daughter came to bless their union, now Mrs. 
Carrie Connors, of Napa. Mr. Shook is intensely devoted to his three grand- 
children, Earl S., Pearl and Virginia, who are bright and promising children. 







I 


■ ' i (i * % 






' 










HISTORY OF SOLANO U*D NAPA COUNTIES 899 

Ever since early life Mr. Shook has been identified with the Methodist Epis 
copal denomination and has been a generous contributor to its missionary 
enterprises, its charities and its current expense fund. Reared in the Eaith 
of the Democratic party, he still favors its general principles, but he has come 
to believe thai prohibition of the sale «>i liquors is as important to tin- wel 
fare of the nation as is the correct settlement of the tariff question. Both 
in theory and in practice he is a Prohibitionist. By precept and example 
he lias given that movement his support and us local progress may be 
attributed to the energetic and intelligent support of such citizens as Mr. 
Shook. 



JOSEPH GYTE. 

Before the commencement of the reign of good Queen Victoria in Eng- 
land, in the >car 1830, Joseph Gyte was born among the beauties and the 
glories of the hills and dales oi Derbyshire. He was educated in the public 
schools oi England and for some years afterward he remained there, true to 
the traditions of his fathers and loyal to the institutions of his native land. 
But the traditionalism ami the conservatism of England presented no very 
u-reat opportunities for the young man to rise in the world, so we find him, 
at the age oi twenty-five, coming to America on a sailing vessel, landing in 
New York. Going to Wisconsin, he followed farming in Dane county for a 
f e w y e 

In 1863 Mr. Gyte came to California and has since resided in this state. 
He came via the Isthmus of Panama and at once proceeded to Napa county, 
where he obtained work on the Trubody ranch. Napa valley, remaining at 
this place for six years. Having saved enough money in the meantime to 
purchase a place of his own, he secured one hundred and sixty-five acres of 

1 land eight miles north of Xapa, on the east side of the valley, where 
he now resides. The place has greatly improved under his directing hand 
and he has shown himself to be a man possessing resourcefulness and the 
power oi industry. He raises grain and stock and runs a small dairy of nine 
cows. The product of the cows is separated and the cream supplies the 
dairy. The ranch is known as Madrona Terrace, he so naming it on account 
of a two acre grove of Madrona trees upon it. Although over eighty years 
of age Mr. Gyte is hale and hearty, due to an abstemious life and an ob- 
servance of nature's laws. In 1900 he accomplished a long-cherished desire 
to visit his old home in Derbyshire. England, spending about two months 
in his buy hood home. 

In Middleton. Dane county. Wis., Mr. Gyte was married in 1856 to Miss 
Maria Goodwin, who was born in Derbyshire. England, and came to this 
country with her parents in 184 f >. Their children are Mrs. Anna Lafayette 
Smith of Xapa. and Esther, who is interested in educational work. In spirit 
Mr. Gyte is a Republican, although he believes in voting at the local elections 
for the man who stands for the best interests of the place. Both himself 
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Napa. 



PHILIP ELTIN 

A native of the east. Philip Elting was burn in New Paltz, Ulster county. 
N. Y.. lulv 5, 1834. and was reared on the farm of his parents. Moses and 
Phoebe (Vredenburgh) Elting. His early experiences call to mind the old 
homestead farm, where he learned farming and was thus enabled to under- 
take and make a success of agriculture in after life. ' >n July 5, 1870. he left 
the old home and came west to California, settling in Knight's Valley, Sonoma 



900 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



county. He was given full control of the old Knight ranch of thirteen thou- 
sand acres and for three years he demonstrated his ability as a farmer by 
managing this large property to advantage. It was in 1874 that Mr. Elting 
first came to Napa county, settling at this time in St. Helena, where he has 
pursued the calm and even tenor of his way ever since. Here, in the salubrious 
climate that has won this county a name, he lives his life, basking in the 
twilight of work done and opportunity accepted. 

Mr. Elting enjoys the distinction of being the only one living at St. 
Helena of the seventeen original charter members of the Presbyterian Church 
of this place. The other sixteen have been called to their rest or have re- 
moved, and their one-time comrade continues the work they commenced 
together, by being a zealous and energetic worker, in spite of the encroach- 
ment of years. Mr. Elting has been an active participant in the growth and 
advancement of this section of the community and has ever supported those 
measures of political economy that tended to this end. 



CARLO CEREDA. 

Mr. Cereda's financial standing in Solano county rests upon the possession 
of a splendid ranch of sixty-five acres in the vicinity of Cordelia, under general 
fruits, and of another tract of sixteen and a half acres under cherries and 
peaches. These properties, while not extensive in area, are among the best 
paying in the county. The owner is a man of rare enthusiasm, one who 
thoroughly understands the scientific aspects of his work, and who correctly 
estimates his occupation as one of the noblest and most useful of the human 
race. 

In the event of retiring from the fruit business Mr. Cereda could earn a 
comfortable living as a stone-mason, a trade learned in Switzerland, where he 
was born in Canton Ticino, December 23, 1853. He came to this country at 
the age of twenty-one years, equipped with his useful trade and a common 
school education, and in 1875 located in Solano county, Cal., and worked at 
ranching until 1881. He then returned to his native land to visit his father 
and mother, both of whom were born in Switzerland, the father dying there in 
1907, at the age of seventy-seven years, the mother surviving him until 1909. 
During his three months' sojourn in his native land Mr. Cereda married 
Theresa Paganini, a native of Switzerland, and with her returned to the ranch 
which he since has occupied in the vicinity of Cordelia. Ten children were 
born to them, as follows : Theresa, Al., Charlie, Frank, Henry, Harry, Samuel, 
Hannah, Tilly and Baby. Notwithstanding his many home duties Mr. Cereda 
takes a commendable interest in politics, fraternities and religion, and is a 
Republican by preference, and socially is connected with the Druids of Napa 
and the Foresters of Cordelia. 




JOHN LEPORI. 

As proprietor of the Vichy Springs near Napa the name of John Lepori 
has become known over a wide territory, and as a square dealing, upright 
business man he has gathered about him a business commensurate with his 
labors. He was born in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, April 27, 1854, the son 
of Peter Lepori, a man of large mind who followed the profession of teach- 
ing in his native country for over fifty years, thereafter retiring and living 
on a small pension until his death, in 1909, at the age of eighty-five. His 
wife, before her marriage Pacifica Moggi, had preceded him in death many 
years. All of their three children came to the United States, and all remained 
here with the exception of the daughter, Louisa, who returned to Ticino and 



HISTORY OF sol VNO VND NAPA COUNTIES 901 

is now following the profession of teacher there. The eldesl son, Constant, 
is engaged in the wholesale coffee and liquor business in San Francisco. 

fohn Lepori was reared in his native locality in Switzerland and there 
he attended the grammar school, following this foundational training by a 
course in high school and later a normal course, all of which ably fitted him 
for the position oi teacher which he subsequently held for four years. Main 
of his countrymen had come to the United States and made a success of 
their undertakings and his ambition to do likewise was a worthy undertaking 
that he carried out in 1875. In the month of July of that year he landed 
in San Francisco, and from there immediately made his way to San Ji 
where his brother, Constant, was then living. There he was fortunate in 
obtaining employment in the paint shop of George B. McKee and he remained 
with this employer for four years. From San Jose he then returned to San 
Francisco and engaged in the restaurant business, and subsequently was in 
the hotel business on Broadway, in the same city. As proprietor of St. GrOth- 
ard's hotel for twenty years he became well known to the traveling public. 
After disposing of this hostelry he purchased the Continental hotel in Tela 
luma, but could not remove there then as it was leased, so instead he came 
to Xapa. in 1901. and for the past eleven years this has been his home and 
the scene of his activities. Soon after coming here in that year he purchased 
land upon which he later discovered a mineral spring. Analysis of the water 
showed that it was highly mineralized and had a commercial value if prop- 
erly handled. At first he leased to others, but the arrangement did not 
prove satisfactory and he was obliged to take the management of the prop- 
erty into his own hands. Under his oversight and personal management the 
venture has been a decided success and the demand for the water is con- 
stantly on the increase. The Xapa vichy water, as it is called, is bottled and 
sold all over the Pacific coast through agents. As a table water it has no 
superior, the chemical analysis testifying to its purity, being composed of 
the right proportions of the carbonates, sulphates, chlorides of lime, mag- 
nesia and soda. The vichy ranch comprises fifty acres located three and 
a half miles from Xapa, on the Berryessa road, where the proprietor is also 
engaged in farming and viticulture, following the latter more as a pastime, 
however, than as a means of profit, for his income from the springs is amule 
for his needs. In addition to the enterprise mentioned Mr. Lepori still owns 
the Continental hotel in Petaluma, the management of which is left to other 
hands. 

In San Francisco Mr. Lepori was married to Mrs. Mary Martinelli. who 
was born in Canton Ticino. Switzerland. Four children w r ere born of this 
marriage. Virginia. Mary, Clelia and August. While in San Francisco Mr. 
Lepori was made a Mason, joining Esperance Lodge. F. & A. M.. besides 
which he belongs to the Elks Lodge at Petaluma. the Druids, the Swiss 
Mutual Benevolent Society and to the Ticino Mutual Benevolent Society. 



ALEXANDER A. HYATT. 

The influences surrounding the early years of Alexander A. Hyatt were 
so varied and diverse that he developed a personality as unique as it was 
interesting. Under any circumstances and under any environment he would 
have been fearless and self-reliant, but these qualities became especially 
prominent through the circumstances that called them forth. Thrown upon 
his own resources at an early age, he learned to depend upon himself and 
not to permit temporary failures or discouragements to lessen his deter- 
mination to attain success. Whatever of prosperity came to him (and it 
was considerable) it may be attributed to his own indomitable energy, his 



902 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



courage in overcoming obstacles, his quiet persistence in any task attempted 
and his wide knowledge gained in the school of experience. 

Mr. Hyatt was born in Westport, Conn., February 14, 1826, and re- 
mained in his native state until 1849, when at the age of twenty-three years 
he left for California and came hither in a sailing vessel around Cape Horn. 
In Westport he was educated and learned the trade of hatter, but after com- 
ing to California he went into the mines in El Dorado county. Leaving the 
mines he went into the express business in Georgetown and found much 
lucrative employment in buying gold and melting the same into bars, which 
he sold to the banks and Government. In 1872 he took a trip to New York 
and engaged in business there for three years, at the end of which time he 
returned to California via Panama. On November 16, 1872, he bought the 
ranch of forty-nine acres which his widow now owns, about two and one- 
half miles east of Vacaville. This ranch is a prosperous one and is all 
planted in fruit trees, peaches, apricots and prunes principally. 

On April 2, 1862, Mr. Hyatt was married in Placerville to Mrs. Anna E. 
(Davenport) Merchant, the widow of Marcus A. Merchant. A native of 
Vermont, he came to California in 1849 across the plains and died in 1859. 
Mrs. Hyatt was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., the daughter of Valentine 
and Mona (Palmatier) Davenport. She came to California by way of Nica- 
ragua and joined her husband in Georgetown. She has an adopted daughter, 
May Watt Hyatt, born in Washington territory in 1882 and now Mrs. 
John T. Martin, of Watsonville. 

The death of Alexander A. Hyatt occurred November 17, 1902, remov- 
ing from life's activities a noble man, an honored husband and a pioneer 
fruit grower of Solano county. After her husband's death Mrs. Hyatt con- 
tinued to operate the ranch until 1909, when she leased it and purchased a 
home in Vacaville, where she now resides, her sister, Janetta Davenport, 
making her home with her. Mrs. Hyatt is a woman of many fine qualities, 
and her many kindnesses to those who have been less fortunate than her- 
self have endeared her to all. 









WILLIAM S. GODFREY. 

The present supervisor of the fourth district of Solano county is William 
S. Godfrey, who was born in Girard, Erie county, Pa., in 1862. When he 
was four years old his parents removed to Wellsburg, Pa., and there he 
attended the common and high schools. Remaining on the home farm until 
he was eighteen years old, he then went to the northern part of Michigan 
and entered the lumber business, subsequently going to Indiana and remain- 
ing there until coming to California in 1881. His first home in this state 
was in Dixon, Solano county, where for seven years he was engaged in 
agriculture. At the end of this time he removed to the vicinity of Vacaville, 
and this has been his home ever since. On land which he purchased he set 
out an orchard of thirty-six acres, a specialty being made of prunes and 
peaches. He later sold this property and has since made his home in town. 

In 1883 Mr. Godfrey married Miss Ella L. Brown, a native of Solano 
county, and two children have been born to them. Olive C, born in Solano 
county, was educated in the public school and in Stanford University ; William 
S., Jr., also born in this county, followed his public school education by a 
course in business college in Sacramento and is now proprietor and manager 
of the Grand theater in Vacaville. Mr. Godfrey's father passed away in 
Pennsylvania in 1895, and his mother is now living in that state at the age 
of eighty-seven. 

Politically Mr. Godfrey is a Republican and fraternally he is a member 
of Vacaville Lodge No. 83, I. O. O. F., Woodmen of the World, Red Men, 




/$,o*pi£J 0/fc/<t^7$c 



HISTORY OF SOL W ► AND NAPA COUNTIES 

Eagles and Vallejo Lodge No. 55°. B. P. O. E, For the pasl twenty years 
he has been a school trustee, and in 1906 he was elected supervisoi foi t lie 
fourth district, a position which he still holds through re-election in 1910. 
A resident ^i this section tor thirty years, ho has always identified himself 
with the advancement of the community ami county and in his public ca- 
pacity has served his fellow citizens faithfully. 



JAMES PEDROTTI. 

One of the thrifty ami enterprising dairymen of Napa county is James 
Pedrotti, who has been a resident of this county since 1907, and during 
this time has established a splendid business. He was born in Guimaglio, 
Canton Ticino, Switzerland. December 28, 1850, and for sixteen years he 
resi.led there. Coming- to the United States about 1867, by way of Panama he 
came to San Francisco, reaching that city with $25 in his pocket. Finding 
that prospects for work were not very promising in San Francisco he went to 
Virginia City, New, ami worked there for two years. Returning to Cali- 
fornia he mined in Eldorado county for ten months and then passed three 
months in Sacramento. His next move was to Bolinas Bay, Marin county. 
where for a time he worked in a dairy and then commenced in the same 
business for himself, running an establishment with over eiehtv cows for 
nineteen years. For six years the same vocation was followed in Olema, 
Marin county, and later he moved to Duncan Mills, Sonoma county, to con- 
duct for himself a large dairy and creamery, having over two hundred cows 
for this purpose. Finally, in 1 ( K)7. he came to Napa county and purchased 
seven hundred and ninety-five acres of land, upon which he established a 
dairy in the Soscol district, three miles south of Napa, the place being 
known as Pedrotti ranch. Here he also set out an orchard and vineyard. 
In addition to the dairy mentioned, which is maintained by one hundred and 
twenty-five cows, Mr. Pedrotti also has a dairy ranch of ninety acres in 
Bolinas. 

In Bolinas. August 19, 1877. Mr. Pedrotti married Mary E. McGovern. 
a native of Petaluma, and of the eleven children born to them nine are living: 
Eva, wife of Peter Pedrotti. of Lakeville ; Stephen, who married Bertha 
Wilson and now resides in Visalia with their three sons; Katherine ; Samuel, 
who manages the ranch for his father; Martin. Angelina, Merlin, Eunice and 
Rubie. Mr. Pedrotti is a Republican and served as a member of the Napa 
county grand jury in 1909. He is a member of United Ancient Order of 
Druids. Duxbury Grove Lodge No. 26, of Bolinas, joining in 1874, and 
i- now the only living charter member. Although a resident of Xapa 
county for only a little more than four years, Mr. Pedrotti is alive to the 
development of his community and assists in every way possible to better 
conditions. 



JAMES S. LOCK IE. 

One of the notably progressive and up-to-date livery establishments of 

ino county is that owned and operated by James S. Lockie, of Fairfield. 

a former rancher of many years' experience, and a resident of this valley 

since his tenth year. He was born in 1864 in Gray county, Canada. The 

family long had been identified with farming interests in that country and 

there' his father. Thomas Lockie. was born in 1831 and his mother, Jane 

Lockie. in 1835. The family came to the Suisun valley during the summer 

~ : . and here the mother died in 188'). the father surviving until l" 1 '!. 

The education of Mr. Lockie was that afforded by the district scho 



906 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



of Suisun valley, but hard work on the parental farm engaged the most of 
his attention, and laid the foundation of industry, which since has proved 
his most valuable asset. For eighteen years he devoted himself solely to 
general farming, and in 1906 invested his earnings in his present enterprise, 
known as the Fairfield livery stable, which he purchased from the former 
owner, Mr. Mayfield. His equipment comprises the vehicles required by 
a first class and exacting trade, but his special pride centers in his horses, 
which not only are well bred and of fine appearance, but are especially well 
cared for. Courtesy and consideration towards patrons is encouraged and 
insisted upon in this stable, and as a result a steady trade is maintained, 
covering not only the town, but a large country area. 

In 1887 Mr. Lockie was married to Lillie Newton, a native of Oregon, 
and of the union there are three children: Ernest E., born January 10, 1888, 
and now with his father in the livery business; Gertrude, born July 31, 1892, 
now a student in the local school ; and Mina, born in 1897, also attending 
school. Mr. Lockie's application to business precludes activity in fraternal 
organizations, and he also is disinclined politically, although as a stanch 
Republican he has advanced the cause of practical education as a member 
and clerk of the school board, and he is also a member of the board of 
trustees of Fairfield. 



ARTHUR PAGE NOYES. 

Wholly in keeping with the character and attainments of his worthy 
father, Gen. Henry E. Noyes, prominent in both the Civil and Spanish- 
American wars, the exemplary principles and high ambitions of Arthur P. 
Noyes, united with his unquestioned ability in his profession, have won 
him his present position of trust and honor as city engineer and superin- 
tendent of streets of Vallejo. 

Gen. Henry E. Noyes was born in Belfast, Me., where he received his 
preliminary education, afterward being appointed a cadet and graduating 
from West Point Military Academy in 1861. Upon being appointed lieu- 
tenant of the Second Dragoons, cavalry, he entered active service in the 
strife between the North and the South, receiving promotion to the rank 
of major before the close of the war. Later, stationed at various forts on 
the frontier, he assisted in quelling many Indian uprisings, discharging his 
duty with his characteristic courage and ability. During the Spanish-Amer- 
ican war, also, he served as colonel of the Second United States Cavalry, 
later being appointed governor-general of the province of Santa Clara, Cuba, 
during the American occupancy. July 1, 1901, he was commissioned briga- 
dier-general, retiring at Matanzas, Cuba, NoA^ember 16, 1901. having served 
continuously forty-four years in the military field. For the past eleven years 
General Noyes has quietly resided in his pleasant home in Berkeley, Cal., 
comforted in the afternoon of his life by the consciousness of having at all 
times performed his duty to the best of his ability. His wife, formerly Louise 
Walker, of a well known and highly respected Boston family, is also living 
and presides with grace over their home. 

Arthur P. Noyes, the eldest of four children, received his education 
under his parents' tutelage, spending his youth in frontier posts, including 
Medicine Bow, Wyo., where his birth occurred August 28, 1870. In 1887 
he entered the University of California, graduating in 1893 with the degree 
of civil engineer. Shortly thereafter he secured employment as a railroad 
surveyor in the service of the old San Francisco and San Joaquin Railroad, 
now the Santa Fe. Subsequently he was appointed by the United States 
Avar department to assist in surveying the Sacramento river from Red Bluff 
to Sacramento, and upon completion of this work, having successfully passed 
the civil service examination, he was appointed transit man at the Mare 




HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUN riES 907 

Island navy yard in 1897. In 1°00. under Vallejo's first charter, he received 
the appointment oi city engineer, and in 1907 relinquished his duties at the 
navy yard in order that he mighl devote all his time to hi*- engineering work. 
In 1911, under the new commission charter, lie was reappointed to his offi 
eial position, having served continuously, with the exception of two years, 
since 1900. He is also ex-officio superintendent of streets, conducting the 
affairs under his jurisdiction with the skill and ease of one accustomed to 
executive duties. 

The marriage of Mr. Noyes occurred in Berkeley, February 5. 1898, 
uniting him with Mis< Mary Sanborn, a native of Northwood, Rockingham 
county. X. II. Her father. Warren G. Sanborn, a civil engineer, served in 
the United States navy during the Civil war and was a classmate of William 
Hood i now chief engineer ^i the Southern Pacific Railroad) during their 
School days in L Imon College, New York. Mr. Sanborn served under him 
as assistant engineer of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, in charge 
of the construction of the railroad over the Siskiyou mountains, until he 
retired to his home in Berkeley, where he died. His wife, formerly Mar} 
E. Smith, also of Xew Hampshire, still resides in Berkeley. The eldest of 
their children was Mrs. Noyes, who was graduated from the University of 
California in 1892 witli the decree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Noyes have two children. Donald and Louise. They are active members of 
the Episcopal Church and Mr. Noyes is associated with Vallejo Lodge No. 

B. P. O. E. He was one of the organizers of the Solano County Auto- 
mobile Club, of which he is president. He is also president of the Four 
Counties State Highway Association, which was formed to secure the con- 
struction of the state highway through Sacramento. Solano. Napa and 
Sonoma counties. 



EDWARD H. McMILLAN. 

A native of Solano county, Edward H. McMillan was born in Vacaville, 
February 13, 1856. When he was two years old his parents removed to 
Plainfield. Yolo county, where he attended public schools until he was six- 
teen years old. Then going to Oakland, he took a course of training in the 
California Military College, after which he prepared himself for commercial 
life by taking a course in Heald's Business College, graduating with honors. 
He then held a position as bookkeeper for a year or more, after which he 
bought an interest in a grocery business in 1878. and. under the name of 
McMillan & Cox. established a business at the corner of Seventh and Market 
streets. Oakland. For the following six years he was actively interested in 
building up the business, and then, on account of ill health, he was obliged 
to give up active work in it. He retained his interest in the business, how- 
ever, until 1905. when he sold out. In 1884. with health broken, he came to 
Vacaville. and after remaining here for one year, went to his ranch in Yolo 
county, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1897 he sold his 
interests in that county and began raising fruit near Vacaville, a business 
which he still follows, having a full bearing ranch of twenty-five acres all 
in prunes, which is considered one of the finest ranches in the county. 

In 1880 Mr. McMillan was married to Miss Olive Ora Davis, a native 
of Yaca valley, and three children were born to them. Robert Boone, born 
in Oakland November 1. 1881. after graduating from the Vacaville high 
school studied law with Samuel Shortridge in San Francisco and was admitted 
t«» the bar in 1902; he is now engaged in the practice of law in Vacaville. 
In 1908 he was married to Miss Laura Drye. Edward Houston. Jr., was 
in Oakland in 1884 and was educated in the Vacaville schools; he married 
Ilcffie P.razelton and now manages his father's ranch. Alice Elaine, born in 



908 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Yolo county February 28, 1888, died January 22, 1911. The mother of these 
children passed away in March, 1889. 

The father of E. H. McMillan, Robert Boone McMillan, was born in 
Kentucky in 1822 and migrated to California in 1849. He did not remain 
here long, but returned to Missouri and in 1852 brought back cattle. He 
was a rugged character and a man of great perseverance, being well qualified 
to do the strenuous pioneering work that he was called to do. In 1854 he 
married a native of Ireland, Miss Margaret McGary, and settled in the Vaca 
valley. For some years he was engaged in the cattle business and in 1862 
met a tragic death, being drowned in the memorable flood of that year, near 
his own home near Davisville. The mother reared the family and died in 
Oakland in 1893. 

Mr. McMillan was made a Mason in Vacaville Lodge No. 134, F. & A. M., 
Vacaville Chapter No. 81, R. A. M., Vacaville Commandery No. 38, K. T., 
of which he is recorder. For the past twenty-five years he has served effi- 
ciently as a trustee of the school board. 



JULIUS LAMBRECHT. 

Denmark has contributed to the citizenship of California in Julius Lam- 
brecht, who was born in that country in 1857. For seventeen years his ex- 
periences centered around his birthplace, where he attended the public schools 
and afterward worked on a farm for his father, until his departure for Amer- 
ica. Reaching California, Mr. Lambrecht located in Solano county, and in 
the Suisun valley he worked for wages for five years. At the end of this 
time he rented land and farmed successfully on his own account for sixteen 
years. He then bought the land that he now owns, situated five miles east 
of Fairfield. Here he carries on general farming, raising those commodities 
best suited to the soil. 

About twenty-six years ago Mr. Lambrecht was married to his present 
wife, who is a native of Denmark, and eight children were born to them, 
five of whom are now living, as follows : Vigo, who is learning the car- 
penter's trade; Aksel, assisting his father; Helma, Emery and Myrtle. Mr. 
Lambrecht's parents are both deceased. Fraternally he is a member of Fair- 
field Lodge, K. of P., and politically he is a Republican. 



HENRY EDWARD HAY. 

Although a native of England, having been born within sound of Bows 
Bells, London, in 1862, Henry Edward Hay has spent the most of his life 
in California, being four years old when brought to America. His father, 
John Hay, a native of Scotland, was one of the pioneers of Solano county 
and is now living at Elmira, where he located after passing four years in 
San Francisco. His wife, Elizabeth (Page) Hay, a native of England, shares 
with him those comforts best calculated to make the twilight of life bright 
and cheerful. 

Henry Edward Hay was educated in the public schools of Solano county 
and has followed ranching all of his life. He has made a study of his voca- 
tion and has made the most of the advantages and opportunities that came 
to him. In addition to general farming he also maintains a dairy, supplied 
by ten cows, and he also raises hogs and cattle for the market. In addi- 
tion to his ranching he is also a carpenter and in doing this work he finds 
a pleasure as well as a source of income that is always acceptable. He is 
one of a family of eleven, having five brothers and five sisters, all living. 

In 1892 Mr. Hay was married to Miss Blanche Bulkley, who was born 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 911 

near Dixon, Solano count), and two children were born to them. Robert 
Bruce, born in 18 l) ,\ is assisting his lather on the ranch; he was educated 
in the local schools, as \\a> also his sister. Elaine Adell. 



PATRICK GILLON. 

The enterprises of a growing city attract men into varied lines oi 
activity. Some there are who identify themselves with industrial develop- 
ment, others enter the professional arenas and numerous individuals devote 
their attention to commercial affairs, while a few finance the undertakings 
necessary to permanent civic progress. It was the field of public and political 
interests that won and retained the close attention of the late Patrick Gillon, 
one oi the early settlers of Vallejo and for many years a prominent Memo 
crat of Solano county. Native endowments qualified him for the intricacies 
of politics and no one enjoyed more than did he the excitement incident to 
primaries, conventions and local campaigns. Shrewd Irish wit and a keen 
sense of humor carried him safely through the most difficult situations 
and made his presence and counsel effective in the gatherings of his party. 
while among all citizens he retained a host of friends of varied political 
sentiments. 

From his home country of Ireland, where he was born in 1824 and where 
his ancestors had lived for unnumbered generations, Patrick Gillon came 
to the United States at the age of fourteen years after a brief sojourn in 
England. For a time he lived in the south and worked as a hand on a 
plantation. About 1851 he became a pioneer of California and for the first 
time saw Vallejo. then a small hamlet of little importance or promise. One 
<<i his most important experiences of the early days was in connection with 
the visit ni Admiral Farragut and to the last years of his life Mr. Gillon 
loved to tell the incidents of that memorable occasion, in which he bore a 
part. Being a landscape gardener, he assisted in laying out the park and 
gardens at Mare Island navy yards. For some years he conducted a grocery 
business in Vallejo and at other times various commercial undertakings 
engaged his attention, but he allowed no personal interest to lessen his 
participation in public activities. To the last he remained a large contributor 
to local Democratic success. At the time of his arrival in Vallejo the build- 
ing up of Mare Island had begun and the government was furnishing em- 
ployment to mechanics and carpenters in large numbers, so that the com- 
munity was taking on life and activity. 

It was the wise management of Patrick Gillon that made him well-to-do, 
for when he first came to Vallejo he invested in unimproved property that 
constantly increased in value. When he died in August of 1907 he left a 
valuable estate to his heirs. Coming to the west a young unmarried man, 
he established domestic ties in 1857. at which time he married in San 
Francisco Miss Mary Ann Roche, a native of Ireland. Ten children were 
born of their union, but only two of these are now living, namely: Mrs. 
J. P. Scully, of Vallejo ; and Miss Jennie A., who owns and occupies the 
old homestead. The children were born and reared in this city and re- 
ceived such advantages as the local schools afforded. Their mother died in 
1896. eleven years before the passing of the father and both received the 
devoted attention of their daughters during their declining days, the one at 
home. Miss Jennie, giving them the whole of her time and care and minister- 
ing attention. The descendants in the second generation are now bearing 
their part in the enterprises of Vallejo and one of these grandchildren. Frank 
Powers, who was an especial favorite with Mr. Gillon, filled the office of 
city attorney for four years and proved unusually capable in the discharge 
of his duties. He is now practicing law in San Francisco. 



912 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



JESSE L. HEALY. 

A descendant of Revolutionary ancestors, Jesse L. Healy is proud of 
the fact that he is a native son of California. He was born at Benicia, Solano 
county, in 1883, the son of Dr. John Healy, who came to California in the 
early '60s and is practicing medicine in San Francisco. His grandfather, 
Capt. Jesse Healy, who served in an Ohio regiment in the Civil war, was 
closely associated with the late President James A. Garfield, they having 
been personal friends in Ohio, and members of the same church. He was 
also personally acquainted with President Lincoln. Mr. Healy's great-grand- 
mother on his father's side was the daughter of Francis Hopkinson, one of 
the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His mother's father. Dr. 
Barlow J. Smith, was a pioneer doctor in Napa county and besides an ex- 
tensive practice, managed a ranch and devoted some time to farming. He 
conducted a fine sanitarium known as the Nebon ranch. 

Mr. Healy's boyhood days were spent in Oakland, where he attended 
the public and high schools, after which he took a commercial course in 
Heald's Business College and then a two-year course in the University of 
California. With his mother Mr. Healy came to Napa valley in 1903 and 
purchased the Levi George ranch at Yountville, now known as El Nido 
Hermoso, located on the St. Helena road eight miles north of Napa. The 
ranch comprises one hundred and fifty-five acres, of which eighty-five are 
in fruit trees, as follows : forty acres in prunes, twenty acres in peaches now 
in bearing, fifteen acres in pears, and ten acres in vineyard. Besides, he has 
thirty acres in grapes, which yield an average of six tons to the acre. 

In 1905 Mr. Healy married Miss Sadie F. Foster, a native of Blue Canon, 
Placer county, Cal., and the daughter of John and Sarah (Ellen) Foster, 
natives of New York and Massachusetts, respectively. Mr. Foster was first 
a miner in Placer county and later a horticulturist near Napa,' continuing 
there until his death. His wife still resides on the ranch. Mrs. Healy was 
reared and educated in Napa. She is the mother of two children, Edward 
and Walter. 



JOHN E. GLENDON. 

An example of virile, constructive and many sided citizenship is afforded 
in the career of John E. Glendon, one of Benicia's youngest and most successful 
merchants, and a promoter of much that has established the community as one 
of the most cosmopolitan and progressive in the coast country. Mr. Glendon 
is a native of Benicia, born in 1870, the son of John E. Glendon, Sr., a native 
of Ireland, who came to New York in a sailing vessel when a mere boy. He 
was variously employed in the east until the early '50s, when his spirit of 
adventure found an outlet as a soldier in the Indian campaign of General 
Crook in Arizona and New Mexico. He arrived in California in 1857, and 
settling in Benicia was employed by the government at the Benicia Arsenal 
as engineer, continuing thus until his death in 1898. 

In Benicia, John E. Glendon spent his boyhood, and attended Sacred 
Heart College of San Francisco. With the exception of this absence he 
never has wandered from his home town. Eighteen years ago he established 
his present dry-goods business, conducting it on such strictly modern lines 
as to attract attention and patronage from the most exacting. His political 
enthusiasm won for him election to the office of city treasurer of Benicia when 
he was barely twenty-one years old, a record not surpassed by any other in 
the history of the city. This position he held with unquestioned credit for 
sixteen years, at that time resigning to take the office of county supervisor, to 
which he was elected in 1906. So satisfactory were his services in this 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 913 

capacity that he succeeded himself to the office in 1910. He is a progressive 

Democrat, ami is a capable ami efficienl official. 

Mr. Glendon was married in Benicia in 1905 to Miss E. Kelley, a native 
of New York City, who is his able assistant in his many undertakings and 
enterprises. Mr. Glendon's civic ideals are of a high order, and have resulted 
in many innovations in the city, lie organized, and is president of the Busi- 
- Men's Association <^\ Benicia, an enterprise which has flourished beyond 
all expectations since its foundation in 1969. He also was the organizer and 
is vice-president of the Benicia and Martinas Ferry Company. Fraternally 
he is connected with Vallejo Lodge No. 559, B. P. 6. E.. Solano Tribe. I. O. 
R. M.. and Benicia Aerie. T. O. E. 



WILLIAM C. FRAHM. 

A native son of California. William C. Frahm was born in Dixon. Solano 
county, in 1877. the son of Claus and Margaret Hansen) Frahm. both natives 
of Sleswig-Holstein, Germany. The mother was the first to make her home 
in this country, having been brought to Dixon in 1858. when she was two 
and a half years old. Eleven years afterward the father came to California 
and settled in the San Joaquin valley, and their marriage occurred in 1876. 

Early in life William C. Frahm showed those national qualities that char- 
acterized his parents. Until he was eighteen years old he attended the public 
and hisfh school in Dixon, and while still attending school he worked as a 
clerk in a general merchandise store that he might the better fit himself for 
the duties of life. After graduating from high school he worked as a clerk in 
the general merchandise store of Eppinger & Co.. and after leaving their 
employ removed to San Francisco. Cal.. and obtained employment with 
Baker & LTamilton. wholesale dealers in hardware. He remained with the 
latter firm for twelve years altogether, first as clerk and for seven years as 
traveling salesman, during this time endearing himself to his superiors as 
well as to his fellow employes, by his application to his work and his genial 
manner. 

In 1907 Mr. Frahm came to Yacaville and bought into the firm now known 
as Schroeder & Frahm. Today this firm has the most complete and up-to-date 
hardware store in Solano and adjoining counties. There is nothing in the 
hardware line that cannot be purchased in their splendidly appointed store, 
and patrons speak well of the kind and courteous treatment accorded all who 
trade with this firm. 

In 1905 Mr. Frahm married Miss Georgine Wulff. a native of California, 
born and reared in Oakland. Fraternallv Mr. Frahm is a member of Yaca- 
ville Lodge No. 134. F. & A. M.. Yacavi'lle Chanter No. 81. R. A. M.. while 
he and his wife hold membership in the Order of Eastern Star, and he is also 
identified with San Francisco Lodge No. 3. B. P. O. E. Mr. Frahm is looked 
upon as one of the leading citizens of Yacaville and although he has never 
held anv public office, he has ever interested himself and others in those 
matters pertaining to the most efficient development of the city in which he 
lives. 



T. CLARK FAWVER. 

The unique experience of traveling across the broad plains of a great 
continent at the early atje of three months is one that comes to few people. 
J. Clark Fawver was born in Missouri in 1863. and when he was three months 
old his parents. Thomas and Fannie (Dunn) Fawver (an account of whose 
lives appears elsewhere), began the long and tedious trip acm-s the plains to 



914 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



California. They settled at Yountville, where J. Clark passed his boyhood 
and gained his early education in the public schools. When he had com- 
pleted the curriculum afforded by that institution he sought further learning 
in the Oak Mound College of Napa. 

Having completed his college life Mr. Fawver determined to follow agri- 
cultural pursuits and became identified with his father in ranching at Yount- 
ville. In 1895 he returned to Napa and rented the Eschol ranch on the St. 
Helena road in Napa valley, and some years later he purchased the ranch. 
This ranch is located five miles north of Napa, on the St. Helena road, and 
comprises two hundred and eighty acres of land. Two hundred acres are in 
grapes, and the remainder is devoted to general farming, the ranch forming 
one of the largest individual properties of the kind in the county. The ranch 
was at one time known as the Emerson ranch and was later owned by the 
Goodman brothers. Mr. Fawver conducts a winery, which is in splendid con- 
dition, and has a capacity of two hundred and fifty thousand gallons, dry wines 
being his specialty. Besides the Eschol ranch he owns the old home place at 
Yountville, comprising ninety-seven acres all in grapes. These are brought 
to Eschol and manufactured into wine, and Mr. Fawver enjoys the distinction 
of being one of the largest viticulturists in the famous Napa valley. It is 
interesting to note that both of his ranches were paid for out of the profits of 
the grape industry, showing what can be accomplished in Napa. 

In Petaluma, Mr. Fawver was married to Miss Delia Bales, a native of 
Iowa. Fraternally he is associated with the Elks of Napa. He is compara- 
tively a young man, but from a business standpoint has achieved great success, 
which by his close application to business, his integrity and honesty of pur- 
pose, bid fair to reach still greater proportions, and young men of today would 
do well to emulate his example. 



HON. CYRENUS B. DENIO. 

As one of the pioneers of Vallejo who took an active part in the early 
history and upbuilding of the city and one who always had the best inter- 
ests of the public welfare at heart, mention should be made of Hon. Cyrenus 
Blackman Denio. Born and reared in Canandaigua, Ontario county, N. Y., 
he set out in young manhood for what was then considered one of the west- 
ern states, making settlement in Illinois, and in Galena he found ample op- 
portunity to apply his knowledge of the mason's trade, and from the first 
engaged successfully in contracting and building. From the founding of the 
Republican party he was one of its adherents and was personally acquainted 
with Abraham Lincoln, with whom he was closely associated during his his- 
torical debates with Douglas in northern Illinois and had a seat on the ros- 
trum. In 1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln to the position of fore- 
man mason at the Mare Island navy yard, the same position which one of 
his sons now occupies. 

Among the children in the parental family was a son, Frank Marion 
Denio, who was a blacksmith and horse-shoer and a very prominent horse 
fancier. . He was a man of wide acquaintance and the news of his death in 
1904 was the occasion of general mourning among those who were privi- 
leged to know him, scattered far and near throughout the state. 

Another son of the family is M. H. Denio, who was born in Galena, 111., 
and has been a resident of Vallejo since 1862. Educated in the public schools 
of this city, he subsequently apprenticed himself to the trade in which his 
father had been so successful, and under his training became equally pro- 
ficient. He continued to follow his trade until his appointment to his present 
position as foreman mason at the Mare Island navy yard, July 31, 1891. 








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HISTORY CM-" Sol WO WD NAPA COUNTIES 917 

Politically he is a stanch Republican and can always be counted on to aid 

in any enterprise that has for its objeel the upbuilding and betterment of 
the community in which lie lives. Personally he is a man who is well liked 
by all. as was his father before him. The father died AugUSl 15, 1885. 



JOHN WOODS. 

When John Woods met an accidental death in the pursuit of his chosen 
occupation on November 18, 1893, California lost another ^\ those brave men 
who crossed the plains in the face o\ every known danger and started the 
nucleus oi what is enjoyed by the citizens n\ this Golden State at the present 
time, lie was horn in Drake county. Ohio, November 5, 1825. and there 
the family resided until in 1833, when they moved to Kosciusko county. End. 
There the father passed away and there the son received his education in the 
common schools. I e had been reared to farm pursuits and during his young 
manhood heard and read the wonderful story of the far western state and 
accordingly he made up his mind to see for himself and if satisfactory he was 
going to make his fortune in a short time and return to his home locality and 
spend his remaining days in peace and plenty. He joined a train that was 
preparing for the long overland journey, outfitting with wagon and oxen. 
After the long weary months spent en route the party finally arrived in the 
land o{ their dreams. Mr. Woods going direct to Xapa county, where he 
engaged in stock-raising and farming in Wooden valley, on about a section 
and which he owned. In 1851 he made a trip back to Indiana, but two 
years later he returned across the plains with ox-teams and settled in Wooden 
valley. The stock business was profitable at that time and he made a specialty 
of it there until 1861. That year marks his advent in Solano county, locating 
in the Suisun valley, which was ever after his home spot, and here he pre- 
pared land and decided to remain. 1 1 is first purchase was one hundred and 
sixty acres in 1867 and again a like number of acres was added in 1878. making 
three hundred and twenty acres in one ranch, three miles north of Fairfield. 
all now owned by the widow and devoted to grain and stock-raising. All the 
improvements that are seen on the place today were the result of Mr. Woods' 
energy and thrift, assisted by his good wife. 

Vs was natural for one so enterprising Mr. Woods was soon selected by 
his friends and associates to fill positions of honor and trust. He served as 
public administrator of Xapa county in 1855 : as assessor of Solano county in 
1875 and also held other offices. He was always a good friend of education 
and served on the school board for many years, as well as roadmastcr. It 
was in 1860 that he was united in marriage with Cynthia A., daughter of 
Jesse W. Aldrich. Mr. Aldrich, who was a native of Massachusetts, came to 
California in 185.? and settled in Solano county, where he successfully engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. He passed away in Capay. Yolo county, at an 
advanced age. and his wife. Sarah (Bates) Aldrich. who was born in Con- 
necticut, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Woods, in Fairfield. Mir 
only brother. Edgar, resides in Woodland. Mrs. Woods came to this State 
with her parents from Michigan, the trip being made by way of Panama on 
the Golden Gate, and landing in San Francisco May 1. 1857. In I860 she 
and Mr. Woods were united in marriage. Of this union six children were 
born. Nellie became the wif Samuel Munger and they reside in Orange 

county. Cal.. with their ten children; Warren married Miss Lillian Pang- 
burn, and they with their three children reside in Suisun. where Mr. 
Woods is serving as postmaster; Clara. Mrs. George Miller, lives in Solano 
county: Sarah married William Potts and has one child, they residing in 
Modesto, Cal.; John E. married Verdie Camp and they with their four chil- 
dren reside in Fruitvale, Cal.; and Mary is at home with her mother. 



^ 



918 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



In 1867, when Mr. Woods made his first purchase of land in the Suisun valley, 
there had been but few household goods collected, and all of them were hauled 
to the new home in a small spring wagon. It was by good management and 
persevering efforts on the part of Mr. and Mrs. Woods that they were able 
to accumulate a large acreage of land and that she has been able to distribute 
two thousand six hundred and forty acres to her children. She still retains 
the home ranch for herself, besides owning a home in Fairfield. Mr. Woods 
met an accidental death November 18, 1893, when he was rolling a grain 
field ; his horses becoming frightened he was thrown from his seat and the 
heavy roller passed over his body and killed him. His death was not only a 
deep sorrow and irreparable loss to his family, but to the entire community as 
well, for he was a man who made and retained friends and his every action 
was above reproach. Though he has gone from his family and friends his 
memory will ever remain and the good deeds of his life will always be worthy 
of emulation by his descendants. He was a Mason, and politically a Repub- 
lican, and as an enterprising citizen was in favor of and supported all measures 
for the public good. Since his death Mrs. Woods has proven a good manager 
and has carried on the vast interests with decided success and now in her 
days of rest can look back over a life well spent and forward without fear, 
for she has lived up to the golden rule in every way, and has always been a 
true helpmate to her husband, a kind and indulgent mother to her children 
and a friend and neighbor who will always be remembered. 






WILLIAM DENNING. 

Prominent among the early pioneers of California, those who fought 
difficult battles and overcame many hardships to do the frontier work and 
make our glorious state what it is today, was the southern gentleman, William 
Denning, and he was well repaid for the struggles of his younger days in 
this then primitive land, by the financial and material success which attended 
his efforts and gave him comfortable ease in his older days. Born in Ten- 
nessee, October 25, 1820, he spent the first twenty years of his life in that 
state, where he received his early education and moral and economic training 
under the parental roof. At the age of twenty years he decided to make a 
way for himself in the world, and accordingly he went to White River, Mo., 
and from there to Independence, whence, urged on by the gold fever which 
had spread through the middle west and southern states, he sought his for- 
tune in California in 1849. He came with a number of companions with 
ox teams, the trip being marked by many hardships. A number of the party 
fell ill, and Mr. Denning was among the unfortunates. Arriving in the Napa 
valley he was for some time employed by John York. Then he went to 
Calistoga, where he worked for Henry Fowler. 

Mr. Denning married Miss Phoebe A. Howell at Howell Mountain. She 
is a daughter of Isaac and Margaret (Tunnison) Howell, natives of Illinois, 
who crossed the plains with ox teams as early as 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Den- 
ning became the parents of seven children, John R., Isaac, Frances M., Arzelia, 
Minnie, Phoebe and Nellie. Isaac married Anna Ridgway, and they have 
one son, William. Frances married James Pool and they have three chil- 
dren. Arzelia married Thomas Flardin. Nellie married Lanson Carmicheal 
and bore him a daughter, Nellie M. Minnie married Joseph Money and 
they have two daughters. Phoebe married Henry Lutley and they have 
six children. 

After his marriage, Mr. Denning leased the property where his widow 
now lives. He purchased an additional one hundred acres and later added 
to his holdings a tract of one hundred and twenty acres. The splen- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO VND NAPA COUNTIES 919 

did land opportunities offered in the period under consideration induced him 
to pre-empt other land until he had in all eight hundred acres. A stock 
business oi considerable dimensions was conducted on this large ranch, in- 
volving the handling of cattle, horses and hogs. On the Denning home place 
there is a two-acre orchard of fruit for family use. and a vineyard, both of 
which have been planted fifty years. 

Although busily engaged in conducting the affairs of his large estate, 
Mr. Denning found ample time for public, social and religious duties. For 
twelve years he served the community as school trustee, and fraternally he 
was a Mason. For twenty-two years he was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and an anient and zealous worker for all its varied interests. 
In his later years he was afflicted with a throat disease, to which he suc- 
cumbed in 1888. His estate was divided among his heirs, who honor his 
memory as that of one strong, courageous, true and always responsive to the 
tried and the troubled. 



CARL E. WICKSTROM. 

An excellent example of the progressive and public spirited citizen is 
Mr. Wickstrom, whose courage and high ambition, united with generous 
principles and unfailing consideration for others, have won the warm regard 
of his many friends and associates. His father. Johann Wickstrom, of an 
old and respected Swedish family, was born in Dalene. Sweden, and in the 
iron works learned the trade of puddler. Later, he served on contract six 
years in the foundry at Laurvick. Norway, subsequently returning to Sweden, 
where, in Motala. he passed away. His wife, Christene Wickstrom, also 
spent her last years in that city. 

Carl Wickstrom was one of five children, three of whom are now living, 
and is the only member of the family residing in America, lie was born 
February 3. 1844. in Laurvick. Norway, and spent his youth in Motala, 
where he attended public school until the age of thirteen years and six months, 
thereupon becoming an apprentice in the largest machine shop in Europe 
at that time. The general manager of this foundry was John Erickson, who 
later superintended the construction of the famous Monitor that sank the 
Merrimac at Hampton Roads. Upon completing his trade Mr. Wickstrom 
immigrated to the United States, sailing from Gottenburg and landing on 
the shores of Quebec. Canada, in 1863. After working a month in Montreal 
he journeyed to Chicago, 111., where for some time he was employed at his 
trade. In 1864 he became an employe in the United States navy yard at 
Charleston and Memphis, and was in the latter at the time it was destroyed 
by fire. He was then transferred to the railroad shops in Memphis and con- 
tinued there until 1866. Coming to California that year by way of the Isthmus, 
he soon afterward secured employment in the Santa Clara valley as engineer 
on a threshing engine. January 1. 1867, he became an employe in the Southern 
Pacific Railroad shops at Sacramento, he being one of six machinists then 
in the company's shops at that place. Later he served as locomotive engi- 
neer, and still later was appointed foreman of the roundhouse at Lathrop, 
Cal. In 1884 he was transferred to the roundhouse in South Vallejo, serving 
until 1906. when upon his request he was retired, since which period he has 
devoted his time to his various business interests. 

Mr. Wickstrom was married in San Francisco, in October, 1875, to Miss 
Mary Olsen. born near Christiania. Norway, and who died August 19, 1905, 
in Yallejo. Their two children are Lillian A., wife of Oscar Atwood of 
Stockton, and Carl A., who is actively interested in a machine shop in Napa. 

In the fall of 1905 Mr. Wickstrom made a trip to his native land and in 
May. 1008. he repeated the journey, visiting also Denmark, England and 



920 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Germany. He is a Mason of the Royal Arch degree, and also holds member- 
ship in Vallejo Lodge No. 559, B. P. O. E. A Republican in politics, he 
maintains an intelligent interest in political developments. 




WILLIAM D. BROWN. 

We are privileged here to present the interesting history of a pioneer. Wil- 
liam D. Brown was born in Montgomery, Mo., May 26, 1830, and lived there 
until the year 1861, when, in company with others who were desirous of avail- 
ing themselves of the privileges and advantages of the western country then 
just opening to settlement and improvement, he entered upon a long and 
arduous journey across the deserts and prairies to the state of California. 
They started out with an ox-team train and some mules, and during the 
five months consumed in the trip experienced many hardships and underwent 
much privation. At one stage in the journey there was burned, just in front 
of them, an ox-team train and the animals were captured, the deed being the 
work of one of the gangs of marauding pirates who infested the way. At 
another time William D. Brown was one of the scouts detailed to go ahead 
of the train to observe the movements of a band of Indians who were men- 
acing his outfit. The train proceeded slowly on its way and came cautiously 
to the west via the Platte, Salt Lake City and the old Oregon trail, finally 
halting at Corvallis, Ore. There Mr. Brown remained for a time, farming; 
then, hearing that better opportunities were open to farmers in California, 
he came to Colusa county, where for some time he raised sheep with good 
success. But agriculture appealed more to him than wool growing. From 
his advent in the county he was a leader among farmers. 

He married Mrs. Ada Simpson, born in Texas and the widow of John 
W. Simpson, of Kentucky. She survives him, living at Orland. He died near 
Williams, December 31, 1907. Although gone from the fields of time into 
the limitless depths of. eternity, Mr. Brown is not forgotten. Kindly memory 
perpetuates to his loved ones the lesson of his righteous life, and wafts afar 
the fragrance of his loving disposition. 

By her first marriage Mrs. Brown had two children, George W. and 
Mary (Mrs. H. Kraft, of Maxwell). She bore her second husband Esther, 
Mrs. W. E. Dunlap of Williams. George W. Simpson was born near Orland 
July 4, 1876, and has given his active years to farming. He married Audrey 
Smith, a native of Orland, Cal., and has three sons, John W., George Otho 
and James D. The family moved from Williams in February, 1910, having 
purchased forty acres of land five miles north of Dixon, and engaged in 
dairying. On their place there is a modern pumping plant, a good house 
and an ample barn. Twenty-five acres are devoted to alfalfa. Mr. Simpson 
is a member of the Native Sons and of the Baptist Church. 



WILEY T. SNEED. 

A native son of the state, Mr. Sneed was born in Napa valley, May 1, 
1858, five miles north of Napa city, and is now engaged in ranching the old 
home place. He is the son of Wiley and Mary (Young) Sneed, the former 
having been born in Virginia in 1804, and the latter in Kentucky in 1826. 
In 1850 the parents crossed the plains with ox teams and made settlement in 
Sonoma valley, Sonoma county. Three years later they settled in Napa 
valley and purchased the ranch above described and made it their perma- 
nent home. Both parents are now deceased, his father having died in 1872 
and the mother in March, 1908. 

Wiley T. Sneed is a worthy son of worthy parents. He determined 



HISTORY OF SOLANO UJD NAPA COUNTIES 923 

early in life to secure a good education; hence after attending school in 
Oakland he entered Oak Mound College of Napa. After completing his 
schooling he engaged in farming on the old home ranch where he was born. 
His ranch consists of one hundred and sixteen acres in splendid condition. 
lie early discerned the advantages and large profits accruing from horti- 
culture, and he now has twenty the acres in fruit trees of various kinds, 
including prunes, peaches and pears, rhese are cultivated according to the 
latest improved methods and his prune crop for 1**1 1 averaged between three 
and four tons to the acre. 

In 1871 Mr. Snced was married to Miss Lucilla Carson, a native of So- 
noma county. Her family name is one well known to all readers of Cali- 
fornia history and the story of the early days in the west. Her father was 
Lindsey Carson, a brother oj the famous Kit Carson. Two children have 
been born of this union: Virginia Carson and Roy Glover. 



JOHN WALKER. 

One of the most expert and best known horticulturists of the Napa 
valley was John Walker, who was the firsl man to plant prunes in his section 
of the valley. He made a study of his business and consequently became 
an authority on the subject. He died August 20, 1894, and is tenderly re- 
membered by loved ones, and many of the older residents in the locality have 
reason to remember him because of his sterling characteristics. 

John Walker was born in Frankfort. Herkimer county, N. Y., December 
1834. He received a common school education and displayed much as- 
siduity in the pursuit of his studies. In 1855 he became a pioneer settler in 
Minnesota. When the gold excitement at Pike's Peak broke out, he with 
others formed a party to visit the Eldorado and enrich themselves by mining. 
They crossed the plains for this purpose, but after mining for a time with 
indifferent success Mr. Walker returned east to Iowa. Later he went to 
Omaha, Neb., having enlisted on the outbreak of the Civil war, but owing 
to sickness he did not see active service. Going to Minnesota, he resided 
there until 1875. when he came to California and for one year lived in 
Petaluma. Sonoma county. He then came to Napa county and bought a 
ranch of forty acres one mile northwest of Calistoga, and was one of the 
first to set out prunes in that section of the valley. Too much credit cannot 
be given Mr. Walker for the deep interest he took in horticulture. It was 
due t( his pioneering and experimenting in the industry, demonstrating the 
* adaptability of the soil and climate to the raising of prunes, that the men of 
lay of Calistoga and vicinity are reaping great benefits and profits. He 
was a well-known figure in social circles and a man who was ever ready to 
help those who needed a friend. Pie was a member of the Masonic order, 
having joined the lodge in Rochester. Minn., and being allied with the Calis- 
toga lodge in Xapa county. Politically he was a Republican. 

In November, 1866. Mr. Walker married Frances A. Murray, a native of 
New York, and one daughter was born to them. Gertrude. Mrs. Stratton of 
Oakland. Since the death of her husband, .Mrs. Walker has successfully 
managed the ranch, materially increasing the orchard and vineyard, and she 
is to be commended for her courage and enterprise. 



JAMES M. TODD. 

A decade of useful activity has identified Mr. Todd intimately with the 
ranching region surrounding Winters, but his association with the farming 
interests of the state began many years ago during his early manhood. For 



924 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



the long period of thirty-seven years he lived and labored as a farmer of 
Sonoma county, owning and operating a ranch in the vicinity of Petaluma, 
to which city he hauled wood during the summer and fall months covering 
the greater part of his residence there. It was his yearly custom, on the 
completion of the field and crop work, to begin to cut wood in Sonoma moun- 
tain and for weeks he exerted himself with the greatest diligence to provide 
for his regular customers their accustomed orders of wood. A methodical 
system of labor brought its ultimate reward of prosperity and enabled him 
to enjoy in life's afternoon the comforts rendered possible by earlier industry. 

The family represented by James M. Todd was established in the east 
several generations gone by and he is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 
Mercer county November 29, 1846. Primarily educated in that county, he 
later was a pupil in the schools of Lee county, Iowa, the family having 
removed thither Avhen he was a boy of ten years. The father was a 
carpenter by trade and followed that occupation throughout much of his life, 
but after going to Iowa he took up agricultural pursuits near Fort Madison 
and transformed a raw tract of land into a valuable farm. The sons were 
made familiar with farming in youth and devoted themselves to its activities, 
not caring to enter their father's trade. At the age of seventeen years James 
M. Todd came to California and proceeded from San Francisco to Sonoma 
county, settling in the vicinity of Petaluma, where he remained for thirty- 
seven years, as previously stated. 

The marriage of Mr. Todd united him with Mrs. Mary Jane Russell, 
the widow of Monroe Cook. Two daughters bless their union. The elder, 
Mary E., is the wife of F. C. Faure and the mother of one child. The younger, 
Edna P.. married B. E. Hoy and resides in Winters. By her first marriage 
Mrs. Todd had a family of four children, namely: W. E., Melvin, Delbert 
R. and Minnie E. (Mrs. Cook). Wishing to exchange his hill ranch for the 
level country and finding a chance to exchange for an orchard in Solano 
county, Mr. Todd moved here in 1901. The value at that time was placed 
at $5,000, but it has since doubled in conservative valuation. The fruit farm 
brings him a fair revenue in return for care and cultivation. The tract con- 
tains twenty-one and one-half acres, of which ten and one-fourth acres are 
in apricots and ten and three-fourths acres in peaches of choice varieties. 
During the season of 1910 the apricot orchard produced thirty tons of green 
fruit and eight and one-half tons of dried fruit. Eight and one-half tons of 
dried peaches were sold from the farm in the markets and twelve tons were 
sold to the cannery, the balance being packed and shipped east. It is antici- 
pated that the crop of 1911 will be of approximately the same size as that 
of 1910. The owner takes great pride in his fine little farm and believes 
it to be the peer of any of similar size in this part of the state. Both here 
and in Sonoma county he has taken no part in public affairs aside from 
voting the Republican ticket at national elections, it being his preference to 
devote his attention exclusively to private matters. However, his deep con- 
cern as to educational progress led him to consent to serve as school trustee 
and clerk of the board for eight years during his residence in Sonoma county. 
With his family he holds membership in the Presbyterian Church and con- 
tributes to its maintenance, as well as to other movements for the upbuilding 
of his community. 



JOHN C. WEINBERGER. 

Connected with the viticultural industry in Napa county until his de- 
cease in 1882, John C. Weinberger will be remembered as being a man of 
strong physique and indomitable courage. In fact, throughout his life he 
showed those characteristics of temperament and mind that are well known 



HISTORY OF Sol \\o \\D N \l'\ C< >UN in S 

as belonging to the race thai gave him birth. He was bom in Weisenburg, 
Bavi rermany, July 13, 1830, a son of Christian and Madaline (Rebes 

berger) Weinberger. He attended the common schools of his birthplace and 
remained with his parents until 1S4S. In the meantime, al the age ol four 
teen he was apprenticed al the confectionery business, which he Followed 
until March. 1848. \t this time he sel out for America and landed al New 
York the latter part of May. and there he worked at his trade until 1853. 
In that year he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked at the confectionery 
business for a time, after which he went to Indianapolis, lml.. ami began 
business on his own capital, lie continued this until 1865, when he pur 
chased a farm in connection with W. II. Ragan and commenced in the fruit 
and nursery business in Indianapolis and followed this for five years. 

In 18o ( > Mr. Weinberger came to California on a visit and was so phased 
with what he saw that he determined to devote his time and energy to build- 
ing up a business on the Pacific coast. Returning to Indiana in 1870, he 
disposed ^i his affairs and then migrated to California, settling on a ranch 
in Xapa valley, near St. Helena, ami thereafter devoting his attention to the 
manufacture of wine. In this he was successful, as he was in everything 
that he undertook to do. for he was a steady worker and one not easily 
deterred. On his ranch he built a fine wine cellar in 1876. He was a mem- 
ber of the Xapa County Viticultural Society. 

On January 27. 1860. Mr. Weinberger married Miss Anna V. Van Dok- 
kuni, oi Cincinnati, Ohio, a native of Paris. France, born November 5. 1838. 
One daughter. Minnie, was born to this union, December 27. 1861. Mrs. A. 
Y. Weinberger died in 1866, and in October. 1871, Mr. Weinberger married 
Miss Hannah E. Rabbc. a native of Xew Albany. Inch, born October 7. 1840. 
She was a daughter of John II. and Dorothea (Kloening) Rabbe. both na- 
tives of Hanover. Germany. The father was a merchant in Cincinnati, and 
there he and his wife both passed away. In that city also Mrs. Weinberger 
was reared and educated. She became the mother of the following children : 
Emelia. who died at the age of two years and six months; Hannah, a teacher 
at Liberty: Marie, who died at six years of age; and John C, in charge of 
the home place. 

On her husband's demise in 1882, Mrs. Weinberger took charge of the 
ranch and has proved herself a capable business woman. Her ranch com- 
prises over two hundred acres about one and a half miles from St. Helena. 
Her ability is not only used for the furtherance of her own interests, but 
also for the progress of the whole Xapa valley. She was the first president 
of the St. Helena Woman's Improvement Club, holding that office for five 
years, and is now the first vice-president. 



GEORGE W. HULEN. 

A pioneer of California and a man who has seen much of the world dur- 
ing his lifetime is George W. Hulen, who was born in Boone county. Mo., 
March 10, 1833, and that state continued to be his home until 1862. It was 
there that he was educated in the early schools of that day and locality and 
was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Schuyler county, assisting 
with the work and early learning the habits of thrift and industry as taught 
by his parents. William and Mary Hulen. When he was but five years old 
his parents moved to an adjoining county in Missouri and there he had op- 
portunity to attend school. In 1862 the family again made a move, this time 
going to Marion county. Iowa, where they farmed for two years. On May 
10. 1864. Mr. Hulen began the overland journey to California, which was 
marked by many thrilling adventures and dangers. Mr. Hulen was accom- 
panied by his wife, to whom he was married in Missouri on December 10. 



926 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 




1855, and who was in maidenhood Lucy Ann Hulett, a native Missourian and 
a daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Weldon) Hulett, natives respectively 
of Virginia and Kentucky. 

The party of which Mr. Hulen and his family were members crossed the 
Missouri river at Plattsmouth and kept on the well-beaten trail along the 
south side of the Platte river. Near the fort they had to cross the river, 
there about six miles wide. There being no ferry they caulked their wagon 
boxes and floated them across with their belongings in them. The current 
was so swift that they landed about six miles below their starting place. They 
had about five hundred head of stock and two hundred wagons, and there were 
about four persons to the wagon. All landed in safety, the men having 
made a purchase of a small boat for $60, with which they got the women of 
the party over the river. 

The emigrants continued their journey toward the Eldorado of their 
dreams and finally landed in California, via Mud Springs and Hangtown. 
From Hangtown they went to Elmira, where the Hulen family stopped and 
Mr. Hulen went to work for his brother-in-law, V. Howkins, on a ranch on 
Putah creek. Later for three years he farmed for himself on one hundred 
and sixty acres near that town, then went to San Joaquin county and remained 
six months. His next location was on one hundred and sixty acres on Maine 
Prairie, in Solano county, where he resided four years. He located in Dixon 
in 1874. For sixteen years he carried the United States mail from Dixon to 
Maine Prairie. He is now residing on four acres, his home place, in Dixon. 
Wherever he has made his home Mr. Hulen has gained the respect of those 
with whom he has had business dealings and numbers his friends by the 
hundreds. 

To Mr. Hulen his good wife has borne the following named children : 
Andrew J., Avho married Hattie Reece and with his wife and their seven 
children resides in Stockton, where he is engaged in the draying business; 
Stephen W., of Dixon; William F., who married Blanche Logan, who has 
borne him a son, the family residing in Roseburg, Ore. ; Joseph L., who married 
Irene Hill and with his wife makes his home in Wooden valley; Fielding C, 
at home ; George and Mary E., deceased ; Margaret M., who i c Mrs. William 
Cripps, of Suisun ; Emily F., who is Mrs. Clayton, of Wooden Valley ; and 
Lucy Edna (Mrs. A. Johnson), who lives near Dixon. 



FAY W. ROSE. 

A native of New York, Mr. Rose was born October 7, 1869, the son of 
Alexander and Caroline (Vahn) Rose. The father was a Scotchman, but 
having chosen this country as his home, he became a patriotic citizen and 
when the Civil war broke out he enlisted and did valiant service, participating 
in the second battle of Bull Run, as well as in other engagements, and at the 
close of the war received his honorable discharge. The parental family in- 
cluded five children : Henry, George, Fay W., May and Hattie. 

The first six and one-half years of Fay W. Rose's life were spent in his 
native state with his parents, after which he went to make his home with his 
sister and lived with her for three years. He was cast upon his own resources 
very early in life and at the age of ten years he began to work for wages on a 
farm, and thus acquired the training for the work he has followed ever since. 
Being determined to make his own way in the world in the freer and less 
hampered life of the far west, he came to California in 1887, having made a 
part of the long western journey in 1884, when he came as far as Rawlins 
county, Kan., where he worked on the farm for three years. Arriving in 
California, he located at Calistoga and for fourteen years worked on different 



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HISTORY OF SOLANO \\h \ \l'\ COUNTIES 929 

ranches. In 1903 he located at Rutherford, where he boughl fifteen acn 
land and engaged in horticulture. Besides this he also owns a ranch al 
Calistoga. Mr. Rose was married to Mi>- Ella Brown, a native of Calistoga, 
and the daughter of Edward and Anna (Sullivan) Brown, natives of [reland. 
Coming to the United States, they settled in Trey. \. Y., and in 1865 came to 
California and encased in farming at Calistoga. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have one 
son. David F. Mr. Rose is a man oi high principles, well liked by all who 
know him, and politically he is a Republican. 



OLE NELSON. 

The farm of Ole Nelson in the vicinity of Vacaville, Solano county, 
presents many evidences <<i the earnest, painstaking nature of its owner, as 
well as of his thorough adaptation to the occupation which has brought him 
more than an average measure of success, lie was horn on a farm near 
Aalsund, on the Starfjord, Norway, June 13. 18(4. and he was educated in 
the public schools of that town. Reared to rigid and necessary economy, 
to obedience to parents and loyalty to duties, at the age of twenty-two 
years, in 1886. he started out in the world on his own responsibility by 
coming to America. His resources were scant indeed at the time of his ar- 
rival in Santa Barbara, this state, but he soon found employment on a farm, 
and three years later started farming on his own account in Ventura 
county. At the end of fourteen years he disposed of his interests and came 

Solano county, where he purchased two hundred and fifteen acres near 
Fairfield, developing this into a paying and satisfying home. In 1911 he sold 
the place and located on a farm of three hundred and ninety-one acres which 
he had purchased four miles south of Vacaville. This is stock and ^rain 
land principally, and at the present time Mr. Nelson is engaged in raising 
horses and cattle. He is particularly interested in stock, and for a number 
of years past has made a specialty of Ayrshire cattle. However, he is rapidlv 
developing his land for horticultural purposes, setting out orchards of apri- 

5, prunes, pears and cherries. His barns, implements and general improve- 
ments indicate regard for the comfort and happiness of everything dependent 
upon him. as well as for the mere accumulation of money. 

In April 1890. Mr. Nelson was married to Elizabeth Peterson, also a 
native of Norway, and their union has been a happy one in that their aims 
have been one along lines of mental, social and material advancement. Their 
eldest child and only son. Harry, is attending the University of California 
at Berkeley, class of 1014. Mabel is attending the Armejo high school, class 
of 1912: Alma attending the same school as a member of the class of 1914. 
Mr. Nelson has held many offices within the gift of his fellow Republicans, 
and especially has influenced the trend of education as a member of the school 
board. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the 
Modern Woodmen of America. The family attend the Lutheran Church. 



RICHARD F. RAMMERS. 

For fourteen years Richard F. Rammers remained in his birthplace, 
Kirkwood, St. Louis county. Mo., in which city he was born in 1861. He 
received his education in the Christian Brothers I St. Louis. His 

first employment was in a plumbing and gas-fitting establishment, but love 
of an outdoor life led him to forsake his trade and for a time he herded stuck. 
In 1875 in 'company with his parents he came to San Francisco, ("al.. and 
three years later he moved to Los Angeles county, remaining there for four 

42 



930 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



years. Going to San Francisco he remained there for a time and in 1885 
went to St. Helena, Napa county, and three years later came to Vacaville. 
As agent for the Southern Pacific Company he went from place to place 
under their direction, and in the fall of 1891 he returned to Vacaville and 
has remained here ever since. He well remembers the earthquake that shook 
that city in 1892. 

After coming to California Mr. Rammers was employed as a rancher for 
a time and then, on removing to St. Helena, was made manager of the 
Western Union Telegraph Company of that place and in connection with 
this he ran a cigar store. After his removal to Vacaville he entered the em- 
ploy of the Clear Lake and Vacaville Railroad Company as assistant to 
Superintendent A. V. Stevenson. However, when this company sold to the 
Southern Pacific Railroad Company he held the position of relief agent for 
some time. On being returned to Vacaville he resigned his position August 
21, 1892, to accept the agency of the Wells Fargo Express Company, and 
the management of the Western Union Telegraph Company, which position 
he holds today. Mr. Rammers is a member of the Knights of Pythias; Wood- 
men of the World and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. 

On August 5, 1888, Mr. Rammers was married to Miss Eva Roberts, a 
native of Missouri, who was but one day old when her parents started for 
California with an ox-team train across the plains. To this union were born 
three children. Viola married Mortimer Thomas and now resides in Oak- 
land ; Richard G., born in Napa county in 1891,* and educated in Vacaville 
and St. Helena, now assists his father in the office of the Wells Fargo Com- 
pany; Henry T., born in Vacaville in 1897, is attending the local schools. 
Mr. Rammers was bereaved by the death of his wife July 7, 1911, sustaining 
a loss not only deeply felt by himself and children, but by her many friends 
in Solano and Napa counties. 



LOUIS KUEBELER. 

An experience with agricultural affairs in several portions of California 
qualified Mr. Kuebeler to form an accurate estimate of the possibilities of 
Napa county upon his removal to this region. So satisfied was he with pros- 
pects that, following a study of the soil and an experience with the climate 
while working for others, he decided to purchase property and locate here 
permanently. Since then he has become a landowner and ranks among the 
progressive fruit-growers in the vicinity of Rutherford. Since he purchased 
the twenty-five acres in 1906 he has erected a modern residence at a cost of 
$2,500 and has further improved the farm with barn, chicken houses and a 
windmill and tank giving him an abundance of water at all times. 

Born in Erie county, Ohio, June 10, 1870, Louis Kuebeler spent his boy- 
hood days with his parents at the old homestead and meanwhile attended the 
local schools. When twenty years of age he started out to earn his own way 
in the world and in 1892 he came to California on a tour of inspection. At 
that time he settled in San Joaquin county and worked on a farm, but at the 
expiration of five years he returned to his old Ohio home, where he secured 
employment and remained for two years. It was about the year 1899 when 
he came to California for the second time and he then engaged in ranching 
near Woodland, going thence to Alameda county, where he worked as a farm 
hand for two years. In 1906 he bought his present place in Napa county after 
having studied local conditions through employment on a ranch in the neigh- 
borhood. 

The twenty-five acres were bought for $125 per acre and a large sum has 
been expended upon the property since then, so that it now ranks among the 
most valuable in the community. Six acres are in a vineyard and it is the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND \.\ UN riES 93] 

owner's intention to put the balance oi the land under cultivation to vines, 

replacing the alfalfa and grain now raised. In fruit tree- there are one hun- 
dred and fifty sugar prunes and fifty of other varieties. Three head of Stock 
are kept Oil the farm and in poultry he now has seven hundred laying hens 
of the finest White Leghorn breed. It is his intention to increase the llock 
to about one thousand <■>{ the finest quality. Already he has established a 
trade in the sale of eggs for hatching, the prices for which vary from thirty- 
five to seventy-five cents |>er do/en. according to whether they come from 
the utility (lock or from the fancier's pen. Careful and painstaking in the 
work, he is prepared for the prosperous management of a hennery and has 
gained a degree oi success as deserved as it has been desired. It has not been 
ssible for him, engrossed with the work on the farm, to participate in local 
enterprises e>r in political affairs, but he keep- posted concerning national 
is-ues and at the general elections casts a Republican ticket, in local matters, 
however being inclined toward independence and favoring the men he con 
siders best qualified to represent the people, irrespective of their opinions 
concerning governmental problems. 



WILLIAM SMITH. 

A lifetime of activity brings to Mr. Smith pleasant memories of business 

ciations in many portions of the United States and even in Central 
America. Although to some extent retired from arduous undertakings, he 
a temperament too energetic to permit of idleness and since he 
settled in Yallejo during the year 1898 he has been associated with the build- 
ing business in and near this city. First attracted to this part of the country 
by reason of government work at Mare Island, he was so pleased with the 
climate and the environment that he decided to remain here permanently and 
hence we find him identified with many of the enterprises contributing to 
local upbuilding. A native of Xew England, born near Manchester, X. H., 
in 1846. and a traveler throughout much of the country, he has found no 
locality more inviting than this and no native-born citizen displays a patriot- 
ism greater than his nor a more loyal devotion to the welfare of the county 
and state. 

At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Smith was a lad of fifteen years. 
Patriotism rose above youth and surmounted the difficulties incident to his 
acceptance in the service. He was accepted as a private in the Second 
Massachusetts Battery. Light Artillery, of Boston. Wounded at Pt. Hudson 
and again at Ft. Banks. La., he resigned his commission as second lieutenant 
and went to the hospital in Philadelphia, but before the wound was healed he 
re-enlisted in Company C. Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry. This later be- 
came Company A. which was detailed as General Thomas' guard, remaining 
as such until the close of the war. At the age of sixteen years Mr. Smith was 
commissioned a second lieutenant by General Hooker, who complimented 
him upon his gallantry in action. For four years and three months he re- 
mained at the front and meantime participated in all the engagements of his 
regiment, including Fair Oaks, Williamsburg, second battle of Bull Run, 
Getty>burg, Savage Station. Seven Pines, the Peninsular campaign, the 
engagement at Xashville and the battle of Baton Rouge, commanded by Gen. 
I'.enjamin Butler. Under General Stoneman he took part in the last raid 
through Georgia and Virginia. While serving as lieutenant in charge of 
Fort Banks at Xew Orleans he became personally acquainted with the illus- 
trious Commodore Farragut. who later figured prominently in the establish- 
ment of the Mare Island navy yard. 

After a long and honorable service, during the course of which he twice 
had been wounded in battle. Mr. Smith was honorably discharged from the 



932 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 






army and returned to the pursuits of civic affairs. Throughout much of his 
life he has devoted his attention to contracting and building. At one time he 
also owned and superintended a large stock farm in Iowa. After the war he 
attended Rochester Academy, and later, having worked at the carpenter's 
trade, he followed that and also superintended the construction of a portion 
of the state fair buildings at St. Paul, Minn. In the same state he filled 
important contracts for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. For two 
years he had charge of government work in Guatemala, Central America, and 
in Texas he erected the customs house at Sherman and many other substantial 
public buildings and business blocks. After coming to the west he worked 
for two years in the Hammond car-shops at San Francisco, later erected the 
Sonoma Methodist Episcopal Church in Sonoma county and worked as a ship- 
joiner at the Mare Island navy yard, also engaged in building in San Fran- 
cisco and Los Angeles. For some time he was the leading contractor at Hay- 
wards, Alameda county, where he erected thirty-two important buildings and 
also had the contract for the fine high school. After the great fire in 1906 he 
erected a number of high-grade flat buildings in San Francisco. Since coming 
to Vallejo he has aided in the beautifying of the city. On six lots near the 
public park he erected six comfortable cottages and in addition he built two 
houses on the corner of Main and Alameda streets, this work being in his own 
interests, while for others he has built the Brownlee flats, McDonald under- 
taking parlors and houses for Mr. Bassford in 1911. 

Memories of old army days find a congenial renewal in the association of 
Mr. Smith with other veterans of the war, through membership in Farragut 
Post, G. A. R., and through private friendly meetings. The Woodmen of the 
World also have the benefit of his interested association with the local camp. 
In early manhood he married Jeanette Stannard, a native of New Boston, 111., 
who died many years ago. Of the seven children born of this marriage, four 
are living, as follows: George E., of Los Angeles; John T., of Vallejo; Eva 
L., Mrs. Lock, of Vallejo; and Mark C, of Pasadena. Extensive travels 
throughout the east and west, the north and south, have given him a broad 
knowledge of our fair land as well as a cosmopolitan liberality of views, so 
that he is both a well-informed and a broad-minded citizen. 



LORENSE PETERSEN. 

A most picturesque mountain home is that of Lorense Petersen, located 
on the Santa Rosa road, three miles west of Calistoga, where he settled in 
1878. He is the happy possessor of one hundred and sixty acres of cultivated 
land, and his residence is surrounded by palms, orange and lemon trees and 
beautiful flowers. Born in Sondeborg, Denmark, February 15, 1843, Mr. 
Petersen was a mere boy when he began to follow the native bent of his 
ancestry and went to sea, sailing to all parts of the world. In his sailing 
experiences he rounded Cape of Good Hope twice, and also Cape Horn twice, 
and was shipwrecked in 1863 on the coast of Holland in the German clipper 
ship Helgoland, when all but four of the crew were saved. After following 
the life of the seaman for ten years in connection with the shipbuilder's trade 
he made his last voyage from Boston to Japan on the King Philip and from 
there ran to San Francisco, arriving in this present-day metropolis in 1868. 
He remained for ten years working as shipwright in the yards of San Fran- 
cisco, and then, in 1878, came to his present ranch, which he cleared, and upon 
which he now has seven acres in French prunes and eighteen acres in grapes, 
the greater part of his land, however, being devoted to the raising of grapes, 
from which he manufactures about fifteen thousand gallons of fine wine 
annually, selling same at wholesale. His ranch is located in the thermal belt 
and above the frost and for thirty-four years he has not lost a crop by frost. 




XunuvLci uujLoil&J? 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNTIES 

the crops maturing early and the fruits are very luscious and rich in flavor. 

In 1870 Mr. Petersen was united in marriage to Mary Epsen, also a 
native of Sondeborg, Denmark, they being schoolmates in the land of their 
birth. From this union wore born six children, three of whom arc living: 
Christopher I... a minister; Fredericka K.. the wife of C. M. Vandercamp, of 
Santa Clara county and the mother of four children; and Anna I'., wife of 
M. 1.. McCladery, of Santa Cruz, who also have four children. 

In this sun-kissed land of California, with its contrasl to the bleak coast 
oi their forefathers, Mr. and Mrs. Petersen live to see the fruits of their labors 
a success, and surrounded by children, grand-children and many friends, are 
happy in activity and usefulness, loved and respected by the community. 



LEONARD REDDICK. 

Long before the railroad had spanned the continent and rendered com 
fortable the journey from east to west. Mr. Reddick had sought the opportu- 
nities offered, by the regions beyond the desert and the mountains. In the 
midst of strangers and without money he had begun life in the coast country. 
I bscouragements often impeded his progress, illness made inroads upon his 
once stalwart frame and the discomforts ^i frontier existence were his portion 
for year- \ ; withstanding these and many other experiences of somber hue, 
it was bis good fortune to rise to success and to attain financial independence. 
The afternoon of a useful existence finds him busily engaged in farming and 
fruit-growing in Solano county, where he has lived for more than a quarter 
of a century. Never having married, he is alone in the world except for his 
many stanch friends and well-wishers and excepting also a few relatives back 
in the east, none of whom but a brother now living in Union City, Ind.. has 
ever been in the west. 

The tir-t six months in the life of Leonard Reddick were passed in Fred- 
erick county. Md.. where he was born January 10, 1834, and whence his par- 
ents removed to Ohio, settling at Dayton. Montgomery county, and buying 
raw land in the vicinity of that flourishing town. Ohio country schools gave 
him a fair education and the home farm afforded him every opportunity for 
training in the principles of industry, economy and perseverance. At the age 
of twenty-one years the young man came west as far as Iowa and settled in 
Mount Pleasant, where he worked by the day. One year later he moved to 
Jacks' >n county, Mo., and secured employment in a sawmill. At the expira- 
tion of twelve months he moved to Nebraska and made a brief sojourn in 
Nebraska City. Early in 1858 he worked for a company at Westport, Mo., 
that furnished supplies for the United States soldiers stationed at Salt Lake 
City. During July of that year he and another young man bought a wagon 
and team of oxen and joined a party of emigrants, forming a train of about 
thirty-two men. and traveling wesl via Forts Kearney. Laramie and Bridger. 
From Salt Lake City they turned to the Southern California route, which 
landed them at San Bernardino. From then- they proceeded to San Pedro 
and took passage on a. boat bound for San Francisco, where they arrived about 
the middle of January. 1850. none the worse for their wearisome journey. 

After a trip to Redwood City and a return to San Francisco, Mr. Reddick 
secured passage on a boat and went to Portland, working there about six 
months, then crossed to Olympia. Wash. For five month-- he remained on 
Vashon island, where he worked at a logging camp. Returning to California 
in 1860, he began to farm on the Feather river in Butte county, but during the 
autumn of 1861 he left that region for Nevada, taking a drove of hogs to Vir- 
ginia City, where they were butchered, cured and sold. Other work >rc- 
sented itself which kept the young Californian in Nevada until 1863, at which 



936 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



time he returned to this state and settled in Butte county. Illness prevented 
him from working for a time, but on regaining his health he again plunged 
energetically into the first occupation that presented itself. During 1880 he 
visited in Washington. On his return he settled at Emigrant Gap and worked 
there for four years, coming thence to Solano county in 1884 and buying one- 
half interets in three hundred and fifteen acres with J. B. Chinn as a partner, 
later purchasing Chinn's interest. Twenty acres of the tract are under culti- 
vation to fruit and there are eighty acres of tillable land, the balance being 
utilized for the pasturage of stock. It is known as Pigeon Point ranch and lies 
four miles south of Vacaville and is devoted to horticulture, grain and stock 
raising. During the season of 1909 there were fourteen tons of dried prunes 
sold from the ranch at $100 per ton, also one and one-half tons of apricots and 
three hundred crates of plums, the whole representing a large income in re- 
turn for the care and cultivation bestowed upon the orchard. To this place 
Mr. Reddick devotes his entire attention, not being connected with fraternities 
nor desirous of identification with local affairs nor a participant in political 
matters aside from casting a Republican vote at the national elections. 



WILLIAM ALEXANDER JONES. 

In the upbuilding of the city of Vallejo no man has been more actively 
interested nor taken a more prominent part than has William A. Jones, who 
is well known throughout this section of country as an architect with more 
than average ability. Coming to the locality in boyhood, he recalls vividly 
the lack of advantages with which the family had to contend as compared to 
the present day, improvements then undreamed of in home, shop and field, 
now being accepted and utilized as a matter of course. Flourishing towns 
and cities have arisen in the meantime, well-kept farms abound,, and many 
and varied industries have been established during the years that Mr. Jones 
has been a resident of Solano county. All of this has been of special interest 
to him, inasmuch as he has had a part in the work of development, and no 
little of the credit for the high standing of Vallejo architecturally is due to 
his genius and ability. 

A native of the east, William A. Jones was born in Eagleville, Rutland 
county, Vt., September 25, 1859, the son of Marshall Jones, who though a 
native of Belfast, Ireland, was reared principally in New York City, receiving 
his education there and also preparing for future years by learning the 
moulder's trade. Removing to the west in young manhood, he was located 
for a time in Milwaukee, Wis., but later returned to the east and settled in 
Rutland county, Vt. There he was superintendent of the state quarries until 
his removal to Washington, where he was employed in the navy yard. 
Leaving the east in 1870 Mr. Jones brought his family to California by way 
of Panama and settled in Lakeport, Lake county, and in that vicinity he 
engaged in farming and stock-raising for about two years. Coming to Solano 
county in 1872, he found employment in the government navy yard at Mare 
Island and ultimately became foreman of the moulding shop, and was holding 
this position at the time of his death. His wife, in maidenhood Fredricka 
Lessing, was the descendant of an old German family and was herself born 
in the Fatherland. Grandfather Lessing became one of the early settlers of 
Milwaukee and Mrs. Jones was reared and educated in that city. She is now 
living in Vallejo, and all of her five children are still living. 

Next to the oldest of the children comprising the parental family, Wil- 
liam A. Jones was about eleven years old when removal was made to Vallejo, 
where he continued his studies in the common schools, and subsequently he 
learned the carriage-maker's trade. He had followed his newly acquired trade 
only a few years, however, when he turned his attention to architecture, 



HISTORY OF SOI. WO AND NAPA COUNTIES 937 

taking up the study in San Francisco, which included a course in the art 

institute of that city. His student course in this profession covered about 
three years altogether, when he put his knowledge to practical use in the 
office of H. P. Merritt in San Francisco, and subsequently was in the office of 
Clinton Day. From that city he later returned to Vallejo, where for a time 
he was employed in the navy yard, and in 1898, just after the earthquake, he 
became head draftsman in that .'Mice, continuing there until his resignation 
in 1906. His object in retiring from the latter position was to remove to 
Reno. Nev., where he drew plans for structures in that city for about two 
years, after which he returned to Vallejo and established the beginning of 
the large business which he controls today. Prominent among the buildings 
that represent his skill and ability, attention is called to the Elks building, 
the addition to the Odd Fellows' building, the Empress theater, the new Odd 
Fellows' building, and among the residences, those of G. W. Pennycook, 
Grant Halliday, W. W. Wilson and many other of the finest and most costly 
structures in the city. Associated with .\lr. llenning of Sacramento he drew 
the plans of the new county court house of Solano county, also the county 
jail at Fairfield. The fact that congenial work means success has been 
exemplified in the experience of Mr. Jones, who has been successful above 
the average of those similarly engaged in Vallejo, and those who have em- 
ployed him once are sure to return to him when in need of work in his line. 

In Vallejo Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Mrs. Gila Grace 
Brownlie, who was born in Vallejo, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah Hobbs. 
Mr. Hobbs was one of the prominent characters in the early history of Solano 
county, and an interesting account of his life will be found elsewhere in this 
volume. After the death of her husband Mrs. Hobbs continued the business 
activities which had engaged the attention of her husband for many years, 
and among other ventures erected many buildings in the city that ultimately 
became very valuable. At the time of her death in 1911 she had reached the 
age of eighty-four years. Born of Mrs. Jones' first marriage were two chil- 
dren. Mary Esther and Jean Alexander. One child was born of her second 
marriage, William A. Jones, Jr. 

As a recognition of his ability to take an active part in municipal affairs, 
Mr. Jones was in October. 1910, elected a member of the board of freeholders, 
this body having been elected to frame a new city charter. Enterprising and 
progressive, and ever alive to the best interests of his home city, Mr. Jones 
had for some time been in favor of the commission form of government and 
was one of the strongest advocates in bringing Vallejo under this form of 
control. Fraternally Mr. Jones is allied with a number of orders, belonging 
to Xaval Lodge Xo. 87, F. & A. M., of which he is Past Master; Golden State 
Lodge Xo. 216. I. O. O. F. ; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 
being a charter member of his lodge, besides which he belongs to the Cham- 
ber of Commerce, the Sierra Club of San Francisco, and the Geographical 
Society of Washington. 



WILLIAM SMITH. 

The life of William Smith began in Orleans, Mass., February 7, 1832, and 
closed in Xapa, Cal., December 9, 1901. Into his "three score and ten" of 
years he had crow r ded much, being a man of wide experience and generous 
heart and well deserving of a place in the annals of this county. Educated in 
Massachusetts, when he was a lad of seventeen years he boarded a sailing 
vessel bound for California by way of Cape Horn and finally landed in San 
Francisco. The attraction in coming to the west was the possibilities of the 
mines, and he therefore spent some time mining in Placer county. Xot doing 
as well as he had expected, however, he came to Xapa county in 1850 and 



938 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



immediately afterward opened a hardware business with C. Cheeseborough 
under the name of Smith & Cheeseborough, theirs being the first hardware 
business established in Napa county. After some time Mr. Smith returned 
to the east, where he remained for a few years, and then, returning to Cali- 
fornia, he engaged in the hardware business in San Francisco as a member 
of the firm of George H. Tay & Company. He remained with this well- 
known firm for a number of years, and then on account of failing health he 
retired from active business and came to Napa to pass his remaining years. 
Here he died, December 9, 1901. His place is vacant and his voice in public 
affairs is missed, for he was one who took a deep interest in everything that 
concerned the public welfare. 

In Boston, Mass., in 1868, Mr. Smith married Harriet A. Jones, a native 
of that city, and their only child, Alex W., died in November, 1886, at the age 
of fifteen years. By a former marriage there was one child, now Mrs. Susan 
T. Hackett. of Napa. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Smith has con- 
tinued to reside at the old home on First street, Napa. 






ROBERT B. DEMPSEY, M. D. 

The medical profession is well represented in Vallejo by Dr. Dempsey, 
who though young in years has gained a standing in the confidence of his 
fellow citizens of which many an older man might Avell be proud. A native 
son of the state, he was born in Sebastopol, Sonoma county, April 24, 1876, the 
son of Andrew and Maria L. (Bowne) Dempsey, natives respectively of 
Manchester, England, and Brooklyn, N. Y. Much of the life of the father 
was passed on the sea. In his earlier years he sailed from English ports 
with exports from that country, and returned with cargoes of goods for 
home consumption. After coming to the United States his business was 
centered largely in transportation and freighting on the Columbia river, where 
he owned vessels and made a success of his enterprise. He passed away in 
Vallejo in 1898, some years after his relinquishment of the seaman's life, and 
his wife survived until 1907. 

Of the four sons and one daughter comprising the parental family Robert 
B. Dempsey, fourth in order of birth, was reared and educated principally 
in Portland, Ore., that being the home of the family while the father was 
operating on the Columbia river. Following his graduation from high school 
he matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in San Francisco, 
from which he was graduated in 1903 with the degree of M. D. Immediately 
following his graduation he came to Vallejo and opened an offite for the 
practice of his profession, meeting with splendid and well deserved success. 
However, a desire to extend his medical and surgical knowledge led him to 
take a course in the Post-Graduate Medical College of New York City, which 
he followed by a prosecution of his studies in London, England ; Paris, 
France ; and Berne, Switzerland. It was with considerable satisfaction that 
he returned from this extended course of study and investigation to his former 
home in Vallejo and resumed the practice he had laid aside temporarily. To- 
day he is regarded as one of the most reliable and thorough-going medical 
practitioners in Solano county. In order to keep in touch with the advance- 
ment that is continually being made in the medical profession, he holds mem- 
bership in County, State and American Medical Associations, in leading circles 
of which he is highly esteemed as an acquisition to the profession. When 
the city of Vallejo was in need of capable men to assist in the reorganization 
of the old charter, she chose from among her citizens those who had her 
best interests at heart and in whom the utmost confidence could be placed. 
It was therefore a compliment to be chosen to the membership of the Board 



HISTORY OF SOL wo AND N \P\ COUNTIES 941 

of Freeholders, an honor which came to Dr. Dempsey in October, 1**10. fol- 
lowing which he and his colleagues drew up the new commission form of 
charter under which the city is now operating. As physician and citizen 
Dr. Dempsey is a shining li.^lu in Vallejo, and as he is a young man, the 
honors that have come to him thus far both from a professional and municipal 
standpoint arc bu1 a foretaste of what he may reasonably expect in the years 
to come. 



ALBERT ROSEL. 

It is said y>\ the German thai thrift is a national characteristic. Be this 
as it may. this quality is most admirably evidenced in the large, well-managed 
ranch of Albert Rosel. Born in Saxony. Germany. December 9. 1861, he 
resided there until he was twenty years of age, receiving his agricultural 

training and what education he was able to acquire by his own efforts. Tims 
in his early manhood, with a stalwart frame, alert mind and a willing heart 
as his chief assets and with the ambition born of youth to surmount all ob- 
stacles, he embarked for this country, landing in N'ew York City in 1881. 
After following farming near Rochester for two years he traveled to some 
extent, visiting Chicago. St. Paul, Sioux City and Kan>.i< City, in the last 
mentioned city engaging in the dairy business. During the years that he 
continued in that business he was very successful, but the same cannot be 
said of his -rain speculation there. Me came to California in 1892, and lure, 
with the advantages of an equable climate and fertile soil, he has been enabled 
to bring about marvelous results on his ranch. This ranch consists of two 
hundred and seventy-eight acres located at Coombsville, one and a half miles 
from Xapa. One hundred and seventy acres are under the plow, one hun- 
dred acres in corn, sixty in wheat, thirty in fruit, ten in oats and the balance 
in pasture. Mr. Rose! runs a dairy on his place, having twenty-five fine cows. 
and owns seventy hogs and ten horses, but in addition to all this, he is making 
a specialty of poultry and now has eight hundred young chickens, aside from 
five hundred hens and roosters, and is planning to have fifteen hundred hens 
next season. 

In Kansas City. Mr. Rose! was united in marriage to Frances Schults. 
a native of Wyandotte county. Kans., and of German descent. They are the 
parents of seven children : Albert E.. Fred. 'Ralph R., Raymond, Mabel, 
Laura and Frances. The oldest child was graduated from school in Coombs 
ville, and four are now attending school. Mr. Roscl takes just pride in giving 
to his children all the advantages of which he himself was denied in his 
youth. In his political affiliations he is a Socialist. 



ARCHIE P. McMATH. 

An informing experience as a hunter in different parts of this stale is 
a valued possession of Archie P. McMath. When in reminiscent mood he 
delights to narrate his thrilling adventures to young men. Born in 1X47 in 
Niles, Mich., he left his native state when he was nine years old and. with 
his parents, came to California via Panama and settled in Marysville. There 
he remained eleven years. In 1868 he went to Lake county and hunted on 
the Eel River, sometimes with his brothers, at other times alone. llis 
skill and prowess as a huntsman were widely recognized. On one occasion 
he was attacked by a wildcat which sprang upon his back, and after a fierce 
>true^le he managed to dispatch the animal, but not without receiving a 
number of wounds. One season he killed about one thousand deer. lie 
made a specialty of trapping foxes in which he was assisted by his brothers. 



942 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 




In those days trapping was a very remunerative business, as high prices 
were paid for the hides secured. The fisher was worth $7 to $9, the silver 
gray fox $50 to $75. In connection with trapping he operated a sheep ranch. 
The brothers separated, and Mr. McMath moved to Hanford, Kings county, 
Cal., and thence to Solano county, where he assisted in the construction of 
the railroad of the Southern Pacific Company from Sacramento to Vallejo. 

Mr. McMath married Miss Josephine Saunders, who bore him four sons 
and two daughters : Robert F., Stanford, Archie, Irwin B., Harriet E. and 
Carrie J. Harriet E. married Mr. Frank Shirley, of Dixon. Carrie married 
J. M. Connor. Robert F. married Maude Bristol of Vacaville. Stanford 
lives in Idaho. The two younger boys have three steam traction engines and 
are engaged in drilling wells in California and New Mexico. 

Some years ago Mr. McMath bought a ranch two miles north of Elmira, 
later he bought another farm property, and now he owns a hundred and 
thirty-five acres, devoted to alfalfa, dairying and gardening. In 1908 he 
raised five thousand pounds of berries from only one-third of an acre. There 
are three gasoline pumping stations on his property, supplying the means 
for a splendid system of irrigation. 

Politically Mr. McMath is a Republican. He believes that the way to 
successfully cope with the disastrous forest fires that have been raging of 
late is to burn the forests out each season. He argues that this, under right 
supervision, will be effective. A man of 65 years, Mr. McMath has learned 
many lessons in the school of experience and is ever ready to help men of the 
present generation by narrating his ups and downs, his trials and perils, his 
struggles and successes for their instruction and encouragement. He is re- 
spected by an admiring circle of acquaintances. 



LOUIS ARTHUR SACKETT. 

In Louis Arthur Sackett, California has a native son who has made good 
by showing to the world that he possesses the indomitable energy and keen 
wisdom that are essential to success. His experiences have been many and 
varied, but he has always been able to turn to good advantage the different 
situations in life in which he has found himself from time to time. 

Mr. Sackett was born near Winters, Yolo county, October 2, 1870, son 
of Buel L. and Frances (Williams) Sackett. Mr. Williams came to California 
in 1851 and is a citizen of Alameda. When he was four years old Mr. Sackett 
was taken by his parents to Oakland. Another four years and the family 
was re-established in Yolo county, whence it moved in 1887 to Solano county. 
As a young man Mr. Sackett spent about ten years in the mines and there 
he learned well those hopes and aspirations that burn within the miner's 
breast as day after day he is lured on to seek precious metal. A portion of 
his time has been spent in San Francisco. Ten years ago he came back to 
Solano county with a valuable experience and a supply of hard earned money. 
Two years later he bought the ranch he now occupies. This is very fertile 
soil, embracing some one hundred and sixteen acres. Over one-half of this 
holding is in orchard, the major portion in deciduous fruits. Seven acres is 
set aside for the cultivation of oranges and lemons. Mr. Sackett has the 
noteworthy distinction of having the largest orange grove in the county. 
The thrifty appearance of his ranch bespeaks volumes for the care and at- 
tention he has so energetically bestowed on it. In fact the whole of his 
time is devoted to fruit raising, at which he is very successful. His oranges 
are of superior quality and command the highest price in the San Francisco 
market. From thirty lemon trees he received $300 in 1912. He has lately 
installed a pumping plant of sufficient capacity to irrigate his entire orchard. 

In 1891 Mr. Sackett married Miss Clara Graham, a native of Dayton, Cal., 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 943 

who lias borne him a son and a daughter, named respectively. Sanford B. 
and Dorothy. Mrs. Sackett's parents, Charles II. and Mary (Newton) Gra- 
ham, live in Solano county. Mr. Sackett is a member of Buckley Lodge No. 
195, F. and A. M.. of Winters. Cal. Known as an ardent advocate of good 
roads he takes every opportunity to champion the cause of this public 
necessity. He has won and retains the good will and esteem of the people 
oi his district and all who know him arc ever ready to attest to his breadth 
of mind, goodness of heart and kindliness of disposition. 



MARTIN JOHXSOX. 

One of the substantial citizens of Elmira township is Martin Johnson, 
who came to America in 1871. a poor and friendless young man of twenty- 
one, and by undaunted courage, tireless energy and upright methods, has 
risen to a position of prominence in his community. lie was born in llalland, 
Sweden. July 18. 1850, and when he had obtained a good education was well 
equipped mentally to fight the battle of life in a new and prosperous land. 
After he had spent fifteen months in Chicago working at the carpenter's 
trade, he came to California and located in Casper, Mendocino county. Four 
years later he went to Sacramento, and afterwards located in Solano county, 
where he has since farmed successfully. In association with his brother 
Andrew he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land three miles and a 
half north of Elmira. To this purchase others were added till they owned 
six hundred and forty acres of fine ranch land. In 1899 they leased the Chand- 
ler ranch, the operation of which Mr. Johnson superintended and on which 
they raised grain and hay and draft horses. Shropshire sheep and Poland-China 
hogs. Mr. Johnson's special pride is a valuable full blooded black Percheron 
stallion. Brutus, that may be seen in his stables. 

Politically Mr. Johnson is a Republican who believes in giving to his 
party a stanch support. He was married in Dixon in 1897 to Minnie Carlson, 
a native of Vermland. Sweden, who came to California in 1890, and the two 
live together in much felicity, enjoying the social attentions of their numerous 
loval friends. 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 

From Sweden, that rugged land of ice and snow, there have come many 
men and women to avail themselves of the freedom and attendant joys of 
this great republic. Most of them inherited the strong characteristics of 
the ancient Xorsemen whose influence was strongly felt in Europe centuries 
ago. Of such birth and national characteristics was Andrew Johnson, born 
October 1. 1844. At twenty-five years of age he was, by education and ex- 
perience, at least partially fitted to assume new responsibilities in this great 
western land. Arriving in New York, he went, after a time, to Connecticut 
where he found employment on a railroad. From the Nutmeg state he went 
eventually to Chicago. After laboring there three years he came to San 
Francisco, Cal. He worked in a sawmill in Mendocino county for four years, 
then returned to San Francisco, only to move again, this time to Solano county. 
In this well known region he successfully established himself as a rancher. 
Here he and his brother owned six hundred and forty acres of land, well 
suited to farming. They leased other land and farmed in all twelve hundred 
and eighty acres, devoted chiefly to grain, and, running a combined harvester, 
they cut on the average about one thousand acres a year. 

Politically Mr. Johnson was a Republican, holding strongly to the tenets 
of his party. He married, in Solano county, Bertha Petersen, a native of 



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HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 947 

eighteen years of his life, lie made a record as a man kindly and helpful 
to all— a man who strove to carry ou1 the highesl code ol ethics in his every 
day eareer. 

ST. HELENA SANITARIUM. 

Preserving and regaining health by natural methods is the platform 
of the St. Helena Sanitarium, established in 1878 and now the oldest and 
largest health institution in the west, devoted to the principles of hydro 
therapy and physiological therapeutics. This institution was founded by W '. 
A. Pratt, J. N. Loughborough, Dr. M. i;. Kellogg and others, the original 
name hem- The Rural Health Retreat. Thev who established this Retreal 
were also actively interested in the founding of the famous Battle (reek 
Sanitarium and of many other similar institutions, not alone in this country, 
but throughout the world. 

An institution having for its object the restoration of health by natural 
remedies should be located where nature is at her best. The founders of this 
Sanitarium therefore very wisely selected a quiet retreat among the woode 1 
foothills of Howell Mountain, one of the prominent landmarks of the upper 
Napa valley. Visitors from all parts oi the world unanimously declare thai 
here is the Switzerland of America. The scenery is surely that of the Alps. 
With an elevation neither too high nor too low ; with climate most peculiarlj 
adapted to the needs of the sick: with an abundant supply of absolute^ 
pure, soft, limpid water from the Crystal Springs, which first save name to 
the place: with scenery and surroundings ever charming and always rest- 
ful, the location may be considered among California's best. 

In its earlier history the Sanitarium was patronized largely as a health 
resort, for which class of guests it has still unequalled advantages. The 
development of the resources of the place and the addition of modern facili- 
ties for the treatment of the sick have gained for it a worthy reputation for 
its professii mal work. 

The main building of the Sanitarium is a fine five-story structure with 
up-to-date equipment. The hospital is a modern four-story building, so 
planned that the direct rays of the sun enter every room. There are seven 
cottages for the accommodation of the guests, each containing from two to 
twenty rooms. The grounds comprise about one hundred acres of ground, for 
the most part heavily wooded. A small portion is covered with fruit trees 
and a vineyard and garden. All Sanitarium methods cluster around the 
central idea of health culture under conditions very different from those found 
about an ordinary hospital. While all possible treatments are used for the 
direct treatment oi disease, the most careful attention is given to those in- 
fluences which directly strengthen, renew and invigorate the body with all 
its varied functions. Since the existence of disease man has ever sou-lit some 
remedy outside of himself that will counteract or cure the conditions within 
which are the cause of his suffering: in his search forgetting that nature 
has already provided forces within him sufficient for the cure of all curable 
diseases. All the remedies used in this institution are based upon this fact 

The physicians of the Sanitarium devote their whole time to the at- 
tention of the patients. Their offices are ecpiipped with every modern device 
for the alleviation of the sufferings of humanity, and their laboratory is 
similarly outfitted. Diseases of all kinds are undertaken and remarkable 
results are attained. A corps of trained nurses (ladies for ladies and gentle- 
men for gentlemen) attend to the many processes of treatment, each de- 
partment being under the care and direct supervision of a competent man 
or manager. 

Dietetics as a remedial measure is of great importance, and this subject 
receives proportionate attention at the Sanitarium. The culinary department 



948 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



is carefully supervised and, as elsewhere in the institution, the laws of sim- 
plicity and the actual needs of the system are taken as a guide in the prepara- 
tion and the selection of a natural, wholesome and nutritious diet. One 
portion of the kitchen is specially arranged for the filling of special orders 
and trays, which are carefully prepared to meet the individual needs of the 
sick and the requirements of those who, because of their unfavorable condi- 
tion, cannot come to the dining room. Guests receive free cooking lessons 
in the methods of food preparation as practiced at the Sanitarium. 

The following is the list of physicians and officers of the Sanitarium : 
Physicians: George W. Thomason, M. D.; G. E. Klingerman, M. D. ; Ida 
Shively-Nelson, M. D. ; Myrtle B. Hudson, M. D. Officers: George W. 
Thomason, medical superintendent; L. M. Bowen, business manager; E. F. 
Stow, assistant manager; C. L. Taylor, chaplain; H. McDowell, steward; 
Mrs. J. L. Ings, matron. 



JOHN HENRY BRENNAN. 

Possessed of exceptional executive ability and placid determination, Mr. 
Brennan has made a decided success of his well directed efforts to establish 
and develop a business of his own, being the leading manufacturer of soda 
water in this section of the country. A member of one of the oldest and 
most highly respected families of Vallejo, he is the son of John R. Brennan, 
who emigrated from New York to Vallejo in 1856, and was shortly there- 
after appointed to the position of distributor of water in the Mare Island 
Navy Yard. Later the elder Brennan engaged in the liquor business in 
Vallejo and built a comfortable home at No. 329 Caroline street, where, 
eventually he passed away. His widow, formerly Miss Bridget Martin, who 
also came to California in the early days, resides at the old family home in 
Vallejo. 

John H. Brennan, second eldest of the nine children of John R. and 
Bridget (Martin) Brennan, seven of whom are living, was born December 
15, 1860, in Vallejo. He was educated in the public schools, and at the age 
of fourteen found employment with the Empire Soda Works, of which he 
was later promoted to be foreman. In 1890 he engaged in business with 
J. B. McCauley, under the firm name of McCauley & Brennan, and estab- 
lished a new plant in the Greeves building, on Georgia street. In 1901 they 
built a new bottling works on Main street and the tracks of the Southern 
Pacific railroad. The concern, known as the St. Louis Bottling Works, 
maintains an agency for various mineral waters, and controls the general 
distribution of Rainier beer. 

Mr. Brennan married Miss Annie D. McCarthy, a native of Lake county, 
Cal. They have one son, Reginald, in whom their highest hopes are centered. 
A member of Vallejo Lodge No. 559, B. P. O. E., Mr. Brennan is affiliated 
also with Vallejo Aerie No. 71, F. O. E., and with Vallejo Council No. 13, Y. 
M. I. of which he has been presiding officer. A Democrat, keenly alive to 
the questions of the day, he cherishes an active interest in the welfare of the 
municipality, to which he renders practical aid in many and various way. 



ANTON CHRISTENSEN. 

For little longer than twelve years Anton Christensen has been ranching 
in Napa county, although his experiences in California cover a period of 
more than forty years. He was born in Abenrade, Denmark, October 19, 
1847, and was educated under the splendid public school system of that coun- 
try. It should be added that he gained a considerable knowledge of farming 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUNTIES "4" 

in his native land, lie came to America in 1S71 and immediately settled in 
Alameda county, Cal., nine miles east <>f Oakland. There he fanned on an 
extensive scale, having eight hundred acres of land under operation. This 
he cultivated to wheat, raising some stock. For twelve years Mr. Christensen 

rated there with much success, then went north to Butte county and took 
Up orange raising. The land that he cultivated he had to clear himsch ami 
then plant to trees, lie had twenty acres of tine navel oranges and grape 
fruit, and owing to the tact that the crop comes very early in that section 
of the state he made good at his enterprise. Mis fruit was shipped to the 
east early in November of each year. 

Mr. Christensen came to Napa county in 18% and bought his fine ranch 
on the Big Ranch road, four miles north of Napa. It comprises one hun- 
dred and twenty-seven acres, the soil being from fifteen to twenty-five feet 
deep, and is especially well adapted for horticulture and the raising of black 
oats and other grain. Mr. Christensen grows wheat and oats. The former 
runs from nineteen to twenty sacks to the acre and the latter from twenty 
to twenty-five. In earlier days he raised corn, harvesting about two tons to 
the acre. He also raises fine high-grade draught horses, for use on the ranch, 
which as he has improved it is considered one of the best in the county. 

In San Francisco, in March. 1884. Mr. Christensen married Miss I'rede- 
ricka Petersen, who was born near Abenrade, Denmark. The following named 
children blessed their union: Louisa, wife of Wm. Pratt of Oakland; Anna. 
wife of Andrew Piatt, of Napa valley, and Mena, a baker in Oakland, Cal. 
Mr. and Mrs. Christensen are well liked and progressive, and every just and 
worthy cause receives consideration at their hands. Their experience in other 
sections of the state has enabled them to make a success of their enterprise 
here. Indeed. Mr. Christensen is conspicuous among the up-to-date men who 
are giving Napa county an enviable reputation throughout the state and in 
distant markets. 



EDWARD GERALD MANASSE. 

That prominent citizen of Napa, Edward G. Manasse, is proud of the 
fact that he is a native son of Napa count}-. Cal., for the records of his own 
county show that he was born in Napa August 16, 1872. He has established 
himself strongly in the hearts of the people of his county and city, not only 
because he has the qualifications of a good business man, but also because of 
the largeness of his heart and the kindliness of his attitude towards all. As a 
young man, Mr. Manasse had the advantages of the splendid public school 
system of this county and studied assiduously to gain useful knowledge. At 
the age of eighteen years he entered the employ of the Sawyer Tanning Com- 
pany and for about nine years was a faithful employee and always an inter- 
ested workman. So closely did he apply himself to the mastery of the details 
of tanning, under his father's direction, that he was, about 1894, made super- 
intendent of the tannery, a position of responsibility which he has since filled. 
On the death of his father, in 1899, he took his place as treasurer of the com- 
pany, which office also he has filled to this time. Always careful and con- 
servative, he safeguards the interests of the company in a manner to make 
his administration noteworthy. In the last decade the plant has been prac- 
tically rebuilt and tanning and tanning methods have undergone great im- 
provement. Mr. Manasse's superintendency of the building-up of the plant 
to its present importance and efficiency and to its well merited rank among 
the leading leather-making concerns of the United States, has been widely 
commented on. 

Mr. Manasse was elected a member of the city council of Napa in 1901 
and is now serving his third term in that capacity. As councilman he has 



950 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



given his constituents and supporters every consideration, and all measures 
fo'r the betterment of conditions in the city in which he lives find in him a 
worthy advocate. He is a member of Napa Lodge, Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Grand; and also of the Native Sons of the 
Golden West, and of the B. P. O. E., in which he has been exalted to be an 
esteemed Loyal Knight. February 14, 1900, he married Anna Louise Hoff- 
man, a native of Vallejo and daughter of Nathan and Anna M. (Brown) Perry. 
Her father, born in Mercer county, Pa., served in Co. K, Sixty-third Pennsyl- 
vania Volunteers, during three years of the Civil war. He came to California 
in 1868 and is now a citizen of Napa. His wife, born in Vallejo, died there in 
1901. Mrs. Manasse has borne her husband four sons: Gerald, Robert, 
Irving and Philip. Mr. and Mrs. Manasse are well known in Napa and have 
the high esteem of a large and ever widening circle of friends, who love them 
for their sterling sincerity. 





ANN E. INMAN. 

Among the prominent residents of Napa is Ann E. Inman, a native of 
Independence, Mo., and the daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Smart) Young, 
the former of whom died when his daughter was a small child. Ann E. 
and her mother remained in Missouri until 1853, when they, with the moth- 
er's sister and her husband, William Clarke, made the hazardous journey 
across the plains to California, bringing with them five hundred head of 
cattle. Indians followed them for three days, but did not get any of their 
stock, and during the long trip Miss Young was ill, so it was with grateful 
hearts that they finally ended the five-month journey and made settlement 
in Napa county. Her brother, Elisha Young, and two sisters had preceded 
them to the west in 1850. 

In 1859 Miss Young was united in marriage with Hon. Andrew Inman, 
a native of Tennessee, who came to California in 1849, and from the time 
of her marriage until her husband's death she lived in Contra Costa county. 
Mr. Inman was a prominent man there, being a wealthy stockman and sheep 
raiser with large holdings and very successful in his chosen line of work. 
He was not only prominent in the industrial life of the community, but 
also took foremost part in the political affairs of the county, at one time 
proving his worth by serving his district as assemblyman in the state legis- 
lature at Sacramento. 

At the time of Mr. Inman's death in 1868 Mrs. Inman took up her 
residence in Napa. She recalls the early days of this place, which then 
boasted only two stores, and there was no railway, the only means of com- 
munication with the outside world being a stage from Benicia and a small 
steamer on the river. She has watched the growth and development of 
the town with keen interest and has contributed her full share to the prog- 
ress attained. In 1892 she purchased her present place on West First street, 
just outside the city limits. This is a splendid property, consisting of twenty- 
five acres of fine fruit trees. She has improved the property to a large ex- 
tent and made a beautiful home of it, where she resides with her son, Arthur 
G., who manages and conducts the affairs of the ranch. For the most part 
the ranch is planted to cherries, pears, prunes and plums. The fine condi- 
tion of the trees is indicated by the fact that the cherry crop for 1909 amounted 
to nineteen tons, and of pears, twenty tons. 

Mr. and Mrs. Inman had three sons, two of whom, William and Charles, 
are deceased. Arthur G. Inman married Effie Allen, of Sedalia. Mo. Mrs. 
Inman is greatly esteemed by the citizens of Napa because of her many 
charities and kindnesses and the worth of her womanly character. 





A^^^^^ <fl, yY^o/^^^ 



HISTORY OK SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 953 

AMBROSE BURUS HOLDRIDGE. 

\ well-known horticulturist of Solano is Ambrose B. Holdridge, who 
was horn in New London county, Conn., in 1838, the son <>f Randol 1 1 « >1 d- 
ridge, who served in the Mexican war. and his paternal grandfather was a 
participant in the war of 1812. \- a boy Mr. Holdridge received such edu- 
cational advantages as the time and place afforded and at the age of fifteen 
he wont to sea, and during the eighteen months he was on board ship he 
fished extensively between Havana and Key West. At eighteen years of 
age he left home permanently, subsequently embarking on a vessel destined 
for the Isthmus, his intention being to come to California. The vessel on 
which he came up the Pacific was very crowded, having about twenty-five 
hundred passengers on hoard, and after a t ri j > i>\ twenty-one days the hoat 
finally landed in San Prancisco in 1858. Passengers had to pay $7 per day 
for room and board. After arriving in San Francisco Mr. Holdridge went 
to Sacramento and did odd jobs for a while and later drove a four-horse team 
for a freighter and also ran a threshing machine in Napa valley and also 
the Sacramento valley. Saving his money he bought a team and commenced 
Operations for himself, freighting between Sacramento and Auburn. Nevada 
City and Grass Valley. This he continued from 1858 until 1867. In the 
latter year he came to Dixon and bought a quarter section of land for which 
he paid $5,500, and on which he now resides, lie added to his original pur- 
chase until he owned seven and a half epiarter sections in one body and lying 
about four miles from Dixon. However, he has given each of his children 
a farm and now has six quarter sections which he is operating, making a 
specialty of stock-raising and of raising grain and alfalfa. 

Mr. Holdridge was married in 1867 to Mary P. Hall, a native of New 
York who came to California with her parents in 1853 across the plains. 
In 1854 they started on the return trip east on the Yankee Blade, which 
was wrecked, after which they determined to remain in California. Three 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holdridge. Richard A.. Ida M. and 
Mary Maud. Richard A., a farmer near Dixon, married Anna Brown; Ida 
M. became the wife of C. Collier, a farmer near Dixon; Mary Maud is the 
wife of Robert Collier, and they reside at Tremont. Politically Mr. Hold- 
ridge is a Republican. He is proud of the fact that his first vote was cast 
in favor of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He has voted in twelve presidential 
elections. Mr. Holdridge makes the statement that he has been off his ranch 
for only one month during the last forty-five years and he considers his 
present surroundings practically ideal. The family was bereaved by the 
death of the wife and mother March 1. 1890, husband and children as well 
as her many friends deeply mourning her loss. 



GUY S. HALE. 

No more live, forceful and enterprising citizen claims Vallejo as his 
home than Guy S. Hale, an efficient machinist in the employ of the Mare 
Island navy yard. As far back as it i>- possible to trace the history of the 
family its members were identified with the Empire state, and William S. 
Hale, the father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was born 
and reared in New York state. lie was quite a young man when he ven- 
tured from the home of his forefathers and settled in Minnesota, locating in 
Winona county, where as yet few had preceded him. lie was busy breaking 
the land with ox teams and preparing the land for seed when the war be- 
tween the north and south, broke out and the call for able bodied men to 
assist in the restoration of peace found him ready and willing to go to the 

43 



954 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



front. As a member of the Second Minnesota Battery, Fourteenth Army- 
Corps, he went to the front and gave valiant service until an accident to 
his knee confined him to the hospital until he was able to resume his duties 
on the field, and after the close of the war he returned to Minnesota. In- 
stead of resuming farming, however, he located in Winona and subsequently 
accepted a position as machinist in the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad 
shops at that place. Later years found him in Oakland, Cal., where his 
sons had located in the meantime, and in Vallejo he died in 1908. His 
wife, formerly Julia E. Leach, who was also born in New York state, is 
still living and makes her home with her son in Vallejo. The only other 
child living of the four who originally comprised the parental family is 
Harry, who is superintendent of motive power on the Cincinnati, Hamilton 
& Dayton Railroad, with headquarters at Cincinnati. 

Guy S. Hale was born at Saratoga, Winona county, Minn., November 5, 
1867, and was reared in the city of Winona until attaining his majority. In 
the meantime he had laid a good foundation in the public and high schools 
of Winona, and to this he has added a fund of valuable information through 
reading and observation, to the end that he is now well informed on all 
general topics of the day, takes an intelligent interest in events of world- 
wide import, and is an interesting conversationalist. 

In the choice of a profession Mr. Hale chose the one in which his 
father had been so successful, and no doubt it was from him that the son 
inherited his predilection for the machinist's trade. After mastering the 
trade, having worked at it as an apprentice for five years in the North- 
western shops, he was employed in a number of cities until 1899, then going 
to Oakland, where he held a responsible position in the Southern Pacific 
Company's shops. In September, 1900, he came to Vallejo and entered the 
employ of the government at Mare Island navy yard as machinist, and as 
an evidence of his efficiency it may be said that he has retained- this posi- 
tion ever since, having the confidence of his superiors and the respect and 
esteem of his co-laborers. 

Mr. Hale has a commodious home at 532 York street, Vallejo, where, he 
and his wife entertain the many friends who enjoy their hospitality. Mrs. 
Hale was before her marriage Miss Emily Watts, who was born near Gains- 
borough, England. She is the daughter of George and Ann (Longmyers) 
Watts, who brought the family to America, locating in Beloit, Wis., where 
he was a merchant tailor. Mrs. Hale was educated in the public and high 
schools of Beloit. In October, 1910, Mr. Hale was elected a member of 
the board of freeholders who framed the new charter for Vallejo, a oosition 
which he accepted with pleasure, for he was strongly in favor of the com- 
mission form of government and it was therefore a matter of considerable 
satisfaction to him when his home city came under this form of civic control. 
While a resident of Minnesota Mr. Hale was made a Mason in Winona 
Lodge No. 18, F. & A. M., and he is also a member of Oakland Chaoter No. 
36, R. A. M. With his wife Mr. Hale is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church at Vallejo, and in the casting of their votes both are in favor 
of Prohibitionist candidates. 



JAMES DANIEL DALY. 

One of the early pioneers of the state was James D. Daly, who was 
born in Ireland in May, 1840, and came to America at the early age of thir- 
teen years. His first home was in Hartford, Conn., and it was from there 
that he set out for the west in 1861, when twenty-one years of age. The 
trip was made via the Isthmus of Panama, and he arrived in San Francisco 
in April of that year. Here he learned the trade of a brass moulder and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

followed it during his stay in San Francisco. Going to Bloomfield, Sonoma 

county, he engaged in raising potatoes there for three years, then going to 

ntra Costa' county, and from there to lake county, where he engaged 

in stock raising and also did teaming work For the quicksilver mines in that 

place. In 1SS5 he came to Napa valley with the intention of making this 
his permanent home ami he has lived here ever since. In the early days 
he farmed one thousand acres >.A land which he rented. The home place 
on which the family now lives consists i<\ a ranch of sixty-eighl acres 
about four miles north of Napa, and here at the age of seventy-one years 
he is enjoying the quietude <>i a well ordered and productive ranch, respected 
by all in the community and held in high regard by his neighbors. 

In 1863 Mr. Daly was married to Mis> Mary Barry, and seven children 
were horn to them. William died in June. 1902, when twenty live years old. 
Josephine died September 1. 1911. The other children are: James A., 
sccretarv oi the Chamber of Commerce at Napa; John C. a rancher near 
a: Fannie, the wife oi Charles Parker; Mary, the wife of James Carroll, 
Napa; Dora, the wife of John I. McDermott. of Napa; and Catherine, 
the wife of Ed Matthews, of San Rafael. 



HORATIO XELSOX FOSSETT. 

Having arrived at the zenith of his life Mr. Fossett can look back over 
a long life'filled with activities, for he was from youth up temperamentally 
inclined towards thrilling adventure and daring enterprise. He was born 
in Pemaquid. in the town of Bristol, Lincoln county. Me.. October 19, 1841. 
lie did not devote much time to gaining an education in the schools afforded 
at that time, hut began to follow the sea at the early age of thirteen years, 
when he shipped with Capt. George Carlton, of Camden, Me., on the R. A. 
Allen, which sailed to Liverpool. Because of his industry and thrift he 
was promoted from time to time, and at the age of twenty became second 
mate of the John Patten of Bath. Me.. William Whctmore. being first mate. 
In the life of the sailor there came many thrilling experiences for he was 
twice shipwrecked. For two years he sailed with Capt. John Taylor on 
the clipper ship Falcon. This was during the war and the ship was engaged 
in the South African trade. He made several other voyages as mate of 
different vessels and in 1864 he came to New York on The Guardian, which 
was built at Damariscotta, Me. At this time he was first mate. Here he 
was transferred to the ship Kentucky, which left Xew York in February 
that year and after a stormy voyage of two hundred and six days around 
Cape Horn, arrived in San Francisco September 23, 1864. This was the 
roughest trip he ever made, and, wearied of the sea-roving life, he went to 
Little River. Mendocino county, and worked in a saw mill for one year. 

Not vet satisfied to settle down to the quiet life here offered him, Mr. 
Fossett in 1865 joined the Western Union Telegraph Company's expedition 
to Siberia, where they had a project on foot to put a telegraph line around 
the world. Mr. Fossett left San Francisco on the ship Palmetto, as second 
lieutenant under Capt. William Arthur. The vessel first sailed to Honolulu, 
arriving there July 4, 1866, and from there went to a Russian port. In Sep- 
tember. 1866. he arrived in the northeastern part of Siberia. He was trans- 
ferred as nautical engineer to take charge of and run the steamer if the 
expedition had been continued. He remained for fourteen months with 
George Kennan. who afterward wrote "Tent Life in Siberia." The twenty 
men and officers composing the party traveled inland, making a survey of 
the route for the line, but the project was abandoned and they returned to 
San Francisco. Here Mr. Fossett worked as finisher in a planing mill for 



956 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



eighteen months. During this sojourn in San Francisco his marriage oc- 
curred, in September, 1869, when he was united with Miss Abbie E. Ruggles, 
a native of Vermont. 

Turning his attention to agricultural interests Mr. Fossett purchased 
one-half interest in a large dairy in Marin county, where one hundred and 
sixty-five cows were maintained. He remained in the dairy business for 
two years, when he sold out and returned to San Francisco, working there 
for the California Furniture Company for two years, and then going to 
Monterey county, where he took charge of the Insenel grant, remaining 
there two and one-half years. In 1875 he purchased a ranch of eighty-four 
acres, devoted to wheat raising, near Suisun, Solano county, and in 1880 
sold this property, returning again to San Francisco, where he worked at 
the carpenter's trade for seven years. On July 2, 1887, he bought his pres- 
ent place in Napa valley, one and a quarter miles northwest of Napa City, 
known as Pemaquid. The property consists of fourteen acres planted to 
orchard, and was purchased from Edward Ryan. Mr. Fossett has made a 
great many improvements on this fruit ranch and built a good home, to- 
gether with barns, etc., and now has one of the most productive and attrac- 
tive places in the valley. 

Mr. Fossett has taken an active part in the farmers' organization of 
Napa valley. He is a charter member of the Napa Grange, being the first 
man to sign. He organized the same and was vice-president of the first 
Rochdale store at Napa and a director of the same. He is a member of the 
State Grange and helped to organize the Farmers' Insurance Company and 
was its first president. 

In national politics Mr. Fossett is a Republican, but locally he votes for 
the man he considers best fitted to fill the office. For many years he was a 
member of the Republican Central Committee. In 1885 he took a trip back 
to his old home in Maine, where many changes had taken place, and he 
has since been content to remain in California. 



C. H. GILDERSLEEVE. 

No development of the past decade has been more conspicuous than 
that of the cement industry. The many and ever increasing uses possible 
to be made of concrete have given to the work great and permanent popu- 
larity and have attracted to its specialization men of enterprise and busi- 
ness acumen, noticeable among whom may be mentioned C. H. Gildersleeve, 
a prominent cement contractor having his headquarters in Napa. As he 
was one of the first to become interested in cement work, having taken up 
the contracting business as early as 1894, so also he is one of the most 
proficient and experienced, a thoroughly reliable workman and careful 
builder, evincing in every contract the most painstaking industry and superior 
skill. Of recent years he has given especial attention to large and important 
contracts, notably those for the building of bridges. 

Born in San Francisco, September 15, 1869, Mr. Gildersleeve was two 
years of age when the family came to Napa county and his earliest recollec- 
tions are of the redwood district where he lived as a boy and young man. 
At an early age he began to work for wages on farms, but agriculture 
possessed less interest for him than other lines of activity and he drifted 
into business affairs. While still quite young he studied the cement in- 
dustry and learned the exact methods of mixing in order to secure the best 
grades of concrete. From 1894 he has given his time to the contract busi- 
ness and has made Napa his home and business headquarters. In this city 
he has laid miles of sidewalk, has built the foundations of various houses 




i£. 





HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 9S9 

and had the contract for the stone bridge on Seminary Btreet. Besides his 
contracts in Napa he has had considerable work in Vacaville, Suisun, Benicia 

and Fairfield, and lias built concrete bridges in Lake. Calaveras and Solano 
counties. Among recent contracts were those for four substantial concrete 
arch bridges across Suisun creek in Solano county and the fine appearance 
of these structures is a matter >.>\ general comment. 

The comfortable residence of the Gildersleeve family at No. 504 Semi- 
nary street. Napa, is brightened by the presence of young people, there being 
one son Carlton, and two daughters, Norma and Mala. Trior to her mar- 
riage in 1893 -Mrs. Gildersleeve was Lulu M. Carlton. Born in North Caro- 
lina, she came to California in childhood with members of the Carlton family 
and received fair educational advantages in Napa county. In her own circle 
of intimate friends she is deservedly popular and her attractive characteristics 
have won appreciated recognition. Mr. Gildersleeve also i-. popular socially 
and has become prominent in local fraternal work, being especially inter- 
ested in the Knights of the Maccabees and the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. 



EDMUND GWYNNE W ATKINS. 

A native o\ England, Edmund G. Watkins was born in Monmouthshire. 
May 24. 1841. He received a good education in his native land and also 
acquired valuable experience on the home farm under his father. Cradock 
Watkins. who was a fanner and landowner. Edmund G. Watkins carried out 
a long cherished plan in the spring of 1867. when he embarked on a vessel 
bound for Quebec, Canada. After spending the summer knocking around 
in the British provinces he started in the fall for California via Panama, land- 
ing at San Francisco. From there he went to Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras 
county, but after staying there some time, in the meantime becoming satis- 
fied that he had no taste for mining, he drifted down into the Sacramento 
valley, spending a year on the ranch of W. B. Brown, near Rio Vista. In 
the meantime Mr. Watkins 1 brother had come to California and located 
at Bellota. San Joaquin county. Mr. Watkins went there to see his brother 
and subsequently they undertook farming in partnership on a place which 
they purchased (mostly on time) on the Calaveras river near Bellota. The 
land was rich but very foul, and sometimes the crops cotdd not be harvested, 
it then being necessary to burn them off in the fall. There was a fair market 
for hay to be shipped to the mines, and taking advantage of this Mr. Watkins 
and his brother farmed their place in a three-year rotation, raising corn, 
barley and hay with excellent results. 

In 1881 E. G. Watkins sold his interest in the place to his partner and 
the following year bought a half section of land two and a half miles south 
of Davis on Putah creek, for which he paid 831 per acre. On this land he 
has made his home ever since and is now engaged in mixed farming, rais- 
ing grain and hay. as well as cattle and hogs. He has a small herd of red 
polled cattle and Poland China hogs and he receives splendid returns from 
a twenty-five acre tract on the creek which is in alfalfa. 

On July 2. 1903, Mr. Watkins met with disaster by fire, which in two 
hours swept the ranch of crops, fences and buildings and also killed a few 
head of live stock. Among the buildings destroyed were three barns and 
a two-story house. 

In December. 1882. Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Hattie R. Hart, 
the eldest daughter of John Hart, the well-known Bellota rancher. In De- 
cember. 1891. Mrs. Hattie Watkins passed away, leaving two small children. 
John Sidney and Edmund Arthur. In November, 1900. Mr. Watkins married 
Mrs. Olive Davis, a native of Iowa and a former neighbor at Bellota. Those 



960 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



who knew Mr. Watkins in youth predicted that he would make a success 
of whatever he undertook and the prediction has been more than borne out 
in his life work. Religiously he is a believer in the tenets of the Baptist 
faith, and politically he is an independent Republican. A man of broad ideas, 
he is ever ready to aid every project that tends to uplift humanity or better 
conditions. 



SUTTON HAYDEN GLAZIER. 

The early memories of Mr. Glazier clustered around the then unpreten- 
tious city of Cleveland, Ohio, where he made his home in early boyhood 
and where he attended the public schools. In one of the highest grades of the 
school that he attended was a bright lad nine years older than himself, 
toward whom he looked with a feeling of affection mingled with awe, for 
to his plastic mind the older youth embodied all that was ambitious and 
desirable in life. In later years this same youth attained a world wide repu- 
tation and went to the grave of a martyred president, the honored James 
A. Garfield. Cleveland, though the early home of Mr. Glazier, was not 
his native place, for he was born in the village of Orange, Ohio, December 
29, 1840, being a son of Rodney and Charlotta (Ewen) Glazier and a descend- 
ant of Scotch ancestry. 

At the age of ten years Mr. Glazier accompanied the family to Michi- 
gan and settled on a raw tract of land, whence later removal was made 
to Illinois and a tract secured embracing two hundred acres adapted to the 
dairy business. The father was a farmer and dairyman and while living in 
Cleveland had control of the milk business in that city. In 1859 the family 
went to Denver, Colo., and a year later the father bought a farm in Living- 
ston county, Mo. Eventually the son left home and started out to earn 
his own way in the world, for which he was prepared by previous experience 
at various avocations in different parts of the country. At Leavenworth he 
met a company in charge of a father and son and equipped with fifty mule 
teams for service on the plains. As foreman of this train he was promised 
a salary of $200 per month and started with the expedition for Santa Fe, N. M. 
En route they encountered many bands of savages and in skirmishes they 
killed eight Indians, besides wounding several others. On one occasion, 
when the emigrants had sheltered themselves beneath the wagons and under 
blankets, the savages approached on all sides and attacked them with poisoned 
arrows, but by firing from under the blankets they killed several of the 
red men, receiving in return severe wounds in hands and arms from the 
poison in the arrows. 

Upon the completion of the trip from Fort Riley, Kan., to Santa Fe., 
N. M., the company disposed of the freight and then bought furs and buffalo 
hides. They returned to Leavenworth with fifteen loaded wagons and sold 
the freight for $14,000 to a Jew, who loaded the furs on a boat for ship- 
ment to St. Louis. The owner offered the entire train of mules and wagons 
for $23,000 to Mr. Glazier, who bought them with no advance payment 
whatever except the money due him as wages. Within eighteen months 
he had paid for the outfit. During 1859 he hauled a load of freight to Denver 
and en route had to wait for grass for his teams. The delay occurred at 
the Platte river and when finally he reached Denver he sold the outfit for 
$42,000. The money was invested in mines and they proved worthless. 

Meanwhile Mr. Glazier had started for New Mexico and had encoun- 
tered seven feet of snow on the mountains, so that the trip was one of hard- 
ship and even peril. When he arrived at Santa Fe he sold his coat and bought 
provisions. When they were exhausted he went without food for three 
days and then told his needs to the proprietor of a store, who immediately 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 961 

gave to him ami his two companions a large quantity of cheese and crackers. 
The first w->rk he was able to secure was that of cook at $150 per month. 
Though he was unfamiliar with the art of cookery he put himself undei 
the instructions of a kindly French cook and (earned to make bread with 
encouraging success. 

Deciding to go to Denver Mr. Glazier asked for and secured his wages 
in food instead of money. Then, with pack burros and several companions, 
he started on the journey. Water was scarce on the desert and for seven 
nights their stock returned to the same water-hole. Meanwhile supplies 
having become almost exhausted, he killed and dressed a coyote, which 
he took back to cam]) with the statement that it was a coon. Believing 
the statement the men cooked and ate the animal. After many exciting 
experiences the party reached civilization and safety. By chance Mr. Gla- 
zier encountered the' sheriff, a gallant westerner dressed in buckskin, and 
in his home he enjoyed a dinner as fine as it was ever his good fortune to 
taste. Besides he and his companions had each a new suit of clothes at 
the sheriff's expense. That friendly officer had a store and hired Mr. Gla- 
zier as a clerk, so that he remained, but the others proceeded to the mines 
and took up claims. 

Upon returning to Illinois in 1860 Mr. Glazier cast his first presidential 
vote for Abraham" Lincoln and then proceeded to Michigan, where he en- 
joyed a pleasant vacation and also had a brief experience in spending some 
of the money he had very recently made in western mines. The war having 
just begun he enlisted under Captain Fisher in a Michigan regiment of 
infantrv and served for three months, meantime participating in the battle 
of Bull* Run. On the expiration of his time he visited his father in Missouri 
and there the fighting war spirit, inherited from his grandfather, a Revolu- 
tionary soldier, and exhibited in the Mexican war service by his uncle, dis- 
plaved itself when he was threatened by the southerners of the community. 
Scarcely had he arrived at the parental home when a gang of men came 
there and started to attack him. but he immediately pulled out a revolver 
and declared he would shoot the first one who laid hands on him. With 
that they sullenly retreated. The feeling in the neighborhood was bitter. 
Factional spirit was strong. Those in sympathy with the Union joined to- 
gether and recruited horses and supplies. A sister of Mr. Glazier made a 
Union flag and it was presented to the company, who, carrying that em- 
blem, marched through the Confederate quarters and took two hundred men 
with a loss of twenty on their own side. All of their prisoners took the 
oath of allegiance to the Union and promised to render no further assistance 
to the Confederacy. During March of 1863 the company was assigned to 
a cavalry of Union troops and took part in the battle of Pea Ridge and 
the siege of Vicksburg. 

While fleeing from Little Rock to Devall's Bluff, Ark., in order to escape 
from the enemy, the company traveled by night as well as by day. At the 
battle of Clarendon. Ark., Mr. Glazier was severely ruptured and the horse 
he rode was shot from under him. Later he lost another horse in battle. 
General Price was raiding Missouri at that time and the Union soldiers 
engaged in his pursuit, which gave them an abundance of thrilling experi- 
ences. On one occasion they captured two hundred and twenty prisoners 
and took them to Carthage. Mo. While serving as chief orderly Mr. Glazier 
was transferred to General Sherman's command and took part in the march 
to the sea, later returning to Nashville. Next he was ordered to Mobile 
bay to report to Gen. Andrew J. Smith and from there was sent to Browns- 
ville. Tex., via New Orleans. On the 12th of July he was mustered out at 
St. Louis as an orderly sergeant, having three times refused a commission 
as lieutenant. Out of* thirty-eight who enlisted he and five others alone 



962 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



returned and as they parted they took down the old flag, endeared to them 
by many sacred associations, and cutting it into the necessary pieces, each 
took one away as a souvenir of eventful war times. 

Shortly after his return from the war Mr. Glazier was made deputy 
sheriff of Livingston county, Mo. During the period of his service in office 
he married Miss Mary L., daughter of William and Avaline (Perkins) 
Moore, the former born in Yorkshire, England, and the latter in Tennessee. 
Mrs. Glazier was born in Hancock county, 111., but was reared and edu- 
cated in Keokuk, Iowa. Three children blessed their union, but one of these 
died in infancy and Eva died in childhood. William H., the only member 
of the family to attain maturity, is a horticulturist near Napa. Upon com- 
ing to California in 1872 Mr. Glazier settled at Yuba City, Sutter county, 
where he worked for Hugh Jones, the inventor of the threshing machine 
bearing his name. After five years he removed to Colusa county and still 
later he went to Yolo county, where he carried on a hotel, and also for a 
time engaged in the meat business. Tulare county was his next location. 
His efforts there were disastrous and entailed heavy losses. After a short 
sojourn on a ranch near Stockton he went to Benicia, Solano county. About 
1907 he came to Napa county and bought twenty-two and one-half acres in 
Brown's valley, where he made his home until his death. Two acres of 
the farm are in fruit and the balance is in pasture. In politics he favored 
Republican principles and while living in Yolo county he served as deputy 
sheriff. At one time he was a prominent worker in the local camp of Red 
Men and in addition he was actively associated with the Grand Army of 
the Republic. Among his most prized possessions was a badge presented 
to him by General Phil Sheridan during the war and he also had other 
relics associated with those stirring times. Mr. Glazier died at his home 
September 6, 1911, leaving a wife and son to mourn his loss. He was buried 
at Sutter City in the family lot. Mr. and Mrs. Glazier joined the Christian 
Church in their youth. 



EUGENE J. DRUSSEL. 

The successful and capable manager and secretary of the Guarantee 
Abstract Company of Napa is Eugene J. Drussel, a native of California, born 
in San Francisco July 22, 1874, the son of Daniel and Julia (Bonnet) 
Drussel. A native of Germany, the father came to the United States when 
a youth in the early '50s. Crossing the plains, he was engaged in mining 
in Idaho for a time, and later came to California, first engaging in business 
in Calistoga, Napa county, and later taking up his residence in San Fran- 
cisco. Throughout his later years he combined mining with the cattle 
business, and was thus engaged at the time of his death, about the year 1882. 
The mother was born in Paris, France, where she was reared and educated 
in a convent. She crossed the ocean and the plains as a ward of Gen. John 
C. Fremont, and her life abounds in interesting incidents of the early days. 
She now makes her home in Oakland with her only daughter, Eleanor. 

Of the four children born to his parents, Eugene J. Drussel was next 
to the youngest and he and his sister just mentioned are the only ones living. 
He was educated in the public schools of Watsonville and Oakland and 
after his graduation he entered the office of Krause & Lyons, abstractors, 
of Oakland, Cal. For one year he remained in their employ and then went 
to the Stocker & Holland Abstract Company, of the same city, remaining 
there for over fifteen years. He then bought out the Alameda County Ab- 
stract Company, and after running this business for one year he sold out 
to John McCarthy and associated himself with the Central Title and Insur- 
ance Company of San Francisco and Oakland. Coming to Napa in 1905 




§ 



$ 




HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 965 

he installed the plant of the Guarantee Abstract Company of Napa, and be 

came secretary and general manager of the same. His years of experience 
are proving an invaluable asset to him in this capacity, and in his line he 
is an expert. The Guarantee Abstract Company was incorporated in l'X)5 
with the following officers: T. \. Mount, president; \Y. 1). Mackinder, 
vice-president; W. T. Rutherford, secretary, and the James II. Goodman 
Co. Bank, treasurer. This company does the major portion of the abstract- 
ing oi Napa county. 

In May. 1911, Mr. Drussel was elected member oi the city council of 
Napa by a large majority, representing the people of the first ward. Ik- 
has thrown himself in the work with the same zeal and vigor he has shown 
in his business and this has been recognized in his appointmenl as chairman 
of the finance committee, while he is also serving with different members 
of the council on other important committees. 

Mr. Drussel is a member of the California band Title Association, and 
the American Association of Title Men. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Native Sons of the Golden West. 
Woodmen of the World. Fraternal ( >rder of Eagles and Knights of the 
Maccabees. He was married in 1896 to Margaret E. Callahan, a nativi 
California, and they have four children. Madeline. Dorothy. Eugene and 
Elmere. Mr. and Mrs. Drussel are well known in social circles in Napa 
and have a large number of friends and acquaintances. 



DITTMER BROTHERS. 

As an example of the results to be achieved in agricultural pursuit--, when 
the combined efforts of a number of energetic young men are turned toward 
the attainment of a single end. mention may be made of the sons of William 
Dittmer. himself for years one of the industrious and sturdy farmers of 
Solano county. The family is of Teutonic extraction and the father was born 
in Hanover May 12. 1820. receiving an excellent education in the schools for 
which Germany long has been noted. Upon attaining his majority he crossed 
the ocean to the United States and settled in Missouri, where at once he 
secured employment as a gardener. Gradually he became familiar with the 
English language and with the customs of the people among whom he lived. 
With the increased knowledge of the language, people and the soil he received 
larger wages and was able to save more for future needs. 

Although desirous of coming to California immediately after learning of 
the discovery of gold there, it was not possible for Mr. Dittmer to come until 
1854. He then made the long journey via Panama and after two months of 
travel he landed in San Francisco. At once he went on to the gold mines 
and for more than eight years he labored as a miner, meanwhile enduring the 
vicissitudes incident to such an existence. Upon leaving the mines and com- 
ing to Solano county he invested his earnings in a dairy near Sacramento. 
which he ran for about three years. In 1871 he purchased land two and a 
half miles north of Dixon and started a ranch which is now the family home. 
He was married in San Francisco in 1876 to Miss Eliza Cope, a native of 
Hanover. Their five sons are Augustus, William, Frederick. Henry and 
Charles. The three daughters are Mamie. Mrs. Warnken, of Dixon; Elise, 
Mrs. Morrell. also of Dixon; and Caroline. Mrs. Mohler, of Winters. William 
Dittmer passed away July 28. 1910. With his wife he was a member of the 
German Lutheran Church in Dixon. Since the death of her husband Mrs. 
Dittmer has continued to reside on the old home place and look after her 
interests. 

A large area of territory is under control of the brothers, all of whom 



966 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



engage in agricultural pursuits. Working in unison, they have been able 
to achieve greater results than would have been possible single-handed. Be- 
sides the one hundred and sixty acres at Dixon the mother owns three hun- 
dred and twenty acres near Winters ; the brothers own six hundred and 
eleven acres of land in the same vicinity, besides they lease several hundred 
acres for raising grain. Experience has proved that there are quicker returns 
from the cultivation of the land than from the raising of stock and the brothers 
therefore make a specialty of grain, but at times engage extensively in the 
stock industry and always with considerable profit. None of them has been 
active in politics, but all vote the Republican ticket in national elections and 
in local campaigns give their allegiance to the men whom they consider best 
qualified to promote the welfare of the people. Two of the brothers have 
taken a warm interest in Woodmen affairs and hold influential positions in 
the local lodge, giving through its agents to charitable projects and helpless 
families, while all of the family have been generous contributors to move- 
ments for the permanent upbuilding of Solano county. 



JOSEPH ZEBIDEE EWING. 

Few interesting experiences had broken the monotony of routine affairs 
in the boyhood and youth of Mr. Ewing, who had been reared on farms in 
the central states and had received the education common to the middle 
half of the nineteenth century. Born in Lorain county, Ohio, March 17, 1840, 
he has few recollections of the place of his birth, for he was only four years 
of age when the family left that state to locate further west. The first 
stop was made in Hancock county, 111., near the shores of the Mississippi 
river. Three years afterward removal was made to DeKalb county, same 
state, where land was secured, buildings erected and the task commenced 
of earning a livelihood from the cultivation of the virgin soil. With the 
eager ambitions of early maturity Mr. Ewing found himself planning for 
emigration to the west as soon as he had attained his majority. During the 
spring of 1862 he joined an expedition bound for the west. Three wagons 
formed the train, which started west with one hundred head of horses be- 
sides other stock. Guards were stationed at the camp every night. The 
utmost care was exercised in the hope that the stock might be kept from 
the Indians. The emigrants traveled without special incident to Fort Lar- 
amie, thence to Salt Lake and from there to the sink of the Humboldt, next 
following the route to Virginia City, Nev., and Marysville, Cal., where the 
company dispersed on the 20th of July, 1862, each one anxious to secure 
employment without delay. 

The first work secured by Mr. Ewing was that of teamster between 
Marysville to Washoe, Nev., later from Washoe to Peace river, and in the 
third season he teamed from Washoe to Honey lake. Next he took up land 
in the Surprise valley, Modoc county, where in addition to farming he engaged 
in teaming for four years." Removing to the coast country in 1876 he took 
up land in Del Norte county, Cal., and for twenty-eight years he carried on 
general agriculture there, with a specialty of dairying. By industry and 
frugality he became the owner of two hundred and eight acres of bottom 
land and redwood timber on the Klamath river three miles from the coast. 
Years of toil were devoted to the upbuilding of the farm and in 1894 he 
disposed of the place, after which he came to the Napa valley and bought 
one hundred and thirty acres forming a part of the old Yount grant. Ten 
acres are under cultivation to a vineyard that produces large crops of luscious 
grapes, while twenty-five acres have been planted to a new vineyard. A 
family orchard affords fruits of all kinds in their season and there are also 
twenty-five acres of young fruit trees. The balance of the farm is under 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

cultivation to grain, or in meadow and pasture, the whole forming a val 
uable and productive tract, known as the Aurilla farm, whose Fortunate 
owner is regarded as possessing one of the best places in the valley. 

Mr. Ewing was married in Modoc county. Cal., to Miss Sarah McDaniel, 
a native oi this state and a woman iA capability and intelligence. They are 
the parents of three daughters, Ensa 1... Ilertha 1.. and Elma G. The 
youngest daughter is the wife of Frank Evans and the mother of two chil- 
dren. Lanty and Rachel. Bertha 1... who received an excellent education in 
the college at Eureka, Cal., married George Reynolds, of Oakland, and they 
have one daughter, Elma. It was the aim of Mr. Ewing to give his daugh- 
ters good educational advantages and he also has been interested in seeing 
that all of the children of the community enjoy Opportunities for study. 
In that respect he rendered efficient service through filling the office of school 
trustee. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally he belongs to the 
Ancient Order <>i United Workmen. As a farmer and horticulturist he is 
prudent, resourceful and capable, and by industrious application has won 
a deserved success, securing from the sale of fruit, grapes, stock and general 
farm products a neat income each year in return for his care and cultivation. 



GEORGE FRANK GARDNER. 

A name well known in Xapa county is that of George Frank Gardner. 
He was born in Wooden valley September 8, 1855, a son of George Gordon 
and Sarah T. (Rice) Gardner, the former a native of Arkansas, and a de- 
scendant of an old southern family. The senior Gardner served in the Mexi- 
can war and came to California in 1849, soon returning to Arkansas. Later 
he came again to California, where he remained a short time. He then 
went to Tennessee and was there married and in 1852, with his bride, came 
to the Pacific coast, crossing the plains with ox teams and soon afterward 
settled in Xapa county, where he reared his family, and where he died in 
1881. His wife was of German ancestry, and through the Dodsons became 
connected with that Rice family so well known in Tennessee. The children 
born to G. G. Gardner and wife were George F., John H., J. B., Mrs. T. I. F. 
Johnson, and Mrs. G. W. Hill. 

George F. Gardner was educated primarily in the public schools of the 
county and in the Solano county schools, completing his studies in Napa 
College in 1873. He had already entered the business world, at the age of 
fifteen, being employed by Mansfield & Theodore, in Vacaville. His school 
days over he entered the employ of Van Beever & Thompson, general mer- 
chants in Xapa, remaining with this concern through its changes for the fol- 
lowing seven years. In August, 1881, he went to Lakeport and became 
manager and part owner of the Farmers' Business Association. Leaving 
Lakeport in 1884. he located in the Soscol valley. One year later he went 

lonticello and clerked for G. S. McKenzie, in the general merchandise 
business. In 1887 he opened the Samuel Springs, at Berryessa, on the Los 
Putas rancho; these he improved during the following twelve months and, 
returning to Xapa. became bookkeeper for James & Son. It was during 
this time that he became interested in politics and was elected tax collector 
and treasurer of Xapa county and assumed the duties of the position Jan- 
uary 1. 1893. For two years he served with eminent satisfaction, as was 
shown by his re-election to the office at the two subsequent elections, and for 
ten consecutive years he ably filled that position of trust. In the campaign 
of 1902 he was succeeded in office and then became assistant to his succes- 
sor, thus giving the office the benefit of his valued services. In all the years 
that he has been identified with the county he has held the esteem of the 
people and as a Native Son. he has taken an interest in all its progressive 



968 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



movements. Mr. Gardner is an expert accountant and has been called to 
inspect books in various places. Such a call came to him from Grants Pass, 
Ore., and after he had completed his work he was employed there by a large 
hardware firm as head bookkeeper, and is there so employed (1911). 

November 7, 1880, in the Soscol valley, Napa county, George Frank 
Gardner married Miss Dora L. Hill, who was born in the Soscol valley in 
1858, the daughter of James Hill, who came to California in 1852. Mr. Hill 
was a well known rancher in Napa county, and while he did not long survive, 
he made his influence felt and maintained the respect of his neighbors and 
friends. He died from becoming overheated, while working at threshing, in 
1869. His wife, Nancy (Gray) Hill, survived him several years. Of the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner the following children were born : James E., 
George Cecil and Edgar Frank. They were all born, reared and educated in 
Napa county, and have become useful and honored in their various places 
of residence. 

Mr. Gardner is a Democrat in politics, giving his time and influence to 
promote the best interests of his party. He is a Native Son, a Red Man, and 
an Odd Fellow, and has taken an active interest in the different branches 
of the latter order, and with Mrs. Gardner has membership in the Rebekahs. 
He has served as vice-president of the Rebekah Assembly of the state. 



D. J. BROWN. 

During his life work as locomotive engineer D. J. Brown has driven 
locomotives in ten states and territories, from Rock Island in the north to 
Atlanta in the south ; from the West Virginia line to the Pacific coast and 
south as far as the Rio Grande and El Paso. A portion of his experience 
was during the Civil war, in which he served as an engineer and also as a 
volunteer. 

D. J. Brown was born in Patterson, N. Y., in 1838, moving from there 
to Cincinnati when he was a boy. His father, who was a bridge builder, 
built the large suspension bridge at Cincinnati, Ohio. D. J. Brown studied 
locomotive engineering at the Covington Locomotive Works, Covington, Ky., 
where he worked as an apprentice and learned to put machinery together 
as well as learning to run a locomotive. His first employment was in run- 
ning an engine on the old Lexington and Southern Kentucky Railroad. He 
was running into Lexington, Ky., at the outbreak of the war, and all north- 
erners were ordered out of that city. In common with some others, he was 
given three days in which to make good his exit, for he was looked upon as 
a spy and a conspirator. A mass meeting was held and threats were made 
against him. One man in the crowd, who seemed to be a friend, took him 
to one side and, giving him a pistol, told him to defend himself and they 
would stand with him. He remained a week, when the committee secured 
his discharge, when, of course, he left. 

After leaving the south Mr. Brown enlisted in the army at the first call 
for troops, being attached to the Second Iowa Infantry at Iowa City. He 
served with this regiment for three years and saw active service in the 
following battles: Fort Donelson, Shilo, Siege of Corinth, Battle of Corinth, 
Iuka and The Hatchie, as well as fighting in several smaller battles. He 
was mustered out in 1864. For fifteen months he ran an engine on the U. S. 
Military railroad from Nashville to Chattanooga. He pulled one of the 
last trains out of Atlanta at the time of General Sherman's evacuation. After 
the war he ran on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad for three years, and 
on the Missouri Valley Railroad, from St. Joseph to Kansas City, for five years. 

Coming to California, Mr. Brown entered the employ of the Southern 
Pacific Company and remained therein for more than twenty years. He has 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES ««»«> 

been all over their lines in the west and in California, operating their li 
motives. For six years he was foreman of the Rocklin repair six »p at Rocklin, 
east of Sacramento For eight years he pulled trains out of the Oakland mole 
and for five years operated over the Santa Rosa and Napa branch of the 
Southern Pacific Company's road. It was while on this latter run that he 
became well acquainted with General Yallejo, who used to ride on his cab 
and hold many interesting conversations with him. 

Mr. Brown bought his ranch m the Carncros district in 1SS4. The ab- 
stract ran back to the Spanish grant and was a part of the Salvador grant. 
General Yallejo once told -Mr. Brown that at one time he had a grant ex- 
tending from Petaluma to Suisun and twenty miles back from tide water. 
intimate were Mr. Brown and General Yallejo that when the latter died 
the former draped his engine with flags and in black in honor of the friend- 
ship of the great man. For this act Mr. Brown received a Utter of thanks 
from the friends and relatives of the deceased General Vallejo. 

Mr. Brown came to the valley to live on his ranch in 1893, where he 
has fifty acres of fine land in fruit and grapes. In 1867 he married Kate 
Barhyte. a native of New York; they adopted a child, who is now Mrs. Nellie 
Hubbard. Mr. Brown is a life member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive 
Engineers. Few men have lived a more active life or passed through more 
trying experiences. 



JOSEPH OBERTE. 

The peculiar adaptiveness of the native sons of Italy to the climate, 
resources and opportunities of California, finds emphatic expression in the 
success of Joseph Oberte. known to the region about Cordelia as an extensive 
rancher, and to the town itself as a wine manufacturer, and progressive, en- 
lightened citizen. The initial experience of Mr. Oberte as a grape grower and 
wine manufacturer was gained in the vineyards of his father in sunny Italy, 
where he was born in 1856. His education was limited not only by the 
scarcity of schools in the rural districts, but by the need of his constant ser- 
vices in maintaining the home place. Seeing little prospect for gaining a foot- 
hold in his own country, he came to America, and the extent of his resources 
may be determined when it is known that on his arrival in San Francisco in 
April. 1875. he had but seventy-five cents. He hired out to A. B. Passalacqua, 
in Yallejo. and for three years worked at gardening and in his store, after 
which he came to Green valley, where for seven years he worked in a vineyard. 
He continued to accumulate money by spending less than he made, and in 
May. 1888. he returned to Italy to visit his father, who survived thereafter 
until 1901. His mother died in' 1867. 

Mr. Oberte's reward for years of perseverance in his adopted land even- 
tually took form in his splendid ranch of two hundred and twenty acres, the 
greater part of which is under fruit. He has improved his leisure by research 
along many lines, but particularly has acquainted himself with all branches 
of horticulture, and in this connection is one of the best posted men in the 
county. In 1885 he established his winery, known as the Green Valley 
Winery, the annual capacity of which was three hundred and fifty thousand 
gallons. He also operated a still with a daily capacity of seven hundred and 
thirty-five gallons. His products had a reputation for excellence extending 
far beyond the borders of the state, and his business long had been on a sound 
and paying commercial basis. Unfortunately, on July 19, 1911, while he was 
on a trip to Walters springs, the winery took fire and burned to the ground. 
causing a total lo— 

Mr. Oberte has been a Mason many years, and is a member of Suisun 
Lodge No. 55, 1". & A. ML, Solano Chapter No. 43. R. A. M., and Naval Com- 



970 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



mandery No. 19, K. T., in Vallejo. Politically he is a Republican. He has 
been thrice married. In 1883 he married Louisa Misters, a native of Cali- 
fornia, who became the mother of two children, one of whom, Frank W., is 
living. Mrs. Oberte died in 1887, and in May, 1888, Mr. Oberte married her 
sister, Sophia, who met with a fatal accident in 1889. In 1897 Mr. Oberte 
married Edith Handeberger, who was born in Stockholm, Sweden. It is an 
interesting fact to chronicle that the store in which Mr. Oberte worked in 
Vallejo for about two and one-half years after he came to California is now 
owned by him. This property he rebuilt in 1900, now having a two-story 
brick and steel structure which is rented for business purposes and is located 
at Nos. 139-141 Georgia street. 



JOHN DAVIDSON. 

The mental attributes that stand out most conspicuously in Mr. David- 
son's character are those which lie at the basis of all effective citizenship 
and any careful study made of his achievements would indicate a bent of 
mind toward progressive public activities. A resident of Vallejo throughout 
the greater part of his life, he has promoted many enterprises of civic im- 
portance and has served efficiently as a member of the board of freeholders 
elected in October, 1910, to draft a new charter for the city, and was one 
of the most active in advocating and securing the commission form of gov- 
ernment for Vallejo. In no line of public service has he been more active 
than in educational matters. For eight years he was a member of the board 
of education and during six of these years he officiated as president of the 
board, filling that responsible post with energy, intelligence and fidelity. 
Indeed, for some time he devoted much of his time to a study of the public 
school system with a view to making local changes where advisable. As a 
result of his study he established a new system of promotion in the schools 
and also established a commercial course in the high school, which has 
proved a very popular feature of the advanced educational work. 

Born in Dundee, Scotland, during December of 1870, Mr. Davidson's 
recollections of his native land are those which nature implants in the plastic 
mind of a child, dimmed by long years of absence from such surroundings. 
When eleven years of age he accompanied his parents to America and settled 
in San Francisco, where he attended the public schools and secured a fair 
education. Upon leaving school he was apprenticed to the trade of a ship- 
joiner with the Union Iron Works Company of that city and remained in 
the same position until the expiration of his time, after which he worked 
at his trade in San Francisco. In 1893 he came to Vallejo and secured em- 
ployment at the Mare Island navy yard. For fifteen years he continued as 
a ship-joiner in government service, but during June, 1907, he resigned in 
order to accept the position of outside manager of the Peerless Manufactur- 
ing Company, continuing with them for eighteen months, when he engaged 
in the contracting business in Vallejo. He is devoting considerable attention 
to repair work also, and among other private and public buildings he has 
remodeled is the St. Vincent hotel. From the government he secured the 
contract for converting building No. 69 on Mare Island from a general shop 
into a fine office structure with modern equipment. 

At the age of twenty years Mr. Davidson married Miss Martha L. Gil- 
more, a native of California and a lady possessing genuine worth of char- 
acter with excellent educational attainments. To the union four children 
were born, Hazel, Mazie, John H. and Heather. Always interested in the 
great problems affecting capital and labor, Mr. Davidson has been promi- 
nent in various organizations of workingmen. For three terms he served 
as president of the local labor council and during the past six years he has 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 971 

efficiently filled the position of secretary of the council. He was one of the 
anizers of the State Federation oi Labor and for two trims he was hon- 
ored with the office of presidenl of the organization and in thai important 
capacity he won friends throughout every part of the commonwealth, secur 
ing widespread recognition for forceful ability no less than for devotion t>> 
the rights of the laboring man. Fraternally he has been active in Court 
Solano No. 909, I. O. F. He is also a member and pasl chancellor of Wash 
ington Lodge Xo. 7, K. 1'.. holds offict as captain of Washington Company 
No. 4 ( >, L". R. K. P., and is secretary of Vallejo Lodge No. 468, Loyal Order 
^i Moose and secretary of Vallejo Aerie No. 71, F. O. E. Whether he is 
giving his attention to educational work or to fraternal activities, whether 
to the councils of labor or the enterprises that form the basis of his liveli 
hood, he evinces steadfast perseverance, unwavering integrity and keen in- 
telligence and these qualities have brought him a high standing in his home 
localitv. 



GEORGE W. GILDERSLEEVE. 

A native of Xew York. George \V. Gildersleeve was born in (den Cove, 
Long Island. December 31, 1828. and died in Santa Rosa, Cal., in 1906. At 
the age of eleven years he moved to the east end of Long Island and resided 
with an uncle for five years, and then, when about sixteen years old, he 
returned to Cold Springs and learned the silverware trade. April 15. 1850, 
he sailed from New York for San Francisco via Cape Horn, reaching that 
city on September 17. Going immediately to Stockton, he embarked in 
the dairy business, continuing this successfully for three years. In 1853 
he located on government land near Stockton, which he farmed until 1862, 
when he sold out his interests and going to San Francisco, engaged in the 
wood and coal business. From 1866 until 1871 he engaged in teaming. 
and in the year last mentioned he came to Napa county and settled on a 
ranch ten miles northwest of Napa city. On this fertile place he engaged 
in farming, fruit raising and timber cutting and stock raising for many years, 
or until 1903, when he moved to Santa Rosa and settled down to peace and 
quiet. It was in this place that the end came in 1906. 

Mr. Gildersleeve married Charlotta A. White February 24, 1865, she 
being a native of Chelsea. Mass., born December 22, 1842, and she died 
in Xapa in 1903. Five children were born of this marriage: George \\ '.. 
born November 19. 1865. and residing in Sacramento; Susie M., born Sep- 
tember 22, 1867. now Mrs. William Ashley, of Xapa; Charles H., born Sep- 
tember 15, 1869, residing in Xapa; Fred W.. born February 13, 1872. and 
residing in Los Angeles; and Eddie S.. born June 29, 1874, and residing in 
Merced. 



JAMES W. PLEASANTS. 

The Pleasants patronymic is well known throughout this section of the 
country and is indissolubly connected with the rise and the progress of the 
state. In 1850 three discontented miners came to Solano county and in one 
of its most fertile parts began a life of sacrifice before which a youth of 
today might well quail. This trio was composed of the grandfather, father 
and uncle of James W. Pleasants. The first named is deceased, having gone 
to his long rest February 14, 1899; the others and their offspring still per- 
petuate the Pleasants name and reputation in Solano county and in other 
parts of the state. 

James W. Pleasants was born in the valley in Solano county bearing 
his family name. June 30, 1867, son of William J. and Nancy (Hopper) Pleas 



972 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



ants. A sketch of the father appears elsewhere in this volume. Of the eight 
children in the family James W. was the fifth. He lived at the Pleasants 
home until 1903, acquiring a common school education. He bought thirty- 
five acres of fruit land two and a half miles west of Winters, and on this 
has established himself very comfortably. About sixteen acres are in orchard 
and in 1910 sixteen tons of fruit, mostly peaches, were produced. The bal- 
ance of the ranch is devoted to vegetables and the raising of hay. Mr. 
Pleasants has unbounded confidence in the future of this section of Cali- 
fornia and looks forward to the time when the fruit industry will show a 
decided material increase, for, with many others, he is satisfied that climatic 
and soil conditions combine to make Solano county an ideal place for the 
carrying on of this valuable industry. 

Mr. Pleasants married Lucy E. Johnson, a native of Messina, St. Law- 
rence county, N. Y., the daughter of Francis and Annie (Hennigan) Johnson. 
Mrs. Johnson died in New York and in 1884 Mr. Johnson came to California 
and settled with his family in Woodland, where he died in 1891. His sons, 
under the name of Johnson Brothers, are well known merchants in Woodland 
and Sacramento. Mrs. Pleasants was a graduate of Woodland Business Col- 
lege and a teacher of penmanship. Politically Mr. Pleasants is a Prohibi- 
tionist. He and his wife have a large circle of friends, who respect them for 
their true worth. 



ARTHUR JAMES BROWN. 

The name of the Brown family is well known in Solano county, for it 
belongs to men who have been active in the building up of this section of 
the state for more than half a century, during which period none may be 
said to have worked harder for county development than the bearers of 
this patronymic. Arthur J. Brown, a prominent farmer and well known 
resident of Maine Prairie, was born in Solano county in the house in which 
he now lives, Admission Day, September 9, 1863. His father, Jackson Fay 
Brown, was a pioneer of Solano county and a descendant of a substantial 
old New England family. As a boy Arthur J. was given a public school 
education and became proficient in every branch of farming as it was then 
conducted. Thus was he fitted efficiently to succeed his father when, in 1909, 
the latter was called to his last resting place. 

The property of Arthur J. Brown includes eleven hundred and twenty 
acres of land, a portion of his father's old home place. Three hundred and 
twenty acres of this is planted in barley, the rest being used as pasture land. 
He owns one thousand head of sheep of Shropshire and Merino strains and 
makes a specialty also of other stock. His place is pleasantly situated eight 
miles south of Dixon and about five miles east of Elmira. 

Mr. Brown married Lila J. Burrows, a native of Santa Clara county, 
and to them have been born the following named children : Elmer M., Ora 
L., Eva H., Arthur J. Jr., Ina M. (deceased), Homer J., Grace V., Herbert 
D. Ora L. is attending the College of the Pacific at San Jose. Eva H. is 
at the Dixon high school. Elmer was graduated from the Polytechnic Busi- 
ness College at Oakland and is assisting his father. Mrs. Brown's father, 
Joseph Burrows, a descendant of an old English family, was born in Eng- 
land in 1829 and came to California in 1856, bringing his family. He was a 
miner for almost twenty years and then took up ranching, which he followed 
until 1898. The following children were born to him : Joseph H., of Ari- 
zona, Eliza A. (Mrs. Murray, deceased), Richard J. of Elmhurst, Mary E. 
(Mrs. Sparling of Dixon), and Lila J. Mr. Brown has been for many years 
clerk of the board of trustees of the Binghampton district. He prefers to 
wield his acknowledged influence in a quiet and unassuming manner. Dur- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 973 

ing his sojourn in Solano county he has seen land values advance from $5 
an acre to $300 an acre. He is a man of fine public spirit, helpful to all move 
ments having for their object the advancement of the interests of his town, 
county and state. 



\\ 1 1. 1.1AM D. PETERSEN. 

A son of that well-known and worthy pioneer settler and resident of 

Solano county. Henry Petersen, William D. Petersen was born on the old 
home place near Dixon. April _'. 1875. This lias been his lifelong home and 
he owns the property. Alter completing his studies in the common schools 

^i Dixon he entered the high school of that city and graduated therefrom in 
1897. Mis school days over, he engaged in farming and stock raising and he 
now owns six hundred and forty acres half a mile south of Dixon, where he 
makes his home with his brother, J. 11. Together thc\ cany on their father's 
estate at Rio Vista, a tract of four thousand acres, devoted to grain and 
raising sheep. For gathering their large crops the} have a combined harvester, 
and taken together they are among the largest and most successful ranchers 
in Solano county. They make a specialty of raising Shropshire and Merino 
sheep. The estate owns thirty-two hundred acres of land at \ aca\ ille. which 
is used for a cattle range, and together William I), and J. II. own twenty-six 
hundred acres at Capay, which they devote to farming and stock-raising. 

In Sacramento, William D. Petersen was married to Emma Apperson, a 
native of Dixon, and they have two children. Klizabeth and Marjoric. Mr. 
Petersen is a stockholder in the Hank of Dixon, of which his brother J. II. 
is president. Politically he is a Republican, and takes an active part in fur- 
thering all public enterprise s. 



AXSEL PUTNAM PLEASANTS. 

Among the younger men of merit deserving a permanent place in the 
annals of Solano county is one of the son> .if a worthy pioneer, William 
James Pleasants, a biographical notice of whom appears elsewhere in this 
work. Ansel P. Pleasants is a native of the county, having been born in 
the valley named in honor of his father. February 6, 1860. He resided with 
parents and received his education in the public school and at Vacaville 
college, and upon the completion of his studies applied himself to the work 
of the ranch. He was early trained to raising fruit, for which that section 
is noted, and it was to be expected that when he entered upon an independent 
career he would take up that pursuit. He purchased as a nucleus of his 
present place, forty acres in the Wolfskill sub-division. This he improved 
and added to as his means would permit and he is now the owner of one 
hundred and seventy-four acres of as productive land as is to be found in 
that locality, all of it under cultivation. One hundred and thirty acres are 
devoted to peaches, apricots, plums and grapes. In 1 ( »10 he had ninety tons 
of green apricots (when dried there were eleven tons), and about fifty tons 
of dried peaches. He makes a specialty of peeling peaches, as does his father. 
Besides operating his own place he bases other land on which he raises hay 
and fruit. He keeps stock for his own purposes and his improvements mi 
the home place, adequate for his need-, wire placed thereon principally by 
himself. 

Mr. Pleasants was married in San Francisco to Miss Mary Hanson, a 
native of Muscatine, Iowa, who has lived in California since her early girl 
hood and is a graduate of the San Francisco Normal school. Three children 
were born to Mr. and Mr-. Pleasants. Grace M.. Elizabeth and William Irv- 

44 



974 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



ing, the last named of whom is dead. The elder daughter is a student at 
Mills College at Oakland. In politics Mr. Pleasants supports such men and 
measures as he believes promise most for the good of the country. He is 
a member of the Winters organization of Woodmen of the World, and has 
served as school trustee for several years. He has devoted his time closely 
to his home interests and by so doing has gained deserved success. Mr. 
and Mrs. Pleasants have a large circle of appreciative friends. 



HANS NISSEN HANSEN. 

Born in Sleswick-Holstein, Denmark (now Prussia), August 21, 1857, 
Hans N. Hansen remained in the home of his forefathers twenty years, gain- 
ing an education by study and observation which has been useful to him 
in all his career. In 1877, when he was about twenty and full of hope and 
determination, he came to America by way of Quebec. On this initial jour- 
ney he came as far west as Humboldt county, Nevada, where he followed 
farming. In 1878 he came to Solano county, California, where he has since 
lived. Not being over-burdened with this world's goods on his arrival in 
this country, he was content to work for others, knowing that the time 
would come when he could purchase land of his own. As a steppingstone 
to this object, he rented land ten years, then bought fifty acres, a mile east 
of Elmira. Careful administration of his affairs enabled him to add sixty 
acres to his holding. Thirty-five acres he has planted in prunes and apricots, 
which now are full bearing. The balance of his acreage is used for general 
farming purposes, pasture, horse-raising and hog-raising. The land has been 
wonderfully improved under his careful farming, so that today it is very 
valuable. He is engaged also in grain raising, and rents four hundred acres 
for that purpose. 

Politically Mr. Hansen is a Democrat and a stanch supporter of his 
party. He believes that those concerned in the passage of any measure 
should have the right to nominate and elect representative men to guard 
their principles. At Sacramento, September, 1903, he married Miss Emma 
Higgins, a native of Solano county, who has borne him three boys, Harvey, 
Ernest and Donald. Mrs. Hansen is the daughter of Frank Higgins, also 
a native of Solano county and now a resident of Elmira. 



ROBERT M. MOORE. 

The discovery of gold in California brought the historic influx of citizens 
of the United States and men born in foreign lands in the final forties and 
the early fifties. The glowing tales told by travellers returning east from 
this state induced the coming of many seekers of fortune to this land who 
were successful, but many more returned to their former homes with heavy 
hearts and empty pocketbooks. Robert M. Moore came to California in 
those early "gold days" and sought fortune in the mines, but not finding 
it he turned his attention to other pursuits and so made a success of a life 
that might have been a failure. He was born in Missouri, June 1, 1838, and 
lived in his native place till he was fourteen years old, gaining an education 
in the common school and learning something about practical agriculture. 
He then went to Springfield, Mo., and later to Greenville, Mo., and followed 
farming and stock raising. 

In 1853 Mr. Moore yielded to the lure of the west. Coming to California 
he mined at Placerville until 1855. Meeting with only indifferent success he 
went to Sacramento and resumed farming, and was for twenty years a citizen 
of Sonoma county. During the early part of his residence there he attended 



HISTORY OF SOLAXO AND NAPA COUNTIES 975 

the Sonoma Presbyterian College at Sonoma. He was engaged in the sheep 

sing business for some years prior to his departure from Sonoma county 

for the San Joaquin Valley. Not being satisfied with lus prospects in the 

latter place, he came to Solano county in 1S ( >0. 

Mr. Moore married, in Kockville. near Green Valley, Miss leu -a 
1. amerce, a native of California, and she bore him four children: Jessie, 
Charles, Lulu and Teresa. His second marriage united him with Elizabeth 
Baker, a native of England, who bore him three children: Charles, Edward 
and Nellie. His second wife having died, he married, at Dixon, July. 1897, 
M. J. Royce, a native of Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Moore own and occupy in 
Dixon, Cal., a pretty little home at Jackson and Cherry streets. They own 
one whole block in that town and have erected four houses on it. Politically 
Mr. Moore is a stanch Democrat and supports the men and measures of his 
party to the best of his ability, lie is a member of the Chosen Friends and 
i^i the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious support and 
that oi Mrs. Moore is given to the Methodist Church South. 



JOHN HUNT. 

Strangers visiting Davisville for the first time inquire concerning the 
Hunt homestead and express a profound admiration for the artistic skill 
displayed and the picturesque effects secured in its architecture. This com- 
modious residence of twelve rooms contains all modern improvements and 
is furnished in a manner indicative of the refined tastes of the family. Sur- 
rounding it are large and beautiful grounds embellished with fruit and orna- 
mental trees. Perhaps the most conspicuous trees are twenty of a superior 
quality of orange, twenty-five years old. There are also fifteen orange trees 
seven years old. five lemon trees and a number of peach and apricot treo, 
besides many large shade trees. A neat brick walk affords convenient access 
to various parts of the grounds and to the residence itself. 

The owner of this attractive property was born in county Mayo, Ire- 
land, in 1840. At thirteen he crossed the ocean to the United States, and 
since then has been self-supporting. He worked for a time in New Orleans, 
whither he went from New York. After a brief sojourn in that city and in 
Wisconsin he returned to New York and secured employment there. The 
year 1859 found him an emigrant to California by way of the isthmus. No- 
vember 16, that year, he arrived in Sacramento and from there came to the 
site of Davisville. For a time he operated a large tract of leased land that 
later was sold to Robert Armstrong and eventually became the property of 
the state of California, which has converted it into an experiment station for 
agricultural products. During his early experiences in the west, he operated 
a freight business between Hangtown and the mines of Virginia City and 
Carson City. New. using two wagons and eight mules and carrying about 
eight tons to the load. SI. 000 having been the average price he received for 
a load of freight. 

Returning to the east Mr. Hunt settled near Kenosha, Wisconsin, and 
took up dairying and farming wdth success. Meanwhile he married, in Chi- 
cago. Miss Catharine McAllister. They are the parents of four children. 
Thomas. Mary, Josephine and Irene. The son. who was educated in eastern 
high schools, is farming and has displayed judgment and energy in his chosen 
field of labor. The two older daughters are graduates of Chicago high schools, 
and the youngest child is being educated in the Davisville schools. Some 
twentv years after he had left California Mr. Hunt returned to Davisville 
and bought three hundred and forty-three acres near there at S75 an acre. 
At this writing he owns and operates seven hundred acres adjoining Davis- 



976 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



ville, improved with neat buildings and under a high state of cultivation. 
Four hundred and fifty acres are in barley. The rest of the land is utilized 
for hay and pasture. All of Mr. Hunt's stock is the best of its kind. There 
are about one hundred and sixty head of hogs, all of pure-bred Poland-China 
types. In cattle the shorthorn Durham is the breed represented by the two 
hundred head kept on the farm and the herd is headed by the very choicest 
of pure-bred animals. Five horses aid in the farm work and thirty mules 
are utilized in operating the combined harvester that cuts and threshes the 
grain. Since becoming a citizen of our country Mr. Hunt has voted the 
Democratic ticket, but he takes no active part in politics and on no occasion 
has he sought office. In religion he is identified with the Roman Catholic 
Church. 



JOHN DIXON LITTLE. 

In the life of the late John Dixon Little we have a splendid example of 
what a man of determination and strength of character may do: Born in 
Kentucky, August 1, 1840, a member of a family of two sons and five daugh- 
ters, it was just ten years later when he came to California by way of the 
Isthmus of Panama, and settled with his parents, John P. and Johanna Little, 
in Grass Valley, after they had tarried briefly in San Francisco. 

Mr. Little was a carpenter and worked at his trade for some time. Of 
good appearance and fine character he was respected by all with whom he 
came in contact. He long served as justice of the peace and notary public 
and for more than twenty years was a member of the school board and clerk 
of that body, and thus had a splendid opportunity to show his progressive 
spirit in matters educational. 

Mr. Little died in 1898 and is survived by his widow and family, who 
keep the memory of their loved one ever green, for he was a good husband 
and a kind father. Politically he was a Democrat and fraternally a member 
of the Independent Order of Good Templars. He was a communicant of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. At Monticello, March 8, 1868, he married 
Miss Caroline Sweitzer, a native of Northern Missouri. Ten children were 
born to them, seven of whom are now living: Albert, Wade, Henry, Rose- 
mond, Amy, Beatrice and Irma. Rosemond married D. McKenzie, a member 
of the firm of Cook and McKenzie, and they live in Monticello with their 
three sons. Albert married Harriet Swanson, a resident of Cloverdale, and 
has been the proprietor of the Peacock hotel for the last seven years. Wade 
married Emma Mangles of Cordelia ; they have one son. Amy married John 
Ferguson, superintendent of an oil lease in Coalinga oil fields. Beatrice 
married Clifford Clark and they reside in Monticello with their son, who is 
employed in a merchandise store. Henry is employed in the Coalinga oil 
fields. The youngest daughter, Irma, is Mrs. B. V. Scribner, of Monticello. 

When the parents of Mrs. Little (Mr. and Mrs. Sweitzer) came across 
the plains to California, there were nine children in the family and they 
were met by the state soldiers, who offered them protection from the Indians. 
On coming to California Mr. Henry Sweitzer, the father of Mrs. Little, was 
successful in mining in Grass Valley and made $12,000 from nuggets and 
gold dust there. He settled in Suisun Valley, where he bought some land, 
then moved to Berryessa Valley, where he purchased four hundred acres on 
which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1872, after which his 
widow moved back to the old family home in Suisun Valley. Mrs. Little 
resides in Monticello, Cal., and has the respect of the whole community, for 
her life has been an open book Avhich all could read. She has ever striven 
to promote the welfare of the vicinity in which she lives, and is rounding 
out the closing years of her eventful life with many good works. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \ X I > NAPA COUNTIES 977 

MARTIN VAN BUREN SPARKS. 

Frequent trips to California during the period of frontier development 
gave to Mr. Sparks a deep affection for the freedom and vastness ol the wesl 
and also gave to him the cosmopolitan breadth of views that travel always 

■ us. The first Of these western expeditions took place during the sum 

mer of 1850 and had its origin in the spirit of adventure thai colored the 

monotony oi his work as a farmer's son in Cooper county. Mo. The family 
had removed thither when he was six years of age, from their former home 
in North Carolina, where he was born in July of 1833 and where previous 
generations of the name had labored for a livelihood. A large nam of emi 
grants started from Missouri with wagoUs and oxen and proceeded via Fori 
Kearney and Salt Lake City, arriving in San Francisco at the close oi a 
tedious journey, untroubled by Indians and undisturbed by sickness among 
the emigrants or losses among the stock. 

A year spent in the mines of Placer county was followed by the return of 
the young emigrant to his Missouri home via Panama. Soon he started on a 
second trip to the west, this time driving a band of cattle and going as far as 
Sacramento. After a short sojourn he returned to his old home. Again in 
1S54 he crossed the plains, as before driving a herd of cattle and disposing of 
the stock in Sacramento, whence he came back to Missouri as soon as arrang< 
ments could be perfected for the trip. During 1859. in Cooper county. Mo.. 
he married Miss Sarah Judy, a native of Kentucky. They became the parents 
of ei^ht children, of whom Arthur. Martin and Lulu are deceased. The others 
are Richard A.. Ralph E.. Thomas A.. Lillian and Mabel. The first-named 
married Catharine Stephens and has three children. Archie. Myrvan and 
Richard A.. Jr. : Ralph E. chose as his wife Miss Laura Manning, and they are 
the parents of three children. Ralph E.. Jr., Alice and Virginia; Thomas A. 
married Anna Delebliss. a native of California, and they are the parents of 
three children : Lillian is the wife of John Fuller; and Mabel married Sherman 
Holladay. both sisters residing in Oakland. The children were given educa- 
tional advantages as thorough as the locality afforded. 

The wedding tour of Mr. and Mrs. Sparks consisted of a trip across the 
plains in a wagon drawn by oxen. The expedition was a large one. embracing 
a combination" of fourteen trains. The Indians proved very troublesome and 
endeavored to stampede the cattle, but the numerical strength of the emigrants 
enabled them to quell all disturbances without delay. When the party 
reached California they dispersed to various locations. Mr. Sparks settling in 
Wheatland. Yuba county, where he had sixteen hundred acres of land. In 
1882 he bought the Theodore Winters ranch at Winters. In 1888 he bought 
seven hundred and seventy-eight acres near Davisville. which he sold in 1907 
for a very large sum. forming the present state farm. In his community Mr. 
Sparks was known as an enterprising citizen, a capable business man and a 
stanch Democrat. For many years he held membership in the blue lodge of 
Masons. Since 1877 the family had made their home in Oakland, and in the 
residence on Sixteenth street in that city the death of Mr. Sparks occurred in 
August. 1909. bringing to a close seventy-six useful and busy years. 



RICHARD A. SPARKS. 

Through the pioneer efforts and accomplishment- of .Martin Van l'.uren 
Sparks the name became well known in Solano county, where he passed many 
useful years, and the work which he laid down at his death in 1909 is being 
carried' forward by his sons. The eldest of these, Richard A. Spark-, was 
born in Wheatland. Yuba county. Cal.. October 9. 1864. and ha- never known 
anv other home than the Golden West. A rancher from choice and inclina- 



978 HISTORY OF SOLAXO AXD XAPA COUNTIES 

tion, he is making a success of his undertakings and is held in the highest 
esteem by his fellow citizens. Altogether he owns twelve hundred acres of 
land, of which one section lies in Yolo county and is used as a sheep range 
principally, although adapted to farming to some extent. The remainder of 
his property forms the homestead of five hundred and sixty acres, six miles 
northwest of Dixon, where he has installed a large pumping plant and is rais- 
ing alfalfa. Having demonstrated to his satisfaction that there is no land in 
the state better adapted to the raising of alfalfa than the land in this section, 
he is gradually sowing his whole tract to this desirable commodity. On his 
land that is not as yet in alfalfa he is engaged in breeding and raising fine 
horses, cattle, mules, sheep and hogs. In addition to the property above 
mentioned Mr. Sparks also owns real estate in Sacramento. San Francisco 
and Oakland. 

Impartial observers claim that Mr. Sparks has on his home place one of 
the best pumping and irrigation plants in the whole state. The water is 
pumped by an electric motor from two twelve-inch wells sixty-two feet deep, 
located at the highest point on the ranch. From that eminence the water is 
readily run to every part of the farm as needed. Fraternally Mr. Sparks is 
identified with the Knights of Pythias at Dixon. Politically he follows his 
father's example in adhering to Democratic principles. The education he 
received in the public schools and Heald's Business College at San Francisco 
proved of value to him, but he owes his success more to native ability, to his 
own force of character and the environment and association of his father. 



WILLIAM McCANN. 

The life herein delineated began in Ireland in 1821 and ended in San 
Francisco in September, 1901. The intervening years were filled with vary- 
ing experiences, most of which had to do with business ventures of import- 
ance, in all of which he achieved success. In fact, Mr. McCann seems to 
have been one of the few men able to utilize the lessons of the past in the 
shaping of the future. He left Ireland and came to Baltimore, Md., in 1847, 
and lived in that city three years, working in the livery business. In 1849 
he left Baltimore in a ship coming to California around the Horn, and after 
a long and perilous trip arrived safely in San Francisco, January, 1850. 

From San Francisco he went to Placer and Eldorado counties and worked 
in the mines, also driving a freight team. As soon as he had saved sufficient 
money he purchased a team for himself and freighted until 1853, when he 
returned to Missouri via the Isthmus. The next year, 1854, he crossed the 
plains with a herd of cattle and several wagons. Soon after his arrival in 
Sacramento he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on Bear River, 
and lived on the property a year. Leaving that locality he came to Putah 
Creek, where Davisville now stands, and after a residence of twelve months 
there took up a quarter section of land at Tremont, Solano county. He added 
to his holdings from time to time until he owned eighteen hundred and forty 
acres. 

Mr. McCann married Mary Rogers, a native of Missouri, and she bore 
him one son and three daughters : Charles, Anna E., Susan and Elizabeth. 
Charles married Anna E. Connelly, a native of San Francisco, and they have 
four sons : Charles R., Raymond, Harold and Lester C. 

In 1859 William McCann started in the cattle business, in which he 
continued three years. His only shipping point was Maine Prairie and 
teams came for forty and fifty miles in order to bring his products to market. 
In 1862 he engaged in the grain business and also took up butchering, con- 
ducting a slaughter house on his own property. He lived a vigorous life 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 979 

and since his death his memory is honored by the tender recollections oi 

friends who survive him. 

Charles MeCann. the only son ol William ami Mary (Rogers) McCann, 

owns six hundred and forty acres of land nine miles southeast of Dixon, 

devoted to grain and stock raising. With his family he resides in Dixon. 
He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the R^\ Men. There 
•erv prospect that the rugged qualities of his ancestry inherited by him 
in no small degree, will bring to him as -real a measure of success m com 
mercial undertakings as that which attended the efforts of his father. 



JOHN G. BRADS II AW. 

Born in 1S24 in Kentucky, John G. Bradshaw lived at home until he 
was eighteen years of age. during- which time he received training in matters 
of primary education and also in those higher branches of learning and 
knowledge that can be received only from the lips of a good mother. At 
the age mentioned he removed to Missouri, locating in Benton county, and 
engaged in farm work. Not content with the limited horizon of a common 
agriculturist, the young man determined to come west and seek his fortune 
in the land that was then opening up. The tales of gold and of opportunity 
to amass a fortune in California in a short time lured the young man onward. 
He accordingly left Missouri with an ox-team train and started out for the 
west across "the plains. The train consisted of seven wagons and several 
head of stock, and Samuel Whitlock and several brothers were with the 
train. The party came through Salt Lake City and the Humboldt Sink and 
on to Hangtown. From this latter place Mr. Bradshaw came on to Napa, 
Cal.. and located on what is now known as Chicken ranch, formerly called 
Winthrop place. 

In Missouri Mr. Bradshaw married Mary E. Whitlock. and twelve chil- 
dren blessed the union: Richard, Robert (deceased), William, Thomas J., 
John. Margaret (deceased). Louise. Sarah. Mary A.. Harriett. Ida (deceased), 
and Susan. Margaret married Walter Logan and at her death left one 
child : Sarah married S. F. Black and they reside, in Napa, six children having 
been born to them : William married Isabella See, and they have three chil- 
dren : Harriett married William Moss and they have three children; Mary 
Alice married William Lyons and they have one son; John is married but 
has no children. John G. Bradshaw passed away in 1885. having lived a 
life that will bear inspection and one that was most unselfish. 

Thomas J. Bradshaw now carries on the work of the old home ranch, >^ 
which he owns one hundred and seventy-eight acres. Fifty-five acres of 
this is in grain and aside from a small vineyard the balance is in pasture. 
There are about three hundred chickens and twenty head of stock for breed- 
ing purposes on the place. Politically Mr. Bradshaw is a Republican and 
he has been roadmaster for some time and also school trustee. His marriage 
united him with Sarah F. Fuller and three children were born to them, 
George A.. Bessie (deceased") and Thomas Wendell. 



OLOF OLSON. 

The life story of this successful self-made man will be of interest to 
all who may chance to read it. Born in Skane. Sweden, he put an ocean 
and a continent between the place of his nativity and the locajity where In- 
elected to carry out his life work. He was born December 21. 1872. and passed 
his youth and early manhood in his native country, gaining there an educa- 
tion' on which he could depend in his quest of a livelihood. In his younger 



980 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



days he did farm work and was employed in - flour mills. Later, he decided 
that he could better fit himself for a successful career by learning a trade. 
His choice was that of a cement worker, at which he labored with such suc- 
cess that after three years he was enabled to heed the call to America, and 
responding to it, he came to the United' States in 1902. 

Mr. Olson came directly to San Francisco, where he lived for eight 
months, working at his trade, and then, still laboring as a cement worker, 
he went to Woodland, where he remained for about a year and a half. There 
he began contracting. In 1904 he located in Dixon, Solano county, and has 
put in all the cement work done in Dixon since his arrival. In this way he 
has had opportunity to do much to beautify the city, and his work has 
always been a credit to it and to himself. He has laid miles of cement side- 
walks, built the new postofnce building and done the cement work on Henry 
Timms' dairy near town, the most sanitary dairy in the state. His work is 
of such a character that his reputation is not confined to his home town. 
He built a fine bank building in Davis, and laid cement walks there and in 
Suisun and Winters and other towns. In order to fill the demands made 
upon him he keeps three or four men constantly employed. He has built 
many silos not only in Solano county but in Yolo and Kings counties and 
has established quite a reputation in that line. 

Fraternally Mr. Olson is connected with Montezuma Lodge No. 172, 
I. O. O. F. of Dixon. In 1911 he made a trip to Europe, visiting not only 
home and parents in Sweden, but also portions of Norway and Denmark. 
In religion he is a Lutheran and his political views are Republican. 



THOMAS MOORE. 

The first eighteen years of Mr. Moore's life were passed in the north 
of Ireland, where he was born March 3, 1853. Being an ambitious youth 
and feeling that there were larger opportunities for advancement in America, 
he decided at the age mentioned to come to America, and forthwith he em- 
barked for San Francisco, Cal. On arriving at the latter place in 1873 after 
a tedious overland journey, he worked about three months in the rope 
works and then went to Virginia City, Nev., to work in the mines, where 
he secured a position with the California Gold and Silver Mining Company 
and remained for three years. Hearing much about the favorable social 
conditions and wonderful resources of New Zealand, he decided to take a 
trip to the antipodes and visit that place for himself, but his expectations 
were not fulfilled, and he returned on the first boat to San Francisco. On 
his return Mr. Moore commenced a long term of service with the Pacific 
Rolling Mills Company, working with them for twenty-one years, operat- 
ing a furnace, but on account of failing health he had to resign his position. 

Mr. Moore moved to Napa in 1896 and for six years resided in the 
valley. In 1902 he bought seven hundred and sixty acres of land in Wooden 
valley, thirteen miles from Napa. When he acquired the land it was in 
rough condition and covered with stumps, and at the present time he is 
the owner of one of the most productive farms in the locality. His vine- 
yard of fourteen acres yielded eighty tons of grapes last season. He also 
raises sheep, having two hundred and fifty, and in addition raises a few 
horses for farm use. 

In Reno, Nev., in 1876, Mr. Moore was married to Mary N. Handlaw, 
a native of England. Six children were born to the union : John W., 
Edward. Elizabeth, Mandy, Edith and Flora. Elizabeth married Lincoln 
McDonald, who is in the lumber business in San Francisco; and John and 
Edward are at home with the parents. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members 
of the Presbyterian Church and politically the former is a Republican. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \.\i> NAPA COUNTIES 981 

JOHN PERRY W 1 1 1 IE. 

The birth of John P. White occurred in Clinton county, 1ml.. August 11. 
1846. When he was a child of six years the father, Daniel B. White, started 
to cross the plains with his family, ox-teams furnishing the motive power. 
After reaching Iowa they stopped in Linn county, thai stale, for a year and 
then resumed the journey to Oregon, which was their destination, \lthough 
so young at the time John P. White well remembers the long trip and the 
hardships the travelers had to endure. Arriving in Oregon in 1853, the father 
took a half section donation land claim from the government in Lane county 
and there for many years he engaged in farming. The farm lies near Cottage 
Grove, and is now carried on by a son, Nathaniel W. White. 

John P. White worked with his father in Oregon on the farm until he 
was twenty-one years of age, when he started out for himself. For a time 
he lived in northern California and then removed to Nevada, working for six 
years in the silver mines in White Pine county. Tiring of this occupation 
and desiring to get hack to ranching, he returned to Oregon and again engaged 
in farming For some time. In Cottage Grove, Ore., he was married February 
9, 1879 to .Miss Susie A. Turpen, a native daughter of California, horn in 
Montezuma, and the daughter n\ Jonathan and Emily | Wterbury) Turpen. 
natives oi Kentucky. Mr. Turpen crossed the plains to California with ox- 
teams in 1857 and in 1864 removed to Oregon, where his daughter, Mrs. White. 
was reared and educated. In 1882 Mr. White removed to Goose Lake valley, 
Ore., where he engaged in stock and sheen raising and general farming for 
nine years. In October. 1891. he came to Nana county, CaL, and for a time 
rented a ranch at Calistoga and later he rented the ranch he now owns one 
and a half miles from Calistoga and consisting of twenty-seven acres. Since 
he has been the owner of the ranch he has greatly imoroved it and its value 
has been enhanced as a consequence. He has fifteen acres in vines and ten 
acres in French prunes, which he himself set out. 

Another industry i)i the ranch worthy of mention is the chicken industry, 
which is under the immediate supervision of Mrs. White, and indeed it was 
through her suggestion that the poultry business was entered into. From the 
five hundred laying hens of the White Leghorn variety a good yearly income 
is realized. It is the consensus of opinion that the White poultry farm is the 
neatest in arrangement and the most carefully kept in the county, as well as 
having the highest grade of stock, all of which is also true of the horses and 
cows. Mr. and Mrs. White enjoy the confidence of all who know them. Their 
lives have been marked by integrity in all transactions and they have been 
cheerful contributors to the advancement of all worthy causes. 



A.VDREW PETER. 

A life-time resident of Solano county. Andrew Peter is a direct descend- 
ant of a long line of honorable Teutonic ancestors, who have been noted for 
their perseverance in the face of difficulties. Hermann Peter, father of An- 
drew. wa< born in Germany in 1827. and came to Solano county at the age of 
nineteen years, by way of Cape Horn. He married Miss Anna Regan, a 
native of Ireland, and three children were born of their union: Paul. An- 
drew and Mamie. The mother is still living in Dixon. Paul married Jessie 
Kennedy and they reside at Berkeley. Cal., and have three children, Frank. 
Lester and Stanly. 

Andrew Peter was born in Solano county in the year 1872. Early in 
life he devoted his attention to farming and performed all the work involved 
in maintaining a ranch in those days, when agricultural implements were 
less perfect than at present. Mr. Peter owns one hundred and sixty acres 



982 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

of land at Binghampton, six miles south of Dixon. With Iven P. Fitzpatrick 
he leases 560 acres and also runs one hundred and sixty acres of his mother's 
ranch, where they are raising grain on a large scale, harvesting it with a 
combined harvester. 

In 1885 Mr. Peter married Miss Henrietta Luttges, a native of California 
and a daughter of Gustavus Luttges. The latter was born in Germany in 
1831 and came to California at the age of twenty- four years. She has borne 
him one son, Lloyd F. Mrs. Peter is one of a family of three children, the 
others being Adolph and Agnes Luttges. Mr. Peter is a member of the 
Woodmen of the World, and politically he is a Democrat. Having lived 
in this county all of his life, he has grown to love his native place and is a 
ready supporter of all measures that have for their aim the advancement of 
the section of the state of California in which he lives. 



FREDERICK ROOS. 

Much has been said and more has been written relative to the attitude 
of Germany toward the United States along lines of commerce and national 
supremacy, but whatever this attitude is we must give Germany the credit 
of having supplied us with some of the very best of our citizens, with their 
life blood running red and warm with the fervor of the patriot. True it is 
that some immigrants from Germany do not achieve much in the spheres 
of business activities, but the quiet and stolid characteristics of the Teutons 
make them a very desirable class of immigrants, for their ceaseless toil and 
dominant energy often lead them to success when their more brilliant 
"cousins" fail. In Frederick Roos we have a man of this type, whose in- 
dustry and general good qualities are known to those with whom he has to do. 

Frederick Roos was born in Baden, Germany, October 24, 1841, and at 
the age of twenty-one left the Fatherland and came to New York City. Leav- 
ing New York he came to California and made his way to San Francisco on 
the ship Vanderbilt. He came to Yolo county in 1863 and has since resided 
here, following ranching with fair success. The first year he was in Yolo 
county he rented eleven hundred acres of land from Mr. Littner, but his 
crop was a failure, for he reaped only fifty tons of hay from the whole acreage. 
Since that time he has done much better. He has never purchased land for 
ranching purposes, but in 1874 he bought six lots in Davisville, where he 
resides, following the occupation of a transfer man, and doing general teaming. 

Mr. Roos married Adelia Denzler, a native of California, at Sacramento. 
To them eight children were born: Frederick; Charles; Louis; John; Amelia 
A., who married Thomas Hink and lives at Davisville; Marie, who married 
Fred Michael, of Davisville ; Louise ; and Barbara. Fraternally Mr. Roos is 
a member of the Davisville Lodge. I. O. O. F., and politically he is a Re- 
publican. 



LUTHER MARK TURTON. 

The useful career of L. M. Turton may be studied with interest and 
profit by the young men of this generation, if they are ambitious of success. 
His is an active life, a career of endeavor partaking of those practical and 
substantial features which, in all the world's history have commanded the 
respect and incited the emulation of all intelligent men. Luther M. Turton, 
the well known architect of Napa, was born near North Bend, Dodge county, 
Neb., May 22, 1862, and spent the first few years of his life there. 

When Mark was fourteen years old, in 1876, the Turton family moved 
to California and settled in Napa county, in the city of Napa. Here the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 983 

young man attended the public school, and after completing its curriculum 
he took a course in Napa College. Going to San Francisco he entered the 
offices of B. MeDougall & Sons, and for two years studied there with much 
assiduity the work of architecture and drafting. Feeling that he was quali 
fied to work for himself in this particular business, he opened an office in 
Napa in 1887 and lias prospered there professionally ever since. During 
his business career in Xapa he has drawn plans for the foil,. wing buildings: 
Migliavacca building, the Behlovt building. Goodman Library, Central School 
building. Lincoln school building. Washington Primary school building. Cecil 
Hotel block. Cope building, among the largest and finest buildings in the 
city, the latter being a reinforced concrete fireproof structure, and the resi- 
dences of Dr. Kahn. George H. Frances. R. Raymond and L. II. Winship 
and many other dwellings in Xapa. He has also refitted the interior of the 
three bank buildings in that town. Some of the work he has done outside 
Xapa includes a bank in Gridley. Butte county; a bank and Masonic Temple 
in Yuba City. Sutter county; Woodland Sanitarium at Woodland, Yolo 
county: a bank in Yacaville. Solano county; the refitted First National Bank 
of Vallejo, and many residences there. Thus this enterprising man of splen- 
did talent has been responsible for many of the ornate buildings in this and 
other counties. His work has given great satisfaction to those who have 
employed his services and he is perhaps foremost among the architects in 
this part of the state. 

February 22, 1893. Mr. Turton married, at Santa Rosa, Miss Lillie A. 
Bell, born in Guelph, Ontario, Can., and they have a daughter named Lois 
Belle. He is a member of the K. O. T. M.. and he and Mrs. Turton are 
active members, he being treasurer, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His 
worth and integrity are recognized by all who know him, and no movement 
promising the advancement of his town, county or state fails of his earnest 
and liberal support. 



FRANKLIN TEMPLE GRIGSBY. 

There are few men alive today who can say that they came to California 
in 1847. for the list of those who first came to our state is rapidly diminish- 
ing. Franklin T. Grigsby came to California when the state was new, and 
after many experiences he was called to lay aside the activity of life and 
enter upon a season of rest. 

Born in Tennessee in 1829. F. T. Grigsby remained there only a few 
years, for the family moved to Missouri and settled in Pope county for a 
time. The routine of the home was broken into when Franklin decided 
to leave the place where he had so long sojourned with his parents and 
go ''out west" to the new country that was then opening up. Accordingly 
he set out with a company in the year 1845, and with stock and ox teams 
commenced the long and dangerous trail to California. In the company 
was his brother, Capt. John Grigsby. The train of ox-teams and men came 
direct to Napa valley, where Mr. Grigsby settled for a time. In the year 
1847 he returned across the plains and later on acted as escort to General 
Fremont, who was then a prisoner. Franklin T. Grigsby was a Bear Flag 
veteran of Sonoma county, and had fought for one and one-half years in 
the Mexican war. At the close of the war he returned to Pope county. Mo.. 
engaging in farming for some time, and in 1851 he again crossed the plains 
to California. The train with which he traveled was a large one, but not 
so large that it frightened the Indians, for they attacked it several times, 
driving the cattle off, although these were retaken. In one of these skir- 
mishes they almost captured Mr. Grigsby's step-daughter. Mary, the only 
thing that saved her life being one of her shoes, which came off at a critical 



984 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

moment, allowing her to free herself. At last, after many exciting adven- 
tures, Mr. Grigsby arrived with his cattle in Napa county and here he 
lived for several years, making Napa his home. In 1881 the family moved 
to Wooden valley, Napa county. 

Mr. Grigsby married Mrs. Martha (Alexandre) Bray, and to their union 
twelve children were born, as follows. William, George. Jasper, Frank, 
John, Martha, Dauthula, Clara, and four deceased. William married Kittie 
Sandercocks, they have two sons, Walter and Wesly; Martha married James 
Lyons and from that union there were born the following : Edward, Susie, 
Nellie, Mollie, Martha and Clara, and one daughter deceased ; Dauthula 
married B. Bailey and seven children were born to them, Frank, Robert, 
Raymond, Mabel, Eunice, Kittie, Susie ; Clara married Will Stice and they 
moved to Texas ; Frank married Ruth McComb and they make their home 
in Wooden valley with their daughter. Annette ; John married Helen Mc- 
Comb and they have two children, Martha and Wanda. Franklin T. Grigsby 
died in 1894 and his son, J. B. Grigsby, carries on the farm. 

John B. Grigsby was born in Yountville, Napa county, September 27, 
1869, and was reared and educated in Napa county. After completing the 
grammar school course he took up farming and has followed it ever since. 
He has one thousand acres of good land in Wooden valley, ten miles from 
Napa, for which he paid $8,000. A tract of two hundred acres is tillable 
for hay and grain and the remainder of the land is used for pasturage of 
fifty head of cattle and sixteen head of horses. 

Mr. Grigsby was married in Napa December 18. 1901, to Miss Helen 
Mecombs, who was born in Napa, the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth 
(Finn) Mecombs, the former born in Wayne county, Ohio, and the latter 
in Boston, Mass. Isaac Mecombs came to California across the plains in 
1848 and was a farmer in Napa until he died. Mrs. Mecombs came to Cali- 
fornia in 1872 and died in 1874 and Mrs. Grigsby is the only child of this 
union. Mr. and Mrs. Grigsby have two children, Helen M. and Wanda H. 
Politically Mr. Grigsby is a Democrat, but believes in voting for the best 
man. He is a man that delights in hunting and this is his chief pleasure. 
The coming years should greatly improve the value of his land, for he is 
working with assiduity and has many friends. 



BALTAHESAR DARMS. 

Born in Switzerland in 1823, Mr. Darms there followed the trade of 
carpenter until coming to America in 1850, after which he did not give 
attention to his trade except as it aided him in the erection of necessary 
buildings on his farm. The first location which he selected was in Wis- 
consin, where he worked as a farm laborer until he had saved an amount 
sufficient to enable him to start out as an independent farmer. With the 
means which he had accumulated he came to California in 1883, settlement 
being made in Napa valley, where he bought a ranch of sixty-four acres 
five miles north of Napa on the St. Helena road. In the early days the 
land had been devoted to grain raising, but later a large acreage had been 
converted into a vineyard and a specialty was made of the grape industry. 
When the vineyard ceased to be profitable the vines were removed and 
fruit trees were planted. The principal varieties to be found on the farm 
at this writing are prunes, peaches, pears and cherries, and many of these 
trees were planted by Mr. Darms. His death occurred at Oak Knoll in 
1895, at the age of seventy-two years. In his demise the county lost one 
of its leading horticulturists. While living in Wisconsin he had married 
Miss Elizabeth Truep, a native of Switzerland. Surviving him are three 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 985 

sons ami four daughters: John; Henry; Herman; Mrs. Rosa Haas, win. 

remains at Oak Knoll: Mrs. Sula Linder, of Xapa county; Mrs. \nnic 
Frash, of Napa; and Mrs. Emma Schmidt, of Oakville. 



WILLIAM E. DOWNING, M. D. 

An important factor in maintaining the health and caring for the ill- of 
human kind in Yallejo is Dr. \Y. E. Downing, a physician and 9urgeon gifted 
with special aptitude for his calling. A native son of Suisun, Solano county. 
he was horn in 1880. After completing his studies in the public Schools, lie 
took a two-year course at Stanford University, then completed the course of 
four years at the Cooper Medical College of San Francisco, from which he was 
graduated in 1903 with the degree oi M. D. 

Upon receiving his professional degree Dr. Downing became lions.- sur 
geon at the German hospital, San Francisco, and later was resident physician 
at the Waldeck Hospital in the same city. He then associated himself in a 
general practice of medicine in Suisun with his father. Dr. William (i. Down 
ing, a practitioner oi forty years in the county, and in July. 1908, came to 
Yallejo and established a private hospital on Marin street, mar Georgia. In 
this hospital, built for the purpose, Dr. Downing has held to a high ideal in 
medical institutions, and his equipment bespeaks appreciation of the most 
scientific and sanitary methods known to the profession. An advantage rather 
than otherwise is the comparative smallness of the institution, as patients thus 
receive more individual and better care than in larger and more CTOwded 
hospitals. From two to four trained nurses carry on the work of caring for 
the sick and assisting in the operating room, and' every appliance and condi- 
tion which can add to the comfort of afflicted ones is anticipated and supplied. 
In connection with the hospital he has a large general practice. 

In 1 ( >03 Dr. Downing was married to Florence Baugh, a native of Phila- 
delphia. He is well known in fraternal circles, having been made a Mason in 
Suisun Lodge No. 71. F. & A. M.; and is a member of Yallejo Lodge, B. I'. 
O. E. In the line of his profession he is a member of the Solano County .Medi- 
cal Society, of which he is vice-president, and also a member of the State and 
American Medical Associations. He is a member of the Beta Thcta Pi fra- 
ternity at Stanford, and the Xu Sigma fraternity at Cooper Medical College. 



PAUL MORSBERGER. 

Although they have but recently established themselves in Xapa county. 
Paul Morsberger and family have decided, after seeing much of the coun- 
try both east and west, that there is no better place to make their home. 
Mr. Morsberger was born in Maryland in October, 1859. and lived with 
his parents until he was twelve years of age. His school days being over 
at that age he tried farming for three years and then entered' the butcher's 
business. Subsecpiently he changed his vocation to that of carpenter, and 
proved himself so efficient that he took up contracting and building, and as 
a result, many fine buildings in Xapa and elsewhere are silent testimonials 
to his able workmanship. Among these are a 812,000 building on the corner 
of Greenwich and Taylor streets, San Francisco; a stone flat-building for 
Hilbert and Taylor; a 85000 job in Fruitvale; and a $2000 job on Pedemont 
avenue, and many remodeling contracts. 

Mr. Morsberger was united in marriage in Baltimore, Md.. to Catherine 
Peregoy of the same state, and to them were born ten children: Harrv. 
Grover L.. James T.. Jennie. Emma L.. Maud. Bertha M.. Edith. Olive and 
Bessie M. Grover L. married Gladys Wilson, and Bertha is the wife of 



986 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Leland Wilson, now residing in Vallejo, neither of whom has had any 
children ; Jennie is the wife of James Taylor, a foreman on tunnel work, 
having had charge of a tunnel in Washington, D. C, two miles in length; 
their home is in Baltimore, Md. ; and Emma is the wife of E. G. Land, now 
living in Vallejo, they being the parents of two children, Seymour and 
Aubry. 

Mr. Morsberger came to California in 1907, living first in Oakland for 
a year, after which he bought twenty acres of land in Shasta county and 
lived there for a short time. Returning to Oakland for a while before in- 
vesting in Napa county, he now has twenty-five acres of land in Coombsville, 
and he and his sons are engaged extensively in the poultry and egg business. 
The family are members of the Adventist Church, in which they are active 
workers, and politically Mr. Morsberger adheres to the principles of Dem- 
ocracy. 



JOHN A. KLAM. 

Born in Germany in 1827, John A. Klam spent his youth in his native 
land and received his education in the splendid public schools of that coun- 
try, and also learned a trade, his choice being the shoemaker's trade. When 
he came to America, at the age of twenty-two he engaged in the butcher 
business in Rochester, N. Y., for six years. 

Coming to California in 1855, via the Isthmus of Panama, Mr. Klam 
was for a time engaged in mining in Sierra county, and also followed butch- 
ering during the seventeen years he resided in that county. In 1872 he 
came to Napa county, settling in the Napa valley, five miles north of town. 
Here he bought forty-six acres of raw land which he improved and culti- 
vated until now he has a highly productive ranch yielding a remunerative 
crop each year. He has planted a vineyard and fruit trees, raising apples, 
pears, peaches and nuts, this giving him a large variety and different sea- 
sons for the handling of the crops. 

Mr. Klam was married in 1857 to Miss Eliza Mann, who died two years 
later, leaving a daughter, Katherine, now the wife of Howard Grigsby, of 
Napa. His second marriage occurred in 1867 and united him with Mrs. 
Katherine (Piper) Crow, a native of Washington county, Pa. Of the four 
children born of this union, two are living: Elizabeth, Mrs. Percy King, 
of Napa, and Alice, Mrs. Evans, who resides near the old home. 

Fraternally Mr. Klam has for fifty years been an Odd Fellow in good 
standing. Now, at the age of eighty-four, he is enjoying a life of retirement 
and comfort on his ranch. 



MICHAEL OPICI. 

For more than thirty-five yeas Michael Opici has been a resident of 
Napa county and during this time he has made a success of all his under- 
takings. Today he has considerable property of an improved type, that 
yields a good annual income. 

Mr. Opici is a descendant of an honorable Italian family. His father, 
John Opici, was born in Italy in 1811. He married Theresa Peoli, who 
died in 1877. To this union there were born fourteen children, Michael 
Opici of this review being the fifth oldest, his birth occurring November 1, 
1844. For thirty years he remained in his native land, then feeling assured 
that he would better himself by leaving the home of his parents, he came 
to California, June 25, 1875, and immediately located in Napa county. For 
a time he worked for wages and managed to save sufficient money to permit 
the purchase of land about twenty-three years ago, when he bought eighty 






HISTORY OF soi \\i ) AND NAPA C< >UN NES 

acres aboul nine miles from Napa. In 1896 he made another purchase, 
acquiring one hundred and sixty acres of land suitable Eor the culture of 
les. In all he has twenty-five acres in grapes, and lasl season he had 
twelve tons of black Burgundy grapes, lie is a man thai devotes all his 
time to the improvement of his property and has every prospect of continued 
success. 



rilll. LIP DUFFY. 

A prominent and progressive citizen of Napa county, Phillip Duffy, has 

demonstrated what can he done by hard work and good management for he 
has accumulated a competency in this western commonwealth and now can 
live in the enjoyment of a well-earned retirement, lie was born in County 
Monaghan, Ireland, in 1833 and spent his boyhood days in his native land, 
also receiving his early education there. In 1850 he decided to come to the 
United States, having become dissatisfied with conditions in his home country 
and thinking to better his lot in America, where larger opportunities awaited 
those ^i his energetic nature. He embarked on the sailing vessel Enterprise, 
and after a stormy voyage which took nine weeks and three days, landed in 
New York. The last week of the journey the water on board was nearly 
exhausted and all were placed on short rations to conserve the supply. It was 
with a thankful heart that land was sighted and at once upon landing, young 
Duffy, with the characteristic energy and thrift of his race, found employment 
and by dint of persistent application gradually worked his way from the bot- 
tom round of the ladder to his present position of affluence and influence. 

Mr. Duffy's first settlement after landing in this country was in Herkimer 
county. X. Y.. where he found employment on a dairy farm and for the follow- 
ing seven years was steadily engaged. Having saved his money during these 
years he had enough to begin his journey further west and we next find him 
in Clark county. Mo., and the following seven years were spent in that and in 
Lewis counties engaged in general farming. This was during the progress of 
the Civil war and conditions were very unfavorable for progress at that time. 
In 1865 he again took up his westward journey with mule teams and crossed 
the plains to Sacramento. Cal., remaining there until the following spring. 
settling then in Lander county. Xev., where he engaged in raising horses, 
cattle and sheep. His cattle, which were secured in Salt Lake, Utah, were 
taken to his ranch in Xevada, known as the Iowa Canon ranch, which extended 
for eight miles up and down the canon. He shipped many beef cattle to San 
Francisco markets. Besides his stock he raised large quantities of hay. This 
continued to be his home for many years and he became very well and favor- 
ably known and took an active and intelligent part in the development of the 
interests of the state. 

In 1901 Mr. Duffy sold his holdings and came to California to make a 
permanent home, where he would be relieved from much care and worry and 
where he could spend his remaining years in peace and plenty and in an enjoy 
able climate. On coming to N'apa valley he bought the John W. Grigsby 
ranch on the Big Ranch road and named it the Nevada ranch in memory of 
his successful years spent in that state. This ranch has three hundred and 
eighty-six acres, all good land, suitable for any purpose to which it might he 
put. After a time he added forty acres and this fine property is developed 
into a dairy ranch on which he maintains sixty cows. He has an up-to-date 
creamery, where he makes from one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds 
of butter daily; this is known as the famous Duffy's creamery butter, which 
commands the highest prices in the Xapa markets. There are three sets of 
buildings on the place, suitable for the needs of the business: the water for 
irrigating the sixty acres of alfalfa is pumped from the river by a gasoline 



988 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



engine, and the dairy house is equipped with steam which furnishes power for 
the improved machinery and also for pumping water for domestic purposes. 
The place is dotted with trees and shrubs, one row of English walnut trees 
contains the largest ones in the valley. Two native black walnut trees 
measure eleven and one-half feet in circumference and two others twelve and 
one-half feet, showing the fertility of the soil in that part of the valley. 
Besides his dairy Mr. Duffy raises a large number of hogs with great profit. 
Over all of this large and growing business he gives his personal attention, 
although his two sons manage the work under their father's direction. 

In 1873 Mr. Duffy was united in marriage with Miss Katherine Maxwell, 
a native of Ireland. Of this union five children were born, viz : Phillip, Jr., 
and Owen M., who carry on the ranch and dairy; Dennis M., an attorney in 
San Francisco; Ellen and Agnes. Mr. Duffy, his wife and family enjoy the 
esteem and confidence of the community where they have settled and where 
they have taken an interest in the general welfare of the people and locality. 
The success he now enjoys has been of his own making and his example is 
worthy of emulation by others who intend to make a success in their lines of 
endeavor. 



MANUEL S. MESQUITA. 

Born on the Island of St. George, Azores, in 1853, Manuel S. Mesquita 
is the son of parents who trace their ancestry back for many years in the 
history of Portugal. At the age of fourteen he came to the United States 
and located in Boston, Mass., and from there subsequently came to Cali- 
fornia, locating at Sausalito, Marin county. Two years later he came to 
Solano county. In spite of the fact that he had had no advantages of schools 
or college, Mr. Mesquita's first venture was in a business of his own and 
the undertaking proved a success. 

In 1893, in San Francisco, Mr. Mesquita was married to Miss Mary 
Candidi Borges, she also being a native of Portugal. Five children were 
born to them : Mary, who was educated in Mt. St. Gertrude Academy 
and now the wife of John August, of Suisun ; Amelia M., who was also 
educated in that institution and is now the wife of Toney Gonsalves and 
residing in Fresno; Manuel, who died May 7, 1911; Frank, of Fresno; and 
Josephine, who is attending Mt. St. Gertrude Academy. All of the children 
were born in California. 

Mr. Mesquita first bought property in Rio Vista in 1889, and today 
he owns several pieces of land and two residences here. He is a man 
who has made all he has by his own untiring efforts and industry, and his 
example is worthy of emulation. 



LOUIS LIMO. 

Born on St. Michael, the largest of the Azores, off Portugal, April 10, 
1866, Louis Limo, filled with the ambition and courage of youth, left his 
native land at the early age of fifteen and took passage for San Francisco. 
Having learned the mason's trade and being exceedingly proficient in his 
craft, it was not long before he was launched in his chosen calling and 
happily settled in Oakland. There he was united in marriage to Susie 
Miller, a native daughter of California, and they became the parents of 
six children, Manuel, Louis, Frank, George, Benjamin and Antone, all living 
and the three oldest attending school. 

Although a young man and still following his trade of mason and 
building contractor, with a minimum remuneration of $5 per day, Mr. Limo 



HISTORY OF SOI \\<> AND NAPA COUNTIES 989 

spends much thought ami time upon the improvement of his ranch, where 
he expects to spend his latter May- The eighty acres in his possession la- 
in the beautiful Wildhorse valley, sixteen acres being devoted to vineyard, 
where were produced thirty tons of fine grapes in 1**11 and the resl in 
grain, pasture and timber. 

Mr. Limo is not partisan in his principles politically, voting For the 
man who. in his judgment, would be besl suited for the "thee. As a member 
of the Catholic Church and C. P. C. and I". P. C. lodges of Napa, his public 
spirit is apparent and his benevolence well known. 



SAMUEL E. HOLDER 

A native of Concord, X. H., born February 3, 1845, Samuel E. Ilolden 
received his education in the select schools of his home city and spent mOSl 
n\ his vacations working in a factory, by which he gained familiarity with 
factory life and an acquaintance with the wool industry. He prepared for 
college at the New Hampshire Conference Seminary at Tilton, which he 
was attending at the breaking out of the Civil war. In September, 1862. 
hearing the call of his country, he laid aside his bonks and put off his 
school garb for the soldier's ride and the "army blue." tramping, sleeping 
fighting, under the Stars and Stripes, an enlisted soldier in the Sixteenth 
New Hampshire Volunteers, in which he served one year under Gen. N. P. 
Hanks during his Louisiana campaign. After "muster out" he resumed 
his preparatory course and in 1865 enured Wesleyan University, Middle- 
town, Conn., from which he graduated in 1869. Returning to Concord he 
took up the study of law in the office of Minott & Mugridge, where he re- 
mained three years, in 1872 being admitted to oractice in Grafton county. 
X. H. He formed a partnership at Bristol. X. H., with lion. S. K. Mason, 
under the name of Mason 6c TToklen, continuing this association until he 
came to California in 1875. at that time locating in Xapa. While a resident 
of Bristol he was treasurer of the Bristol Savings Bank and helped make 
it a success. 

Mr. Holden came to Xapa and became bookkeeper for B. F. Sawyer 
& Co.. and was also interested with them in buying fleece wool. On the 
reorganization of the company. April 1. 1880. he became a member of same 
and devoted himself entirely to the development of the business. He served 
as president of the Sawyer Tanning Company and of the Napa Woolen 
Mill, was a director of the Bank of Nana and chairman of its finance com- 
mittee. He was largely interested in and helped organize the Xorton Tanning 
Company of South San Francisco, and was a director in the Concord Manu- 
facturing Company of Concord. X. TI. He was president of the board >>\ 
directors of Xapa College and did much for the welfare of that institution. 
Vs a trustee of the University of the Pacific, now College of the Pacific at 
San Jose, he was not wanting in interest in its success. He was als 
nrominent and useful member of the Pay Association of the California Con 
ference. and was one of the incorporators of the Relief Association organized 
in the interest of the Conference Claimants. Tie also served in the broader 
Christian interest as a director of the state Y. M. C. A. It was. however, 
in the local church at Xapa where his faithful services were probably of 
the greatest worth. For twenty-four years he was a member of the official 
board, serving as trustee, steward and district steward. Por many years 
he was teacher of the young men's class in the Sunday school. Twice he 
was elected a member of the city council of Nana and no more faithful. 
canable. upright servant ever sat on its board. lli> fellow townsmen speak 
of him with great respect and tell of his interest in all that was for the city's 



990 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



welfare. In business circles he always had the welfare of his employes and 
their families at heart and during the stress of hard times, some years ago, 
stood financially under business concerns that were run at a continuous 
loss. He was a Mason of the Knights Templar degree and also an active 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

In 1869, the year of his graduation, Mr. Holden was married to Miss 
Mary E. Taylor of Sanbornton, N. H. She accompanied him to California 
in 1875 and passed away in Napa on May 4 of that year. In 1879 Mr. 
Holden was married to Miss Anna Smyth of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Robert 
S. Holden, who graduated from Wesleyan University in 1902, is employed 
in the Bank of Napa ; Harold E., who graduated from the University of 
California in 1906, is connected with the Norton Tanning Company of South 
San Francisco; and Philip S. is also in San Francisco. One daughter, 
Gracie, died in early childhood. Mrs. Holden is a graduate of Cornell Col- 
lege, Mount Vernon, Iowa, and came to California in December of 1876 
as preceptress in Napa College. She and his three sons survive him. Mr. 
Holden was a Christian man who held to the principles of his faith with a 
quiet, firm persistency. He ever evidenced a genuine faith, a consistent 
life and a piety in the home, the church, and the world. He died December 
31, 1900, at Altruria, Sonoma county. 



ANTONIO FRANCISCO FURTADO. 

Born on the island of Flores, one of the Azores, in February, 1854, 
Antonio F. Furtado is a splendid example of the man who, unaided and 
alone, can make a competency for himself. When seventeen years of age 
he left his homeland and came to the Pacific coast, in 1871 locating in Half 
Moon bay, San Mateo county, Cal., where he accepted the first employment 
that came to hand. Altogether he remained in that locality for about two 
years, and in 1873 went to Petaluma and followed dairying for a short time. 
Subsequently coming to Solano county he worked as a ranch hand until 
1881, when he located on a ranch which he rented and in 1884 he bought 
the nucleus of his present ranch at Twin Sisters Mountain. To his first 
purchase of eighty acres he has since added until he now has one hundred 
and sixty-five acres in his home place, of which sixty acres are under culti- 
vation. Besides fruits and berries for his own use, he has eleven acres in 
vineyard, which in 1911 produced twenty-two tons of an excellent quality 
of grapes. Some of the land is in grain, and the remainder is in pasture. 

Mr. Furtado was united in marriage with Mary Vieira, also a native of 
the Azores, and to this marriage five children were born. He is a member 
of the U. P. E. C, a Republican in politics, and has been a school trustee 
in District No. 12 for three years. In his religious faith he is a Catholic. 



JAMES CAIN. 

Born in Ireland in the year 1839, at the age of eight years James Cain 
came to the United States with his mother and settled in Illinois, there 
taking up his studies in the public schools. After his graduation he began 
working as a farm hand. A desire to see the west brought him to California 
in 1864, at which time he settled in Rio Vista, Solano county, and for more 
than forty years past he has been actively identified with the growth and 
development of this section. 

James Cain was married in 1885 to Miss Margaret Foy, also a native 
of Ireland, who had located in Chicago, 111., when young. Mr. Cain owns a 
ranch of three hundred and twenty acres of good land, he having added 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES ""1 

one hundred and sixty acres to a like acreage which he homesteaded in 
the early days. This property is given over to the raising of sheep, which 
is a profitable undertaking, lie owns a beautiful home in Rio Vista, which 
is a source of great comfort to him in his advancing years. Politically he 
is a Democrat. 



DANIEL SMITH YATES. 
Ever since settling in California Mr. Yates has made his home "ii a 

farm in Napa county, where, through diligent application, he acquired twenty- 
two acres of land, eighteen being used for the raising of -rapes, where in 
1911 eighty-seven tons of a fine quality were produced. The other four acres 
in his possession are used as pasturage for his stock and swine, which he 
keeps for his own needs. He has added to the original purchase the 1'. < i. 
Hottle ranch and now owns ninety acres about three miles east of Rutherford. 
The early home of Mr. Yates is far removed from the home of his later 
years. He was horn in Clinton county. Mo., July 5, 1852, but in his early 
manhood, inspired with the thought o\ some day becoming a ranch owner 
in the far west, he set out to cross the plains to the land of his dreams and 
today his dreams have been realized. In 1875 he came to California, where 
he followed the occupation of ranchman for nine years before purchasing 
a home oi his own in 1889. He married Miss Louisa Turner, a native of 
Clinton county. Mo., and from this union were born three children: Ida 1'... 
wife of James Morris, of St. Helena; Mathew A., who married Miss Adams 
i they having a daughter. Josephine), and Rachel, the youngest daughter, 
who is at home with her parents attending the public school at Libert v. 
Politically Mr. Yates is a Democrat and that he is a public-Spirited man is 
attested by the fact that he was school trustee for many years. 



DAVID DOAK. 

Scotch-Irish ancestry is one of which men are prone to boast, as it is 
supposed to combine the wit of the Irishman with the stability of the Scotch- 
man and all the sterling qualities of both. It was this ancestry upon which, 
David Doak prided himself and its characteristics were those by which he 
was best known. He was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1830. As his 
educational advantages were meager, his natural intelligence and native pluck- 
were his chief stock in trade and to these qualities are due the success of 
his life and the peace of his latter days. Desirous of bettering his position 
in life, he came to America in young manhood and located in Albany, N. Y., 
remaining there until 1856, when he set sail for New York, from there by 
way of the Isthmus of Panama coming to San Francisco, Cal. For a time 
he was interested in mining, and later located at Marysville, where he 
started a broom factory. The product was freighted into the mountains as 
far as Nevada. Subsequently Mr. Doak came to Hastings Island, Napa 
county, and engaged in farming until he made a trip back to his old home. 
On his return he purchased one hundred and eight acres of land, in 1866, 
and in a short time was able to add thirty-nine and a half acres to his ranch, 
now owning one hundred and forty-eight acres one and a half miles from 
Rutherford. 

In 1876 Mr. Doak was married to Mary Brown, who was born near 
Belfast, Ireland. She survives her husband and makes her home with their 
only son. David A. The latter manages the ranch, which is located on the 
old George Yount grant. A vineyard of thirty acres yielded seventy tons 
in 1909, fifty tons in 1910, and over seventy tons in 1911. The rest of the 



992 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



land is in grain and pasture, where the OAvner keeps eight head of stock. 
Following the manifold duties of the farm David A. Doak has few idle 
moments, but he always has time to be civil and courteous to all those 
with whom he comes in contact. He votes the Republican ticket and, through 
his identification in the Presbyterian Church, his charities are many. 



A. HENRY BOLOMEY. 

In the list of scientific men who have been attracted to California stands 
prominently the name of A. Henry Bolomey, chemist, from the College of 
Lausanne, Switzerland. He came to this state in 1899 and in San Francisco 
followed his profession for a number of years, first for individuals, and sub- 
sequently for the state and government, securing for himself a high standing 
in the field of chemistry. 

Mr. Bolomey was born in Switzerland, April 17, 1865, and upon receiv- 
ing his education there and mastering his vocation, at the early- age of 
eighteen he embarked for this country, arriving in New York and from 
there came to San Francisco. It was here that he was united in marriage 
with Pauline Schmidt, a native of Germany, and to them were born a son, 
A. Henry, Jr., now attending college, and a daughter, Lucienne, who is a 
nurse in a sanitarium in St. Helena, Cal. 

Mr. Bolomey's interests are chiefly along educational and scientific lines; 
he is a student and experimentalist in horticulture, and to his ranch, known 
as Redwood Ranch, of one hundred and fifty acres in Dry Creek valley, 
he devotes much time and derives much pleasure. Here he has twenty 
acres devoted to fruit and garden for family use, the balance being in timber, 
ten thousand cords being the annual output. In this timber are frequently 
found arrow heads and other relics, which is evidence that some Indian 
tribes had a hunting and camping ground on his property, and wild animals 
have also frequented the woods. 

It is with great pride that Mr. Bolomey looks over his vast possessions, 
a vista of unsurpassing beauty and a land of peace and plenty, but he does 
not despise the days of small beginnings and is ever ready to lend a hand 
to a student of his calling, and to the church of the Seventh Day Adventists, 
of which he is a member, he devotes most of his charities. Politically he is 
a Republican. 



M. M. MOFFITT. 

Forty-six years ago, when he was five years old, M. M. Moffitt came 
to California with his mother and uncle. Much has been said of the courage 
of men that crossed the plains in the early days, but it took more than 
courage for Mrs. Moffitt, whose husband had lost his life at the hands of 
the Indians just five years before, to undertake the hazardous trip with a 
child. Mr. Moffitt's uncle, C. White, one of the early pioneers, coming here 
in 1848, was a successful miner, and twelve years later Thomas Jefferson 
Moffitt. our subject's father, spurred on by the knowledge of the vast wealth 
of gold in the Sierras, started across the plains with an emigrant train, with 
several thousand dollars in money, and horses and mules valued at $6,000. 
At a place on the plains called Battle Creek Mr. Moffitt became so ill that 
he was obliged to rest, thinking that after a few days camping he would 
be able to overtake the train, which it was deemed advisable should move 
on, as it was heavily loaded and its progress necessarily slow. Accordingly 
some of the stock was left behind and three men stayed in order to take 
care of it and to do what they could for Mr. Moffitt. The emigrant train 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 993 

was not more than out i^i sight, however, before the camp was surrounded 
by Indians who had been in hiding, awaiting their chance to capture their 
stock, money and belongings and performing heinous crimes, too horrible 
to relate, upon the men. torturing them to death. This outrage was not 
known by the train for many days and it was several months before tin- 
sad tidings reached the east. 

The trip taken by the Moffitl party was not without hardship and peril, 
hut they all reached California in safety, coming direct t" Santa Rosa, 
where he remained during his school days, and at the age of twenty years, 
after graduating from the Methodist College, he went to Amador county. 
where his Step-father was located. There for twenty-five years as assayer 
and paymaster of the Keystone mine he commanded the high -alary of S300 
a month. Besides this he enjoyed a large income from the Wabash mine. 
which is now valued at $40,000. In its undeveloped state diggings to the 
amount of S° per day had been secured, and made for him a very com- 
fortable income. Besides this Mr. Moffitt and his mother own some very 
valuable property in San Francisco, at Nos. 29. 31 and 33 Washington 
street, and three residences on Pacific Heights, but for the past twenty 
vears thev have lived in Napa and Sonoma counties, last year having leased 
a ranch oi one hundred acres belonging to heirs. Here Mr. Moffitt has 
engaged entensively in the poultry business, making a specialty of white 
leghorns, having three hundred pure bred fowls and many more hatching, 
having an incubator of five hundred egg canacity. On this ranch he has 
six fine horses and two work horses, a good deal of land being set in alfalfa. 
It was an old Indian camping ground and many Indians have been buried 
there, arrows and relics having been found on the premises. 

M. M. Moffitt was born in Iowa in 1860. his parents being Thomas 
Jefferson and Hattie (White) Moffitt. the latter still living in San Francisco 
Of the three children. Marian M., Thomas D. and a half-brother, William 
A., all are living. With the prosperity and accomplishments of a successful 
man. Mr. Moffitt has just passed the half-century mark, but good fortune 
has followed him from the first. His religion is the Golden Ride, and he is a 
member of the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World, where his 
charities are best known. 



JESSE G. ROWE. SR. 

The Rowe family comes of "Id eastern extraction. Jesse G. Rowe, Sr., 
was born in New Tcr'sev January 6, 1837, and when two years old was taken 
to Ohio, where his father, Philip Gray Rowe. settled on a farm near Cin- 
cinnati. In that neighborhood he attended school and also gained a prac- 
tical knowledge of agriculture, later also acquiring proficiency in the trade 
of an engineer. At the age of nineteen years he left Ohio and went as far 
west as Iowa, where he remained for a number of years and followed his 
trade as well as agricultural pursuits. While living there he met and married 
Miss Susan R. Armstrong. 

The journey that brought Mr. Rowe to California in 1864 was exceed 
ingly circuitous' owing to the absence of railroad connections between the 
east' and the west. Starting at Burlington. Des Moines county, he traveled 
via the railroad to New York City, where he took passage on the Ariel Eor 
Panama. Crossing the Isthmus on the railroad he then took passage on 
the Arazaba. which landed him at San Francisco in April with thirteen 
hundred other passengers. His plans had been made and brought him on 
t" Sacramento and from there down into the country to aid in boring wells. 
After four months he went to Folsom City. Sacramento county, and rented 
eleven hundred acres, largely adapted to the pasturage of stock and thus 



994 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

utilized by him. Three hundred acres were in hay and barley and in 1865 
he delivered at Sugar Loaf Station fifty tons of hay and fifty tons of barley, 
for which he received $50 per ton. Nine profitable years were passed on 
that ranch and he then removed to Davisville, where ever since he has made 
his home. 

Nine children were born to the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rowe. John D., 
the eldest son, married Mary Horning, a native daughter of the state, and 
they have four children. Philip H. chose as his wife Daisy Simmons, a 
native of California, and they have two sons and two daughters. Jesse G., 
Jr., married Miss Etta Wire, a native of the state, and they have six chil- 
dren. Charles H., who married Florence Davis, likewise a native daughter 
of the state, has one child, a daughter. Laura A., Mrs. Perry Scheffer, is 
the mother of seven daughters. Nettie V. married Charles Hadsall, a na- 
tive son of the state and at present serving as county clerk of Yolo county; 
they are the parents of four daughters. Minnie, Mrs. Charles Fissel, lives 
near Davisville and has two daughters. Zillah, Mrs. Orrin Wright, is a 
resident of Davisville. Eva is Mrs. F. A. Russell, of Woodland, and has 
two sons. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe are very proud of their nine children and 
thirty-two grandchildren, and they now have several great-grandchildren who 
form objects of especial affection. 

During early life Mr. Rowe became identified with the Methodist Church, 
and he is a Democrat, as also are his sons. Fraternally Philip and John 
hold membership with the Woodmen, Charles has local connection with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Jesse G., Jr., belongs to Athens 
Lodge No. 228, F. & A. M. of Davisville. The firm of Rowe & Wire, of which 
Jesse G. Rowe, Jr., is a member, engages in the tinning and plumbing busi- 
ness, also conducts a general repair shop and deals in pumps, windmills, 
tanks, gasoline engines of all sizes and well-boring machinery. Outside of 
the men in the shop and office five men are given constant employment in 
the boring of wells and a large business is conducted in that line. 



HENRY TIEDEMANN. 

Strong national characteristics marked the progress of the life of Henry 
Tiedemann, and the manner of his steady toil and earnest application was 
at once the admiration and inspiration of his friends. Born in Lamstadt, 
Germany, in 1841, he did not have many of the advantages of a German 
upbringing, for we learn that he was quite young when he left his native 
land on a sailing vessel bound for the United States. A voyage of three 
months brought him to New York harbor, and for a time he worked on a 
farm in New Jersey. Coming to California in 1870, he settled down to farm- 
ing near Petaluma, Sonoma county. Later he came to Yountville, Napa 
county, and worked for ten years on the McFarland ranch, near this place. 
In 1887 he bought the Lowell place, consisting of twenty-four acres of good 
land. He passed away in Yountville in 1900. Loved ones mourn his loss 
and honor his memory, and to them he left the legacy of a life well spent. 
He was a member of the Knights of Pythias. 

Mr. Tiedemann was married in 1879 to Rose S. Sutter, who was born 
in Canton Zurich, Switzerland, and who came to California in 1876. The 
following children were born to them: Charles P., in San Francisco; Henry, 
on the old home place; Lulu, the wife of Louis Farres, of this vicinity; and 
Holly and Adeline, who also reside on the old home place. 

After the death of her husband Mrs. Tiedemann undertook the man- 
agement of the ranch and that she was equal to the responsibility was evi- 
dent in her accomplishments. She added to the original acreage until the 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND XAPA COUNTIES 995 

ranch comprised seventy-two acres, having fifteen acres in vineyard and 

the remainder in hay and pasture land. Mrs. Ticdemann was a chicken 
fancier and possessed some very fine blooded birds. The success with which 
she met in her undertakings was merited and all who knew her admired 
her courageous spirit. She passed away September 3, 1 *> 1 1 - mourned no1 
alone by her immediate family, but by her many friends and acquaintances. 



CHARLES CANTONI. 

A native of Switzerland, born in Ticino, December 20, 18(o. Diaries 
Cantoni came to the United States and to the Pacific coast in youth with 
only $1.50 in his pocket and in debt $180. He is now a well-known and 
prosperous rancher in Xapa county, having risen to his position by applying 
inherited characteristics to the business spirit of the land to which he came. 
Coming to California in 18S0 he worked on a ranch devoted to dairying at 
Duncans Mills, Sonoma county, and during the thirty-three months he was 
there he learned much about the conduct of a dairy ranch, as well as methods 
of general ranch work. Leaving Sonoma county he came to Solano county 
in 1883 and worked on a dairy ranch three miles north of Vallejo on Napa 
road, afterward giving up his employment to go into partnership with I. C. 
Braghetta in a dairying business. The partners rented Holyoke ranch, near 
Xapa Junction and for thirteen years conducted a successful business, dur- 
ing which time they were both able to save money and purchase property. 
In 1897 the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent and Mr. Cantoni 
moved to his present location, a ranch of two hundred and ninety-six acres, 
just east of Xapa Junction. When he purchased this ranch there were no 
improvements. He built the modern residence, two large barns and the 
other necessary buildings for conducting an up-to-date farm and dairy. He 
also set out a vineyard and orchard and today the place is one of the most 
prosperous and productive in the vicinity. Wheat, oats and barley are the 
products of this fine ranch and some seasons the wheat yield has been as 
high as sixteen sacks to the acre. At one time the owner had a dairy of 
forty-five cows, but now has only about twenty-five. For all that he has 
been able to accomplish Mr. Cantoni shares the credit with his wife, who 
has been his invaluable assistant. 

Mr. Cantoni is a member of the United Order of Red Men, Vallejo 
Lodge, and is an active participant in the affairs of his order. He is also 
a member of the school board of American Canon district and favors modern 
methods for the instruction of the young. He was married in 1895 to Mi>s 
Matilda Beltrametti and to this union was born one son, John, who is attend- 
ing the Xapa high school. The example of Mr. Cantoni in building up a 
competency from nothing is well worthy the imitation of young men of today. 



GEROLAMO C AST AGXETTO. 

Among the sons of Italy who have contributed to the citizenship of 
California is Gerolamo Castagnetto. who though a resident of the state for 
forty years, has lived in Vallejo only since 1895. In the ancient city of 
Genoa he was born in 1852. and while still a young boy his love of the sea 
led him to ship as a cabin boy on board one of the numerous vessels ship- 
ping from that port. The fascination of the life was the cause of his enlist- 
ment on merchant vessels sailing to distant shores, and while still very young 
he had visited nearly all of the principal ports in the world. 

On account of his vast experience as a seaman Mr. Castagnetto did not 
regard his immigration to the new world in 1871 as such an undertaking 



996 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



as might otherwise have been the case. As he had intended, this trip proved 
his last ocean voyage, for it was his purpose to settle down to the life of 
the landsman, and in California he has more than realized his expectations. 
He had been primarily attracted to the state on account of the mining pos- 
sibilities it offered and for over twenty years he mined for gold in Sierra 
county, in the vicinity of Sierra City. 

Since coming to Vallejo in 1895 Mr. Castagnetto has been engaged in 
the wholesale and retail liquor business at Nos. 300-304 Virginia street, five 
men being employed. For a number of years Mr. Castagnetto was the sole 
owner of the business, but since 1907 business has been conducted tinder 
the name of G. Castagnetto & Son, his son Victor M. being taken in as a 
partner in that year. 

In Sierra City, Cal., April 2, 1881, Mr. Castagnetto was married to Rosa 
Canessa, also a native of Italy. All of their five children were born in Sierra 
county, but of the number only three are living, Victor M., Columbo J. and 
Adelina. Fraternally Mr. Castagnetto is identified with the Masons, having 
joined the order in Sierra City. 



ISIDORO CHARLES BRAGHETTA. 

A native of Switzerland, born in Canton Ticino, February 22, 1861, Mr. 
Braghetta came to this country at the age of twenty, with only a few dollars 
in his pocket and no friends to give him more. Coming to California in 
1881, he worked on a dairy ranch at Guallala, Sonoma county, where he had 
an opportunity to learn the dairying business as conducted in this country. 
Ten months later he came to Napa county and for fifteen months worked 
in a vineyard on Cedar Knoll ranch, formerly known as the Old Hagan 
ranch. Hearing of an opening on a dairy ranch three miles north of Vallejo, 
Solano county, he went there and engaged to work for wages. The next 
important step was his association in the dairy business with Charles Can- 
toni, on the Holyoke ranch of four hundred and twenty acres. For thirteen 
years they operated the dairy and ranch near Napa Junction, and then, in 
1897, the partnership was amicably dissolved. It had been productive of 
much good in the experience of Mr. Braghetta, for the two worked together 
with unanimity of purpose and profited by the united effort. In 1898 Mr. 
Braghetta bought two hundred and sixteen acres of the Holyoke ranch which 
he has in wheat, oats and barley, besides which he has a dairy of about 
forty cows. 

Mr. Braghetta is a member of the United Order of Red. Men, Vallejo 
Lodge, and is a school trustee of Soscol district. He was married in 1893 
to Josephine Beltrametti, and they have three children, Eliza, Olga and Mary. 
Mr. Braghetta is a successful rancher and is honored for his integrity, en- 
terprise and honesty of purpose. 



PETER J. YOLO. 

The owner of a dairy in Solano county, Peter J. Yolo is closely iden- 
tified with the progress of the community in which he lives, having built up 
a good business by straight forward dealing. Born in Canton Ticino, Switzer- 
land, in November, 1870, Peter Yolo spent the first nineteen years in his 
native land, which is famed the world over for its dairies. Coming to Amer- 
ica at the age of nineteen, he located on Joyce Island, Solano county, and 
for five years he worked on a dairy, thus becoming acquainted with the 
method of conducting the business in this country. Leaving the Island, he 
went into partnership with his brother, Joseph Yolo, continuing this asso- 



HISTORY OF SOLAXO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

nation until three years ago, when he came to Elmira and bought about 
seventy acres of land for himself. On this ranch he lives with his family 
and carries on the dairy. He is also engaged in raising alfalfa, having a 
pumping plant for irrigation. 

Mr. Yolo was married in San Francisco to Miss Angelina Luchessa, a 
native of Switzerland, and the union has been blessed with four children, 
Joseph P.. Emma F.. Lena P. and John V. Mr. Yolo is a member of the 
Roman Catholic Church and politically is a supporter of the Republican 
principles. 



CARL E. SCHMEISER. 

A prosperous rancher of Dixon. Carl E. Schmeiser was horn in Yolo 
county. Cal., in June. 1877. and has spent his whole life in this state. He 
IS well acquainted with all details of agriculture of Solano county, for he 
has followed this vocation ever since he had to earn his own livelihood. 
Educated in the public school, he early decided to follow farming for a live- 
lihood, and made his first purchase of land in 1895. when he bought two 
hundred acres at S70 per acre. A portion of this land was devoted to almonds. 
In 1911 he removed to Dixon, where he built a new modern residence on 
his alfalfa farm one-half mile north of the city. 

Mr. Schmeiser married Bertha Runge, a native daughter of California, 
and to this union there have been horn two children. Vernon and Elda. Po- 
litically Mr. Schmeiser is a Republican and fraternally holds membership in 
Winters Lodge, Woodmen of the World. 



JULIUS DODINI. 

In the list of resourceful farmers of high standing in Solano county we 
mention the name of Julius Dodini. well known as a leading agriculturist 
of the northern locality. By birth and ancestry he is of the Swiss race. In a 
humble home in the little republic nestling at the foot of the Alps he was 
born in February of 1872, and there he learned life's early lessons of frugality, 
thrift and industry. When only fifteen years of age he sought the larger 
opportunities of the new world and since then has been identified with the 
landed interests of Solano county. 

Upon reaching San Francisco in 1887 Mr. Dodini came at once from 
that city to the Suisun valley and here he worked as a farm hand for three 
years. With the earnings of that period he embarked in farming for him- 
self and leased a tract of land, on which he engaged in dairying. To his 
country home in 1895 he brought his bride, who was Miss Mattie Jullieri, 
a native of Switzerland. Six children bless their union, namely: Arthur J., 
Florentine A.. Anna S.. Alice G.. Agnes X. and Ida Josephine. The parents 
are solicitous to give their children every advantage their mean- render 
possible, in order "that they may be prepared for whatever responsibilities 
await them in the future. 

Through the exercise of rigid economy Mr. Dodini was enabled to buy 
a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, about nine miles northwest oi 
Suisun. Fruit is now an important part of the farm products, there being 
eighteen acres in apricots, eight acres in figs and nine acres in cherries. In 
1907 he purchased three hundred and twenty acres more, located four miles 
west of Dixon, on which he now lives, engaged in dairying and farming, 
Sixty-five acres are in alfalfa, besides grain and pasture land. One hun 
dred and sixty head of cattle are kept on the farm, over one hundred of these 
being dairy cows, the income from which averaged about $40 per head dur- 



998 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



ing the year 1910. Forty head of horses and mules also are kept on the land, 
many of these being young stock. There are also about eighty head of 
hogs kept on the place. The alfalfa yields about seven tons to the acre, and is 
one of the most profitable crops that can be raised on the land, furnishing the 
most healthful of hay for the stock. 

Mr. Dodini is a Republican. Since 1911 he has served as school trustee 
of his district and for five years he was school trustee for the island district. 
Fraternally he holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and the Improved Order of Red Men, being an interested worker in 
the camp and lodge at Dixon. While living in his native land and as yet a 
mere boy he became a member of the Roman Catholic Church and his inter- 
est in that organization has never diminished. 



GEORGE MEE. 

Considerations of health necessitating a change of climate led Mr. Mee 
to Napa county and induced him to acquire the title to a valuable tract of 
land on Spring hill, where pure air, the right altitude and pure water soon 
restored him to his former strength and since have enabled him to boast of 
the merits of the place from a health standpoint. An original purchase of 
one hundred acres was supplemented by the acquisition of adjacent property, 
so that he now owns a farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres. Out of this 
tract ninety acres are under cultivation to crops suited to the soil and cli- 
mate, while the balance is in timber or utilized for the pasturage of the 
twenty-five head of stock kept on the place. At one time a vineyard of 
forty acres furnished large crops of grapes and suitable buildings were erected 
to care for the same. The product was converted into wine and sold in the 
city markets, where the superior quality brought ready customers. Careful 
management of the business was necessary for the maintenance of profitable 
prices, but the owner proved equal to the emergency and as long as the vine- 
yard remained in good bearing condition he sold the product at a gratify- 
ing profit, but eventually the vines were removed to give place to other crops. 

Born in county Cavan, Ireland, in April of 1847, George Mee was a 
child of six years when his parents, Edward and Hattie Mee, left their 
native Ireland and crossed the ocean to Canada. Both in the old country 
and in Canada the father followed the occupation of a schoolmaster, for 
which he was qualified by superior educational advantages and excellent 
powers of discipline. In addition to teaching school he interested himself 
in farming. The son was given a fair education in Canada and remained 
there until 1871. At the time of the great fire in Chicago he was working 
in that city and the catastrophe left an indelible impress upon his mind. 
Shortly afterward he came to California and secured work as a farm hand 
near Sacramento. After one and one-half years in the country he settled 
in Sacramento, where, in March of 1873, he was married in his own home 
to Miss Mary Coulter, a native of Ireland. A general transfer and express 
business occupied his attention from 1873 until May, 1877. Owing to the 
chronic recurrence of malaria fever he was advised by his physicians to seek 
a change of climate, whereupon he came to Napa county and took up agri- 
cultural pursuits. The raising of grain, the supervision of a family orchard 
and the care of the stock and the flock of chickens occupy his time and in 
return give him a neat profit for the year's efforts. 

The doctrines of Christianity have the support of Mr. Mee, who endeav- 
ors in his life to exemplify the teachings of the Lord, but makes no outward 
claims to church membership. In character he always has been upright and 
honorable, aiming to treat others as he would have them do by him. While 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 999 

he is devoted to his adopted country, political ambitions have not been awah 
ened in his breast and he lias been averse to assuming the burdens incident 
to office. It has been his preference simply and unostentatiously to follow 
the quiet round of agricultural duties incident to his existence, enjoying the 
comforts of home, the society of friends and the companionship of wife and 
children, without participating in any oi the affairs that are associated with 
civic enterprises or the public welfare. In his family there are seven chil- 
dren, namely: W. E.. George T.. James G., Harry L., John G.. Hattie S. 
and Thomas H. The only daughter married Frank S. Avers manager of 
the American Tea Company at San Diego, where they and their two chil- 
dren reside. George T.. who married Esther Borton. is a carpenter by trade 
and erected the house now occupied by his father. At this writing he has 
a position as foreman for a contracting company at Long Beach, Cal. Harry 
I... who married Esther Johnson, daughter of a minister formerly pastor of 
the St. Helena Methodist Episcopal Church, is the father of two children 
by that union. Thomas H., who is a graduate of the University of Southern 
California, has entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal denomination 
and already has given promise of more than usual success in the profession. 



MATHEUS GONSALVES. 

A popular dairyman of Vacaville. Matheus Gonsalves was horn on the 
Island of St. George, Azores, Portugal, January 31, 1868. At the age of 
seventeen, in 1885, he came to the United States, reaching Boston, Mass., 
in July of that year, and remaining there for a short time. From Massachu- 
setts he came to California, reaching Solano county in September with just 
S2 in his pockets, and he has been a resident of the county ever since. He 
first began working on farms for wages, and by being economical he was 
able to save a large portion of his earnings each month and ultimately was 
in a position to lease one hundred and sixty acres of land at Elmira. There 
he engaged in raising hay and grain for nine years, when he leased the Bruck 
place of one hundred and sixty acres and devoted it to dairying, supplying 
milk to families in Vacaville for nine years. In 1905 he purchased one hun- 
dred and sixty-eight and a quarter acres three miles southeast of Vacaville 
which he still owns, and later he rented one hundred and sixty acres ad- 
joining and thus enlarged his dairy, and he is now shipping cream to Suisun. 
Altogether he is running about four hundred and eighty-eight acres and keeps 
about forty cows of the well known Durham and Holstein breeds, as well 
as a large number of young stock, horses and hogs. Besides his dairy he 
has one hundred and sixty-eight acres in barley and wheat, and cuts from 
seventy-five to one hundred tons of hay each season. 

Politically Mr. Gonsalves is a Republican. He is a member of the 
Catholic Church. In Elmira he was married to Miss Mary J. Mattos, also 
born in the Azores, on the Island of Pico. To this union there were born 
three children: Frank, John (attending Vacaville high school), and Mamie. 



PETER A. DADO. 

From the republic of Switzerland many of the sturdy pioneers and 
rugged citizens of our state and country have come, bringing with them 
indomitable spirits, high ideals and restless energy. These assets have been 
harnessed and turned to good account in their association with American 
ideals, and consequently the majority of these immigrants have proven them- 
selves most worthy citizens of the United States. 

Peter A. Dado was born in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, in 1846, and 



1000 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



came to California when twenty-five years of age. He located in Marin 
county and for four years followed butter making and dairying with much 
success. He then moved to Napa county and resided in the region of the 
Napa redwoods until his death, in 1899. He purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of wild land and improved the same, building a house and barn 
and planting a vineyard and an orphard. His place of residence was known 
as Ivy Cottage, situated about twelve miles from Napa, on the Brown's 
valley road. 

In San Francisco, in April, 1872, Mr. Dado married Louisa Lohmann, 
a native of Posen, Germany, who came to San Francisco in 1871, in com- 
pany with her parents, Gotleib and Fredericka (Boettcher) Lohmann, and 
resided there until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Dado the following chil- 
dren were born : Hermann, Benjamin, Peter, Frederick, Frank and Marie. 
Hermann married Coba Sax and they have one child, Anita. Peter married 
Louisa Glos and they have two children, Peter and Zelda. Frank married 
Hulda Woodworth. Marie married Gustaf Schneider, a musician of San Fran- 
cisco, and they have one child, Ewald. 

After the death of Mr. Dado his widow married Otto Zaugg, a native 
of Switzerland, the ceremony taking place in San Francisco. In 1910 Mr. 
and Mrs. Zaugg bought sixteen acres of land and built a home in the Napa 
redwoods. 



JAMES H. McCORD. 

The life which this narrative depicts began in Somerset county, N. J., 
December 29, 1826, and closed near St. Helena, Cal., August 7, 1890, after 
a long period of useful activity in the Napa valley dating back to the year 
1852. The fourth among the children of James and Mary (Woodruff) Mc- 
Cord, of eastern birth and lineage, James H. McCord was five years of age 
when he was taken into the home of his father's uncle in Morris county, 
N. J., and there he remained for seven years, meanwhile attending the public 
schools. After returning to Somerset county he entered upon an appren- 
ticeship to the trade of a shoemaker and acquired by diligent effort a thor- 
ough knowledge of the occupation, which later he followed as a journey- 
man. At the age of twenty years he went to Essex county, N. J., for the 
purpose of working at his trade, but soon gave up business cares in order 
to become a participant in the Mexican war. Six months of service were 
given to his native land as a soldier at the front, but the breaking of one of 
his arms produced a disability that caused him to be honorably discharged. N 

A brief sojourn at Detroit, Mich., followed by removal to St. Joseph, 
same state, gave Mr. McCord an opportunity to open a boot and shoe store 
in the latter city. April 1, 1849, he joined an expedition at St. Joseph, Mo., 
and started across the plains for California, traveling with wagons drawn by 
oxen. The tedious journey consumed five and one-half months and brought 
him to the state via the Truckee cut-off. From Sacramento, after a short 
stop, he proceeded to Sonoma county and secured employment in the red- 
woods. During the spring of 1850 he took charge of a farm owned by Gen- 
eral Vallejo, but soon resigned the position and opened a boot and shoe store 
in the village of Sonoma, where he made for the same distinguished Spaniard 
the first pair of boots manufactured north of the bay of San Francisco. The 
occupation, however, proved too confining for his health and in April of 
1852 he came to the Napa valley, where he settled near the present site of 
St. Helena, taking up farm land as well as working in the redwood timber. 

Ninety-three acres purchased by Mr. McCord in 1855 formed the nucleus 
of the property now owned by his widow. Hither he brought his family 
and here all of his children but the eldest (a native of Sonoma) were born. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 1001 

Forty acres of the farm were planted in a vineyard and in 1872 he embarked 
in the manufacture oi wine. Disaster tnel the effort, for at the expiration "t 

six months the entire plant was destroyed by fire and twenty-six thousand 
gallons of wine were lost. During 1876 he made a new start in the mauu 
facture of wine and eventually became the owner of one of the finest cellars 
in the state. Giving his attention very closely to business matters, he had 
no leisure for participation in politics or fraternal matters, yel he served 
impartially as justice of the peace and associate judge of Napa county. 
Throughout the community he was honored as a man of high worth and 
sterling attributes of character. 

A marriage ceremony at Sonoma performed by Judge Handley on the 
17th oi April. 1851, united the destinies of James H. McCord and Miss Mary 
Griffith, who was born in North Carolina December 2, 1834. She is the 
daughter oi James A. and Elizabeth (Rogers) Griffith, who came to Califor- 
nia in 1845. theirs being the first wagons to cross the Sierras into California. 
Mrs. McCord is therefore a pioneer of 1845. The eldest child born to Mr. 
and Mrs. McCord was Lafayette, who was born January 8. 1852; he is 
married and the father of two children. Nathaniel, born March 15, 1854. has 
been twice married, having three children by the first wife and one by the 
second union. Albert, born July 30. 1859, lias a family of four children. 
Ellen, born July 20. 1862. married Elias Gates and has two children. AuguMa, 
born December 6. 1868, is the wife of Albert Newell and the mother of two 
children. James M. and Lillian B. James II.. born April 5, 1872, married 
Martha Hill. The youngest living member of the family, Lillian M., Mrs. 
James Maddux, of St. Helena, has one daughter. Edith E. There were also 
three other daughters in the family circle, but all of them died in childhood. 

The son. James, who bears his father's name and is continuing the work 
once superintended by that parent, married a native daughter of Napa county, 
belonging to a well known pioneer family of the west. Her mother came 
via the Isthmus as early as 1849, while her father landed in California Sep- 
tember 22. 1859, and later became a resident of Napa, where he died in 1883. 
In the family of James and Martha McCord there were the following-named 
children besides an infant, born September 29. 1904, and deceased unnamed: 
Isabel C. born October 26, 1894; Mary F., Tulv 24, 1896; Eva M., September 
26. 1898; Pearl A.. August 1, 1900; Martha H.. October 16. 1902; James H.. 
September 23. 1906; and Delia D., December 11, 1910. The two eldest daugh- 
ters are students in the Napa Business College, having previously completed 
the studies of the country schools. The younger children are being sent to 
school as they reach the stipulated age for primary work. 

At the time of his death the senior McCord owned a homestead of one 
hundred and twenty acres, on which there was then and still remains a 
vineyard of thirty acres. For the season of 1911 it produced seventy t 
of grapes. A small family orchard furnishes the family with all the fruit 
they desire for home use. Fifteen acres of the farm are in grain and there 

a>tnre for six head of stock kept on the land. In political views father 
and -"ii< gave >tanch support to the Republican party and were loyal to 
its principles at all times. 



PATRICK H. LENNON. 

A retired stock-raiser, residing in Napa and a pioneer of Napa county 
since 1858. Patrick H. Lennon was born in county Roscommon. Ireland, in 
March. 1835, a son of Michael and Honora (Moran) Lennon. His mother 
died while he was a young boy and in 1842 he started with his father on the 
long voyage from Ireland to America. During this voyage the father died 
and was buried at sea. leaving the seven-year-old child an orphan, home- 



1002 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



less, friendless and penniless. The voyage across the Atlantic ended on the 
arrival of the vessel at Quebec and shortly afterwards the orphan was taken 
to the home of Mr. Crozier, Washington county, N. Y., where he was in- 
structed in the first principles of agriculture, and proving an apt scholar, 
he soon made himself useful on the farm. 

The spell of the Pacific Coast country was not without its charms for 
Mr. Lennon and in 1857 he went to New York City and embarked on a vessel 
bound for the Isthmus of Panama. In due course of time he arrived, March 
19, 1858, at San Francisco. Realizing that agriculture is one of the main- 
stays of any country, Mr. Lennon invested his meager capital in the pur- 
chase of a small house on a grant of land near St. Helena, Napa county, after 
having satisfied himself as to the productivity of this region. Two years 
later he moved close to Napa City and rented a ranch for one year, when 
he was able to purchase it. During the following years by untiring energy 
and splendid application he improved the property by the erection of farm 
buildings, the planting of an orchard, etc., and its value was increased rapidly. 
One notable improvement on this property is the row of pine and cypress 
trees planted from the house to the road, some of which are now three feet 
thick. 

The motto of this pioneer man is "The best of everything," and this 
was very carefully applied in the large stock-raising business of which Mr. 
Lennon made a specialty, although raising wheat and barley in large quan- 
tities. Only the finest breeds of stock were kept and he is well known 
throughout the county for the splendid breed of Durhams he maintained. 
Raising horses was a delight and a fascination to this enterprising man and 
on his ranch a large number of roadsters were bred, one span of which he 
sold for $1200 and others have brought from $600 to $800 each. Men came 
from all parts of the country to view his stock before purchasing elsewhere, 
so well known was his name and reputation. In 1890 parts of his ranch 
were let out to persons desiring to grow vegetables and five years later he 
sold the entire property, which is now known as the Spreckels ranch. At 
the time of selling he moved into Napa, purchasing an attractive residence 
on First street. 

Mr. Lennon married Carrie Welsh, a native of Boston, Mass., who died 
in October, 1908. Of this union there were born three daughters : Ethel, 
who died in childhood ; May, the wife of John F. Bradt, the owner of a 
blacksmith business in Napa ; and Ella, who married Alexander A. Herritt, 
and has one son, Lennon W. 



ANTONIO FILOMEO. 

The Filomeo patronymic denotes the Italian origin of the subject of this 
sketch, Antonio Filomeo. He was born in Castroville, Italy, in the year 
1871 and at the age of eight he came to the United States with his mother, 
his father, John Filomeo, having come hither previously, first locating in 
Colorado and later coming to California, where the family joined him. An- 
tonio Filomeo was educated in the public schools of San Francisco and at 
the same time worked industriously helping his parents. In 1884 he came 
with his parents to Solano county. Here he remained for a short time and 
then returned to San Francisco, but not to stay, for we find him once again 
coming to the fertile Vaca valley, where his father had bought land. At 
an early age he began working on his father's farm, learning the rudiments 
of agriculture and horticulture. Eight years later, associated with others, 
he bought one hundred and sixteen acres of land, which was subsequently 
divided and Mr. Filomeo received thirty-five acres as his share. He bought 
more land and today he has one hundred and seventy-nine acres divided 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAI'A COUNTIES 1003 

into fruit lands and stock ranches. Thirty-five acres are in apricots, plums, 
grapes and peaches, ami after drying the fruit he Bhips it to Vacaville, Bix 
miles north of the ranch. Mr. Filomeo is preparing to .set out Bixtv four 
;urcs more to orchard. 

Mr. Filomeo was married September 16, 1894, to Miss Severia Dalto, a 
native of Tegano, Italy, who came to this country with her parents when 
she was an infant, and was reared and educated in San Francisco. All of 
the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Filomeo are Living, as follows: 
John, born in 1895; Joseph George, 1897; Rosie, 1899; Eddie S., 1901 : William 
Stanley. 1903; Alvera C. 1905; and Lucia. 1909. 

Mr. Filomeo is looked upon as one of the most successful farmers of 
the Vaca valley. He is roadmaster of the district in which he lives and has 
served as a member i^i Vacaville high school hoard for the last five years. 
In addition to his fruit and stock ranches he owns property in Vacaville, 
but spends most of his time looking after his orchards. Mr. Filomeo came 
to this country as a youth of eight years and by persistence and pluck he 
has achieved for himself an education and a competency which he set out 
to do and has acquired a place in the community that other young men 
would do well to emulate. 



GEORGE C. ALLAN. 

Born in Scotland in the year 1849. for twenty-one years George C. Allan 
walked the heather of his native land. During boyhood he attended the 
public school of his birth-place, and later he learned the milling trade. On 
reaching his majority he left the shores of "bonnie Scotland," determined to 
seek his fortune in the great and promising United States. Arriving at 
Boston. Mass., he fortunately found work at his trade, and has followed 
this all his life, with the exception of the last five years, since then following 
ranching and working at the carpenter's trade. 

Mr. Allan came to California in 1874. first going to San Francisco. His 
experiences since coming here have been varied. He has erected mining ma- 
chinery and traveled to Peru and South America. Twenty-five years ago 
he bought the place he now owns, in all over forty-nine acres. Of this, 
thirty acres are now in cultivation to all kinds of fruits suitable for local 
and distant markets. 

In 1906 Mr. Allan married Miss Mary Emma Coulter, a native of Mis- 
souri, who was brought to California when two years old. Mr. Allan is a true 
representative of his nationality and has won many friends by his geniality 
of disposition and careful consideration of the good of others. Politically 
he is a Republican. 



SAMUEL K. CAGLE. 

Born in Jasper county. Mo., August 28. 1860. Samuel Cagle grew to 
manhood on a farm and received common school advantages. He lived in 
the vicinity of the lead and zinc mines and secured employment as a miner 
for some years, but agriculture suited his inclinations better than mining 
and he decided to seek a location where opportunities for a farmer were 
more favorable than in his own section of the country. At the age of thirty- 
one years he came to California and settled in San Bernardino count v. where 
he secured employment on a ranch. The principal industry conducted by his 
employer was a dairy of Holstein cows and the young hand devoted con- 
siderable attention to milking and caring for the cows. For some time he 
continued on the dairy ranch and meanwhile became familiar with the best 



1004 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



methods of carrying on such a business. Later he resigned his position in 
order to embark in farming for himself. 

Upon coming to Solano county in 1900 Mr. Cagle rented a farm and for 
some time operated as a tenant, but meanwhile he was saving his earnings 
and eventually he felt justified in purchasing property for himself. Industry 
and economy enabled him to buy the eighty acres near Dixon that he now 
owns and operates. Twenty acres are in alfalfa, which without irrigation 
has produced as much as two tons per acre a year. The balance of the farm 
is under cultivation to grain. Fourteen sacks of barley is considered a fair 
average crop for an acre of land. Facilities for irrigation have been intro- 
duced on the farm through a new well one hundred feet deep. He is a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Dixon and has been 
an influential worker in the lodge. As a Democrat he takes a quiet part in 
local politics and keeps posted concerning the questions affecting our national 
welfare. 

Mr. Cagle married Miss Mary Vancuren, an own cousin of Senator Harry 
Willis of San Bernardino. The children born of the union are as follows : 
Pansy E., who married William J. Jahn and resides at Davisville ; Paul A., 
Samuel E.. Charles A. and Chester O. 



JOHN BURROUGHS. 

The annals of Morgan county, 111., state that John Burroughs was born 
in that county December 15, 1862, a son of George and May (Connell) 
Burroughs. The former was born in England in 1830 and as a young man 
came to the United States and married May Connell in Illinois. To the 
union there were born five children : George, John, Mary, Elizabeth and 
Nellie. Mary married Mr. Kennal and has four children ; Elizabeth married 
Fred Debolt and has two children ; and Nellie married Charles Debolt. 

From Illinois, John Burroughs accompanied the family to Minnesota, 
and for six years resided in Mower county. In 1875, when he was thirteen 
years old, he left the parental roof and came to Napa county, Cal., by train. 
After living in Napa for a time he later passed one year where the Soldiers' 
Home now stands and for fourteen years he worked in Woodland, Yolo 
county, doing general harvesting work and spending a number of months 
each year working in a vineyard. From Yolo county he went to Trinity 
county, remaining there four years and spent one year in Trinity and Placer 
counties discharging the terms of a mail contract that he received from the 
government. For this work he received $600 a year. In 1891 he home- 
steaded one hundred and sixty acres of good land near Sulphur Glenn in 
Sage Canyon, Napa county, where he has a fine sulphur spring. A portion 
of the ranch is used for raising grain and hay and the balance is in fruit, 
vines, and pasture. Like his father, Mr. Burroughs is a Democrat and is 
associated with the Odd Fellows order. 



HERMAN W. GOLDS. 

A native of Germany, Herman W. Golds was born in 1834. He learned 
the blacksmith's trade with characteristic thoroughness, so that, when he 
came to America and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, he was competent to earn 
his own living. After remaining in Cleveland for a number of years he came 
to California in 1860, via the Panama route, and settled in Marysville, Sutter 
county, working at his trade under the direction of the California Stage 
Company. After leaving this employ he settled for a time in Santa Clara 
county and then in Lake county, and in 1882 he came to Napa county. He 



HISTORY OF SOLANO \\l> NAPA COUNT11 > 1005 

tirst settled on a ranch on the Big Ranch road and later came to the Fly 
district, where he lived until his death in 1894. The old home place La an 
eighty-five acre ranch about six miles southeast of Napa, on which Mr. Golds 
conducted a vineyard as well as raising fruit, grain and alfalfa. 

In 1865, in Sacramento, Mr. Golds was married to Miss Mary E, Kah, 
and to this union eight children were horn. They are a^ follows: Flora, 
the wife of J. C. Larsen. of Napa county; William, who died in 1S ( >2; John. 
with H. S. Schwarz Co.. of Napa: Carrie, the wife ^\ Joseph Kohinson, of 
Napa; Edward, with the Napa City Water Company and is also managing 
the home farm: Lillian, the wife of A. W. Chapman, of Napa; Frank, who 
lives on the adjoining ranch: and George, who resides in San Jose. After 
the death of her husband Mrs. Golds continued to operate the ranch they 
had improved until her death. June 5. 1911. Her loss was mourned not 
only by her children, but by her many friends, who had learned to love her 
for her main' excellent traits of character. 



JOSEPH LEE EDINGTON. 

A resident of Chiles valley. Joseph Lee Edington is the owner of three 
hundred and ninety-eight acres of land, recently purchased from James I'.. 
Edington, located about fourteen miles from St. Helena. This ranch is mostly 
all under cultivation and presents an appearance of care and attention seldom 
exceeded in this section. Two hundred acres are in grain and hay. Thirty- 
two in vineyard and the balance is pasture land, with the exception of a family 
orchard. There is plenty of wood on the place and some stock is kept; there 
are six head of horses, seven head of cows and twenty-two head of calves, 
besides a number of hogs. 

Mr. Edington was married in Xapa in 1899 to Emma, daughter of Samuel 
Radelfinger, a well known resident of Napa, Cal., who was employed at the 
Yallejo navy yard until he died in October. 1911. Mrs. Edington is a native 
daughter and is a woman of much initiative. They have one child, Velma. 



JOHN JACKSON SWIFT. 

A native of the south. John Jackson Swift, who was born in Adair 
county. Ky.. November 13. 1830, was only three years of age when his 
parents. Anthony W. and Melinda (York) Swift, closed out their affairs 
in the Blue Grass state and started in a "prairie schooner" for the newer 
country of Missouri. Entering government land in Pike county, Mo., the 
family remained there between eight and nine years and then removed 
further southwest in the same state, settling in Morgan county, where, as 
before, they entered a tract of government land. March 10, 1850, the young 
man left the parental home and from that time onward he made his own 
way in the world. After a brief stay with a neighbor, in April he joined 
an expedition bound for California. The trip was made with horses and 
mules with Samuel Hand as foreman of the company. With them as with 
other emigrants the Indians proved very troublesome. On one occasion 
they stampeded all of their stock, but by mounting their horses the whin- 
men kept them in sight and the next day were able to recover all that had 
been stolen. The trains before and behind them had considerable trouble 
with the Mormons, but they passed through their country peacefully. Upon 
reaching the district west of Weaver creek the train went ahead and left 
Mr. Swift and his companions alone, so he was compelled to make the 

46 



1006 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND, NAPA COUNTIES 

rest of the distance without money or provisions. On the last day of July, 
1850, he arrived at Hangtown and from there went to Georgetown, where 
he secured a position in a mine at $6 per day and board. To a hungry, 
penniless lad the wages seemed large and he remained until he had earned 
$40, when acting on the advice of a friend at Georgetown he went to a 
place the friend had just left, but found no opportunity for work. Next he 
tried the Kelsey mine but without any special luck. A later effort at 
Missouri Flat was more successful and he and his companion left that dis- 
trict with gold to the value of $5,000. The next expedition took him to 
the south fork of the American river, where he undertook deep water mining 
for gold and where he prospered until the water rose so high as to prevent 
further work. 

An experience of three years at Gold Hill, Eldorado county, left Mr. 
Swift with a profit of about $5,000. Thereupon he took up a homestead 
of one hundred and sixty acres in Eldorado county and built a cabin in 
which to live, also constructed a table, some chairs and other articles of 
furniture. On selling his claim he removed to the Napa valley in 1859 and 
for a time engaged in binding wheat at $5 per day, after which he bought 
two hundred and sixty-four acres, remaining on the land until 1902. He 
then came to Napa, where he and his wife own two comfortable cottages, 
but they made their home on Calistoga avenue. For eight years he served 
as road supervisor. For a long time he held the offices of clerk of the town 
and trustee of the Eldorado school. In early life he was an active worker 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he long has been con- 
nected with the blue lodge of Masonry and in politics he votes with the 
Democratic party in national elections. 

The marriage of Mr. Swift and Hannah (Gwin) Winston, a native of 
Ohio, was solemnized in Napa in 1865. 

By her marriage with Mr. Winston she had six children, two of whom 
died in infancy and those living are John G., Mrs. Angeline Davis, Mrs. 
Laura Chapman, and Olive. Of the union with Mr. Swift there have been 
ten children, two dying in infancy and eight living. Anthony W. married 
Julia Jenson and has two children ; J. Franklin married Sarah McLaughlin 
and has two children ; Miles E., residing in Los Angeles, married Clara 
Graham and they have one child; Minnie is the wife of Henry Studer and 
the mother of two children; Delia, Mrs. A. W. Beer, has two children, and 
they are residents of Washington, D. C. ; Chester A. married Alice Cook 
and they have two children ; George is the next in order of birth ; and Mazie 
is the wife of J. L. Reams and has one child. Since settling in Napa Mr. 
Swift has lived retired with his family and surrounded by his friends. 



GERMAIN CROCHAT. 

The life of Germain Crochat commenced in France in the year 1822 and 
ended in Napa county, Cal., January 19, 1894. It is recorded that Mr. Crochat 
came to New Orleans before the war in 1861 and lost all he had in Louisiana. 
After a very severe attack of yellow fever he decided to come to California 
by way of the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in 1870, poor in pocket but rich 
in resolves to do and to achieve. In his native land he had learned the trade 
of distiller and on coming to Napa valley he found this trade of much use 
to him, for he hired himself out to work for Mr. Krug of St. Helena, in the 
wine business. Here he worked steadily for two years, in which time he saved 
as much as he could from his weekly pittance and at the end of the time men- 
tioned he was able to purchase, with Mitzener Valper, a ranch of seven hun- 
dred and fifty acres of land in Conn valley. Only a portion of this land was 



:;. 



HISTORY OV SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 1007 

improved, but the new owners commenced improving it by planting a vine 
yard, and Mr. Crochat established a winery and a distillery, this being one 
of the firsl plants of its kind to be sel up in Conn valley. Mere Mr. Crochat 
remained until his death. 

In 1882 Mr. Millet, Mr. Crochat's nephew, with two children, came from 
France. Mr. Millet married Louise Mason, a native of France, the ceremony 
taking place in their native land in 1879. Three children were horn to them, 
\dolph. Mane and Germain, the latter being born on the voyage to \merica. 
Marie married |. 1.. Freeman, and they reside in \ allejo, Cal., with their two 
children. Albert and Louise. Mr. Millet was killed November 16, 1882. 

Mr. Crochat married Mrs. Louise Millet and to them were born two sons, 
Jules and Leon, who are both single and remain at home with their mother. 
When the father left them at the call of Death, the family sold out their in- 
terests in Conn valley and purchased a two hundred and eighteen acre ranch 
in Chiles valley. They have a twelve acre vineyard and about seventy acres 
oi grain land, the rest being devoted to pasture. There are about ten head 
oi cattle on the place and also an orchard for family use. The family are 
members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Crochat was a member of the 
Masonic order and politically he was a Democrat. 



ANTON ROSSI. 

One of the successful wine makers of the vicinity of St. Helena is Anton 
-i. who was born in Canton Ticino, Switzerland, December 28. 1852. 
At the age of eighteen years he landed in New York a very poor lad and 
for three years worked hard in order to gain a livelihood. His next m 
was to California, in 1874, and after a short stay in San Francisco he \ 
t<> Sonoma county. After working there for a while he came to St. Helena 
and took up his present industry. He now owns one hundred and sixty 
acres of good land in Spring valley, about three miles east of St. Helena, 
under a high state of cultivation. Besides thirty-five acres of vineyard 
there is a small orchard and the balance of the property is devoted to grain 
and pasture. Mr. Rossi has a winery with a capacity of thirty thousand 
gallons. 

Mr. Rossi was married in St. Helena to Ida M. Bacon, a native of 
Kansas. To them were born the following children: Fred B., who married 
A. Bollat; Luther C. who married Minnie Hall, they and their two chil- 
dren living in San Francisco; and Arthur G. Politically Mr. Rossi is a 
Republican and he and his family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. 



HENRY BEDDOE. 

A native of Utah. Henry Beddoe was born in Salt Lake City June 26. 
1853. one of the seven children born to his parents, William and Mary B. 
Beddoe. The children were as follows: Henry, Benjamin. Elinor, Margarette, 
Mary A.. Naomi and Margaret. Mary A. married M. Frazer, a native of 
Indiana, and six children were born to them. Margaret became the wife 
Of Park II. Hall. 

Henry Beddoe remained in his birthplace until his parents moved back to 
St. Joseph, Mo., settlement being afterward made in Rolla, Phelps county, 
that state, and he continued under the parental roof until he was forty-five 
years of age. In Missouri he married Ella Moore, a native of New Jersey. 
and nine children were born to them, as follows: Daisy F... Tansy 1... William 
\Y.. Benjamin F.., Thomas IT. Everett E., Adolph R.. Morris and Roy R. 



1008 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



William W. married Hannah Wiley, of Rolla, Mo., and they have three chil- 
dren; Benjamin E. married Anna Lowe, of Hannibal, Mo., and they have two 
children; Thomas H. married Edna Stone, and they have two children; Daisy 
E. married James A. Stephens, a minister residing in San Francisco. 

Henry Beddoe came to California in 1898 and purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of land in Chiles valley. He died in the year 1906, and the work 
of the farm is now carried on by the children. The ranch is divided as 
follows : Thirty acres of grapes, eighty acres of pasture and timber, fifteen 
acres of alfalfa and fifteen acres of grain. The orchard consists principally 
of peaches and prunes, from which a good yield is obtained. Politically 
Mr. Beddoe was a Republican and fraternally he was a member of the Odd 
Fellows. The Beddoe family has done much to promote the welfare of 
the community and has materially added to the progress of the county. 



JOHN KJELLANDER. 

The birth of John Kjellander occurred in Sweden in 1826, and those 
who knew him aver that he was a true representative of that country. When 
he was twenty-four years old he set out for the new world, landing in San 
Francisco in 1850. He first followed mining in British Columbia, but the 
venture was not as successful as he had anticipated and he returned to 
California and settled in Napa county, taking up tilling of the soil. He 
cultivated in all twenty acres to prunes, peaches and table grapes and lived 
an industrious life on his ranch. 

Mr. Kjellander was a man well read in all affairs of national and inter- 
national importance as well as in general subjects. Politically he supported 
the Republican party. He did not establish a life of domesticity, in that 
he did not marry, but lived a life of usefulness, attending to his own duties 
and then doing all he could for the advancement of the welfare of others. 
He was a truly good man, of fine characteristics and was ever ready to aid 
those who had been less fortunate. His demise occurred in June, 1909, and 
he leaves many friends who honor his memory. 



HENRY T. MARCH. 

Prominent among the citizens of Chiles valley, Napa county, is H. T. 
March, whose success is due to individual labor and effort, rather than 
to inherited wealth and fame. He was born in the county in which he still 
resides, in Napa valley, October 18, 1859, and has ever been an interested 
participant in the growth and expansion of the county of his birth. He 
has not spent his life in the idle attempt to accumulate wealth in a ma- 
terial sense, but has paid attention to the cultivation of the spiritual side 
of his nature and his position as superintendent of the local Christian Church 
Sunday School is an indication of the regard in which he is held. 

The father of H. T. March, R. B. March, crossed the plains in 1857 
with an ox team train and settled in Napa valley, being satisfied that 
this section was destined to see great expansion in the immediate future. 
But changes came into the family life, and about two years after the birth 
of their son, of this review, they moved to Elmira, where the father engaged 
in the livery business for twelve years. He died at the age of seventy- 
three years. 

In Elmira, Cal., H. T. March married Miss Ava Shanks, a native of 
Missouri, whose mother came to California from Missouri in the early days. 
Eight children were born to them, as follows : Irvine, who married Mamie 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 100) 

Batton; Earl, who married Hazel Jacobson and they have one child, Ade 
line; Earnest, deceased: Lester; Harold; Milton; Mure! and Rachel. For 
eight years after his marriage Mr. March resided in Elmira, when he moved 
to Napa City anil rented a fruit farm for two years. The next move was 
to St Helena, where he worked on a farm, and alter selling his interests, 
worked in the store of L. A. 1'ritehard. and later for Henry Harris. He 
then moved into Chiles \ alley, where he purchased a farm of one hundred 
and sixty aeres. A vineyard of thirty aeres in young vines yielded seven 
tons of grapes in 1910. There is a small orchard on the place and the balance 
is used for hay ami pasture land. Mr. March keeps a few horses and cows 
and some hogs, but does not raise these for market. Fraternally he is a 
member of the Woodmen lodge and his wife is a member of the Women 
of Woodcraft. Politically he believes in voting for the man calculated to 
best serve the interests of the people, and he and his family are members 
oi the Christian Church. 



LOWERY SWEITZER. 

When in 1849 the news of the discovery of gold in California reached 
Iowa. Lowery Sweitzer. then a young man of twenty-eight years, was con- 
sumed with a desire to visit the land of promise, and in company with others 
he undertook the perilous trip to the Eldorado, from which he never re- 
turned. Mr. Sweitzer was horn in Iowa in 1821 and was there educated. 
On December 2. 1856. he was united in marriage to Mary E. Post, in Contra 

•a county, and two sons were born to them: Frank H., born November 
2. 1857. and Charles D.. horn February 18. 1859, both in Contra Costa. 
Mr. Sweitzer conducted a ranch near Big Bridge, Xapa county, with a 
commendable measure of success until the day of his death, which occurred 
January 31. 1878. He is survived by his widow. Mary Sweitzer, and his 
second son. Charles D. Frank II. was accidentally killed by a snow-slide 
on January 4. 1893. in British Columbia, and the fact was not known to 
the family until his mother read an account of it in the San Francisco 
papers. He was buried by his brother in the Freddie Lee mine in Kasto 
Slogan District, B. C. 

The oldest residence in Monticello is the home of Mrs. Sweitzer. where 
she now lives with her son Charles. In addition to this property they 
own a block of twelve lots and seventeen acres of land under cultivation. 
Although seventy-seven years of age. she is still hale and hearty, taking 
an interest in the general topics of the day and the welfare of the people, 
many of whom have been made happy by her deeds of charity, and it is 
said of Charles that he is a friend of every good cause. He is a member 
of several orders and holds the position of road master of his district, demon- 
strating the confidence the people have placed in him in many ways. 



J. M. MANSFIELD. 

Born in Dudley. Worcester comity. Mass., March 14. 1825. J. M. Man- 
field was a son of Jerry and Lucretia (Corbin) Mansfield, both horn and 
reared in that county. About 1828 the family removed to Vermont and 
settled on a farm near Barton. Orleans comity, where he grew to manhood, 
receiving meanwhile a common school and academical education. At nine- 
teen he began to teach school and during tw<> winters he followed that 
profession, helping on the farm in the summers. Winn he attained his 
majoritv he left home to earn his own way in the world. It had been his 
intention to Study medicine, hut he had little leisure for the study and 



1010 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

continued it under many discouragements until he was twenty-four. March 
4, 1849, he sailed from Boston on the ship Edward Fletcher, bound for 
California via the Horn, and after a tedious voyage he landed in San Fran- 
cisco on the 6th of September. Immediately after his arrival he found em- 
ployment as a carpenter. Next he teamed in mines near Stockton until 
an attack of fever forced him to relinquish all physical activities until the 
spring of the following year. 

During the summer of 1850 Mr. Mansfield engaged in trading between 
San Francisco and Stockton and afterward he opened a meat market at 
Stockton, where he remained for one year. Upon selling out that business 
he engaged in boating and trading from San Francisco to Stockton and 
Marysville. Later he went to San Francisco and embarked in the dairy 
business. Soon, however, he relinquished that business and removed to 
Napa county, where he acquired the title to more than three hundred acres 
north of Napa. That property he developed into a valuable ranch and it 
continued to be his home up to the time of his death, which occurred 
November 6, 1896. Through the judicious planting of fruit trees he made 
the ranch one of the most productive in the county. During the latter 
part of his life he became the owner of a farm of one hundred acres in 
Brown's valley. Farming continued to be his chief occupation, with horti- 
culture as a profitable specialty, but also he found leisure for other activities 
and for some time acted as a director of the Bank of Napa, besides which 
for two years he engaged in merchandising in Napa with J. F. Lamdin 
as a partner. 

Mrs. Mansfield bore the maiden name of Ellen G. Easterbrook and was 
born at Concord, N. H., February 7, 1836. Throughotit girlhood she made 
her home in New England, where she received fair educational advantages. 
Her marriage was solemnized May 5, 1859, and resulted in the birth of 
four children: Walter D., born February 11, 1860; Grace L., October 15, 
1863; Jerry M., January 9, 1867; and Channing C, December 20, 1874. 
After the death of her husband Mrs. Mansfield removed to Napa and estab- 
lished a home at No. 423 Fourth street, where she is quietly passing her 
declining years. 



FIENRY MARTIN MEACHAM. 

A native of the east, Henry M. Meacham was born in Sandy Creek, 
Oswego county, N. Y., January 1, 1846, a son of Chauncey and Betsy 
(Thompson) Meacham, both natives of Vermont, who represented old 
American families who had been established in New England for many years. 
About the year 1823 the parents removed from their native state to New 
York and in Oswego county began farming and continued with success until 
the death of Mr. Meacham in 1877. He was survived by his widow, who 
passed away in 1882. They left three children, William, Harriett and 
Henry M. 

Henry M. Meacham attended the public schools in his native county and 
completed his studies in Pulaski Academy, where he was graduated in 1866, 
after taking an eight years' course. His school days over, he accepted a 
position as a clerk for the firm of Jones & Company, in Pulaski ; and after 
an experience of two years he embarked in business for himself as a dealer 
in drygoods, continuing for two years. In 1870 he went to Syracuse, N. Y., 
and accepted a position as traveling salesman for the drygoods house of 
Atwell & Hubbard, and after he had been with that firm five years he re- 
signed and went to Meadville, Pa., where he went to regain his health, 
and where he remained three years. This change did not benefit him as 
much as he wished and in 1878 he decided to come to California, hoping 



HISTORY OF SOL WO WD NAPA COUNTIES 1011 

thereby to more readily recuperate in the less rigorous climate of the Pacific 

coast.' He soon found himself In St. Helena, Napa county, and from 1878 
until 1887 was engaged in farm work and viticulture, gaining greatly in 
health and becoming familiar with the grape and wine Industry. 

In the fall of 1887 Mr. Meacham was appointed by the board of super 

»rs to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term of county assessor, the incum 
Lent. John Kean. having vacated the office. So efficient was Mr. Meacham 
that at the next general election he was urged by his friends to accept the 
nomination and was elected for the lull term. He succeeded himself at 
each succeeding election and was returned by the citizens of the county, who 
had implicit faith in his integrity and capability in the conduct of the office. 
For twenty years we find him an incumbent of that office and during that 
time no man became more familiar with land values throughout the entire 
county than Mr. Meacham. Only twice did he have opposing candidates 
at the polls, and then his large majorities were proof of the confidence 
imposed in him by his friends in both parties. 

In 1905 he was elected president of the J. II. Goodman & Co. Hank 
of Napa and has served in that capacity ever since. He retired from the 
office of county assessor in 1907. and has since devoted his entire time t" 
the banking business, in which he has given eminent satisfaction. He is 
a director in the Xapa City Water Company. 

July 6. 1869, in Meadville. Pa.. Mr. Meacham wedded Miss Mary E. 
Cullum.' a native of Meadville and a daughter of Horace Cullum, manu- 
facturer of barrels. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Meacham two children 
were born who reached maturity. Etta S. and Charles. In fraternal circles 
Mr. Meacham is well known and is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chap- 
ter and Commandery in Xapa. and of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks. Since he made his home in the west he has become strictly a west- 
ern man and has identified himself with all movements that have had for 
their object the betterment of conditions throughout the county; and his 
judgment once expressed, carries weight on whatever subject it may be 
rendered. He and his wife have surrounded themselves with a host of friends 
who admire them for their many good traits of character and their sterling 
worth as neighbors and citizens. 



FRAXCIS A. WILKIXSOX. 

Manv vears ago a minister in the Methodist Episcopal denomination. 
obliged to resign his charge in Michigan owing to ill health, resolved to seek 
a more genial and healthful climate. In those days the railroads had not 
spanned the continent and eliminated distances, hut extended only through 
a comparatively small portion of the country. This circumstance led him 
to make the trip in a "prairie schooner." in which was placed a cot for his 
use. A halt was made in the southeastern part of Nebraska, where tin dry, 
warm climate soon brought renewed strength to the invalid, who was further 
benefited by the outdoor work demanded by his agricultural activities. 

It was' while this minister and his wife, who bore the name of Sarah 
(Hathawav) Wilkinson, were making their home in Seward county. Neb., 
that a son, Francis A., was born. May 31. 1873. and he remained with tl 
there and in Xemaha county. Kans.. until he was ready to go his own way 
in the world. Before he was old enough to enter land, his father aided 
him by paying the necessary fees and doing the other work connected with 
the securing of government acreage. The Cherokee Strip, to be opened in 
Oklahoma, was known to be a rich section containing all the essentials 
for successful farming. Father and son went to Oklahoma and remained 



1012 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



in line for two days and nights until the run was made at 1 :30 p. m. on the 
31st of September, 1889. During the long wait they had to pay ten cents a 
cup for water. Water had to be bought for their horses also. 

After making a run of seven miles in twenty-four minutes on horse- 
back Mr. Wilkinson secured a claim that proved to be excellent land. The 
best claims were taken within a few hours, and in a few days no land was 
left but some almost worthless tracts in distant places. 

For five years the young claimant remained on his homestead, making 
desirable improvements. He secured a patent by paying the government 
price and eventually sold out at a fair profit. While living on the farm, 
in 1896 he married Miss Anna J. Bell, who was born in Indiana, a daughter 
of Benjamin and Eliza J. Bell. Mr. Bell brought his family to the Choctaw 
Nation and later to Cherokee Strip. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson are the pa- 
rents of one son, LeRoy. They first visited California in 1909, but after 
eight months returned to Kansas and in September, 1910, came back to 
the west as permanent settlers, locating near Dixon. In politics Mr. Wil- 
in choosing an occupation. 



WILLIAM CARROL DARDEN. 

The early experiences of William C. Darden cluster around Springfield, 
Sangamon county, 111., where he was born August 11, 1830. There he 
attended school and was an interested spectator of the city's growth for 
twenty years. He remembers the first state house that was built, about 
1836, when the population of that now flourishing city numbered only about 
two thousand people. He was the son of John J. and Rosie Elizabeth 
(Goodman) Darden, natives of North Carolina. The former was a farmer, 
as was his father also, and William C. Darden followed in their footsteps 
in chosing an occupation. 

In 1849 William C. Darden moved with his father to Jasper county, 
Mo., remaining there three years, when he went to Keokuk county, Iowa, 
and farmed three years. It was in 1864 that he came across the plains to 
California, making the journey in a horse-team train, coming by way of 
the Great Salt Lake, and taking the southern route by Donner Lake, the 
spot where the Donner party perished being plainly indicated by the stumps 
of trees. They then came to Sacramento and on to Bennett's valley, where 
they arrived on the anniversary of his wife's birth. For three years they 
lived in Santa Rosa, Sonoma county, and then moved to Berryessa, where, 
in 1867. Mr. Darden bought fifty-two acres of land. About ten acres of 
the tract is in fruit trees. When the present owner bought the land it was 
wild and uncultivated, never having been plowed, but he took hold of things 
with a strong determination and very soon had a home built and some sub- 
stantial improvements made. The first grain crop from Berryessa valley 
was reaped on this land in 1868. There are some almond trees planted and 
the balance of the land is used for hay and pasture. In front of the house 
there is a large pine tree, measuring three feet in diameter at the ground 
and rising to a height of eighty feet. This tree was planted by Mr. and 
Mrs. Darden and is a land mark in this section of the country. 

In 1856 the marriage of Mr. Darden and Susan Gill was celebrated in 
Keokuk county, Iowa, the latter being a native of that state. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Darden one son, Mitchell J., was born. He married Emma Haines 
and three children were born to them, Ralph E., Harvey L. and William 
C, Jr. Politically Mr. Darden believes in voting for the best man and 
follows also the teachings and tenets of the Prohibition party. He and 
his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Although advanced in 



HISTORY OF SOLANO WD NAPA COUNTIES 1013 

years Mr. Darden is active with mentality alert and keen. His success in 
life is due to his own unaided efforts and lie lias enjoyed a goodly measure 
i>t' popularity among the inhabitants of the different localities in which he 

has resided. He and his wife are today the oldesl Settlers living in I'.erry- 
essa valley, with the exception of Mrs. Mary Sweitzer of Monticello. Com- 
ing into the valley in the same year in which Reuben and Alonzo Clark 
appeared there. Mr. Darden has seen the locality changed from the wild 

state of plain and forest to grain fields and orchards of wonderful richness 
and productiveness. 

LLEWELLYN T. BROCK. 

The first twenty years in the life of Llewellyn T. Brock were passed 
uneventfully in the home of his parent- at Vacavillc. where he was horn 
March 6, 1859. He received a common school education, supplemented by 
a thorough course of study in a commercial college. Upon entering the 
ranks of the wage earners he took a position with the Chandler Lumber 
Company as manager of their lumber yard at Madison. There he was 
emploved three years, proving his worth and gaining a thorough knowledge 
^\ the business. However, deciding for agriculture as againsl commercial 
pursuits, he turned his attention to farming and has since followed it in 
some of its branches. During October. 1895, he came to Solano county 
and bought the farm which he has since transformed into a profitable fruit 
orchard, having converted the entire tract into an orchard, one-fourth apri- 
cots and three-fourths peaches. The returns for 1910 showed twelve tens 
of dried apricots and twenty-eight tons of dried peaches. Every detail of 
Mr. Brock's business is planned with care and executed with precision. 
The management of the farm shows the employment of a keen mind, in- 
dustrious hands and a willing spirit. 

Upon establishing a home of his own. Mr. Brock married Martha Caroline 
Hall, a native of Yolo county. Their wedding was celebrated at Madison 
in 1883. They are the parents of five children, namely: Thomas II.. man- 
ager of the Chandler Lumber Company at Esparto; Frank E., of San Fran- 
cisco; Llewellyn. Jr.. at home; Shelby I., wife of J. H. Devine, a civil en- 
gineer residing in Oakland; and Margery M.. who is attending the Winters 
high school. It has been the ambition of Mr. Brock to give his children 
tile best advantages his means would permit, and accordingly he sent all 
of them through the common schools, later giving them such opportunity 
for higher education as they have desired. He has served as clerk of the 
board of trustees of the Wolfskill district. Fraternally he holds member- 
ship in Buckeye Lodge No. 195. F. and A. M.. at Winters, and in the Win- 
ters organization of the Woodmen of the World. 



GEORGE W. LOXG. 

A native son of California. George W. Long was born on the old Long 
homestead, near Vacaville, September 3, 1865. a son of William B. and 
Timaranda (Lewis) Long, pioneers in Solano, who are fully represented in 
the sketch of Miss Minnie Long. George W. was educated in public schooL 
and at Vacaville. but early went to work in the stock business with his 
father. Later he turned his attention to horticulture. In 1903 he located 
on his residence farm, where he is succeeding well with general farming. 
He owns one hundred and sixty-seven acres three miles from Vacaville. 

In Caroline. S. Dak.. Mr. Long married Mrs. Ida Hughes, a native of 
Missouri. He was made a master Mason in Vacaville Lodge No. 134. I". 



1014 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



and A. M. In politics he is a Democrat, and in the public affairs of his 
community takes a deep and helpful interest, being always ready to assist 
any movement that has for its object the enhancement of the fortunes of 
any considerable number of his fellow citizens. In ,his native public spirit 
he reflects that of his enterprising father, William Buck Long. 



ALBERT SIMS BIRD. 

As a member of an old family of California, whose pioneer identifica- 
tion with the history of Solano county finds expression in the name given 
to Bird's Landing, Albert Sims Bird is worthily carrying forward the en- 
terprises with which he is associated, and by industrious, intelligent appli- 
cation adds lustre to an honored family name. A native of the county where 
his life thus far has been spent, he was born at Bird's Landing October 12, 
1873, and received a common school education in his home neighborhood, 
later having the advantage of a course of study in a business college at San 
Francisco, where he remained until he had acquired a mastery of commercial 
principles. Since then he has devoted his attention largely to horticulture, 
in this matter following the trend of modern activities, which develops 
orchards and alfalfa fields on ranches once given wholly to the cultivation 
of wheat and barley. 

Albert S. Bird is a son of John Bird, the founder of Bird's Landing, 
Solano county, who is represented in another part of this work. In Fair- 
field, in 1900, he married Miss Carrie Wells, a native of that place. They 
have two daughters, Helen and Ruth, both pupils in the public schools. 

Mr. Bird's home farm, near Winters, comprises fifty-four acres. Of 
this land he in 1894 bought forty-four acres for $67.50 per acre, and subse- 
quent increase in land valuations and improvements he has made in orchards, 
have caused it to advance in value until it is now worth $400 an acre at a 
conservative estimate. Ever since he acquired title to the land Mr. Bird 
has devoted it to fruit in an increasing degree. Some of his trees are young 
and scarcely yet in full bearing, while others have reached the age yielding 
the largest returns. Ten acres are planted in apricots, from which in 1910 
he harvested forty-five tons of green fruit. Thirteen acres are in peaches, 
many of the trees being young and not in full bearing, yet in 1910 he sold 
seventy-five tons of green peaches from the orchard. In addition he har- 
vested two tons of almonds from the land planted to that product. While 
he has given his attention chiefly to the development of his fruit farm he 
has not done so to the exclusion of all other interests. Fraternally he is 
associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen 
of the World, and with his wife holds membership in the local lodge of 
Rebekahs. As a Republican, supporting his party in national issues, he 
has always given his influence to the reforms in party management and 
political procedure that he has thought promised the largest good to the 
largest number, and has consistently shunned partisanship in favor of pro- 
gressive citizenship. 



DENNIS LUCEY. 

The environment that surrounded Mr. Lucey's youth in Ireland, where 
he was born in 1859, had its chief characteristic in a depressing poverty 
and a hopeless outlook. Out from that condition his vision turned longingly 
toward the new world, and at the age of twenty-four years, without means 
or friends, he came on the long journey from his native country to the 
shores of the Pacific, where he landed at San Francisco. From there he 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 1015 

traveled to Contra Costa county and secured employment al any occupa 
tion affording an honest livelihood, In was on the 7th of June, 1883, thai 
he arrived in this state, and twelve years later, after a long period of em 
ployment in his first location, he came to Solano county, his present place 
of residence. 

Selecting a favorable location near Winters and investigating property 
in the locality. Dennis Lucey boughl twenty two acres for $90 an acre and 
twelve acres adjoining at $67 an acre. The tract of twenty two acres he 
still owns. During the fourteen years that have elapsed since he bought 
it the land has increased in value until it is now worth more than $400 an 
acre. Thirteen acres are in apricots, the remainder in peaches. The \ u Id 
is large and brings the owner gratifying returns on the present valuation 
of the land, while in addition he has the advantage of the increase in value. 
A- a fruit farmer he is skilled and capable and few men in the county possess 
a wider knowledge than he concerning the best varieties of fruit and their 
adaptability to the climate. 

At the time of his coming to the west Mr. Lucey was unmarried, hut 
later he married, at Yacaville. Miss Kate Kenney, a native of Ireland, but 
a resident of California from early life. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren. Ahigail. Vincent and Daniel. The family hold memhership in the 
Roman Catholic Church and Mr. Lucey has been an earnest and generous 
contrihutor to the support of the same. Politically he is a Democrat. 



PASQUALE G. MARINO. 

The subject of this sketch was horn in Italy November 5, 1873. For 
fourteen years he remained in his native land and then came to the United 
States, landing in New York. In that city and vicinity he continued for 
nine years and then came to California. After six years passed in San 
Francisco he went to Southern California, and was a resident of Los An- 
geles for another six years. In 1906 he came north to Vacaville and bought 
out a cigar store and barber shop, which business he continues, having an 
up-to-date store and the leading business of the kind in the city. He had 
learned the barber's trade in New York City. 

In 1898 Mr. Marino was married to Miss Mary Ferrazzano. a native of 
Italv. Six children were born to this union, five of whom are living: Joseph, 
horn October 29, 1900; Angelo, December 20, 1903; Isabelle, January 14, 
1906; Alfonso. September 4. 1909; and Florence, November 28, 1911. Mr. 
Marino's father died at the age of seventy-two years and his mother is still 
living in Italy. lie has a brother and a sister living in Los Angeles. His 
wife's parents are living in Buenos Ayres, South America. Politically Mr. 
Marino is a Republican and always votes that ticket at hoth state and na- 
tional elections. 



WILLIS L. GRINSTEAD. 

Few men have had more varied experiences than has Willis L. Grin- 
stead. Although not by any means a young man, he has been a resident 
of Solano county for only ten years, but during that period he has established 
himself in local industrial and commercial circles as one whose word and wl 
husiness transactions may be implicitly relied upon. 

Mr. Grinstead was born in Hart county, Ky., May 25, 1837. and until 
1862 lived at the home of his parents, where he received his education and 
much of that basic general knowledge on which he built in after years. 
Coming to California in 1875 he leased Pratt's grant, near Chico, Butte 



1016 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



county, and worked that land for some time. He next located on the Sacra- 
mento river, and from there went to Butte City, Glenn county, where he 
purchased a quarter section of land, paying $1400 for it. For several years 
his land was periodically flooded, thus involving him in financial difficulties, 
and after much persistent but futile effort he sold out at a loss and came 
to Solano county. Nineteen acres of good land represents his present acre- 
age. About one-quarter of this is devoted to apricots, the balance to dif- 
ferent kinds of peaches. In the season 1910 he disposed of three tons of 
dried apricots and nine tons of dried peaches. 

Mr. Grinstead married, in 1858, Miss Lucinda Owen, a native of Ken- 
tucky, born in 1837, and of this union one son, James Russell, was born. 
The latter, who is engaged in the real estate business in Berkeley, married 
Alice Ford, a native of Missouri, and four children were born to them. 
Politically Mr. Grinstead is a Democrat and religiously a member of the 
Christian Church. 



FRANK E. BAILARD, JR. 

The gentleman whose name introduces this article bears the name of 
his father, who was born in Holland, December 18, 1845, and was brought 
to the United States by the family in 1849, when he was not quite four 
years old. Hence his memories of his native country were vague and indis- 
tinct. As a boy he attended the public schools at Palmyra, Wayne county, 
N. Y., where later he became identified with the routine of farm work. 
When only a boy of fifteen he eagerly offered his services to the Union 
cause, at the very opening of the Civil war, and was accepted as a private 
in a New York regiment of infantry, under General Hancock, and in the 
course of the war he participated in many engagements of importance. The 
famous siege of Vicksburg was one of the memorable campaigns in which 
he participated. At the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded in the leg, 
and he afterward fell into the hands of Confederate soldiers, by whom he 
was taken to Andersonville. For eighteen months he languished in that 
dark and terrible prison, but was finally exchanged and honorably discharged. 

After the war the young soldier returned to New York, where he farmed 
until his removal to California. While still living in the east he married 
Miss Sarah Goldsmith, who was born in the Empire state and remained 
there till after her marriage. Twelve children were born of their union, 
namely : George L., a farmer in Lake county, who married Henrietta Stan- 
ley; Allen, who resides in Glenn county; Louis E., a farmer at Suisun; F. 
E., Jr., whose name introduces this sketch ; Gilbert, who married Lucile 
Creba and resides in San Francisco ; Fern, deceased ; Charles, who resides 
near Winters; Winfield S., of Suisun; Maynard, who resides in Vacaville; 
Chester, of Suisun; Emma F., Mrs. Turner of Suisun; Sadie M., Mrs. Bucker, 
of Fairfield. After the family had settled upon a ranch in Solano county 
and had become identified with the interests of the Suisun valley, its mem- 
bers became popular through their possession of admirable traits of char- 
acter, and the parents now enjoy their declining years in the midst of a 
large circle of relatives and friends, with an income sufficient for their modest 
needs. At the home ranch in the Suisun valley, F. E., Jr., was born De- 
cember 25, 1877, and in neighboring schools he received his education. 
In this locality he met and married Miss Hattie M. Emrick and they have 
three daughters, Esther, Jessie and Bertha. 

Identified with property interests near Winters, Mr. Bailard has a home- 
stead of nineteen and one-quarter acres, of which three acres are in almonds, 
four acres in grapes and the balance in general farm products. Through a 
recent sale he received $6,366 for a tract of improved land which brought 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUNTIES 1017 

$300 an acre As a fruit farmer he is skilled ami resourceful and under bis 
able management his small place produces a mat income, Religious move 
ments receive Mr. Bailard's sympathetic support and he has been actively 
identified with tin- work <>t' the Methodist Episcopal Church. In national 

elections he supports the Republican ticket. 



HARRY G. TOYXTnX. 

Within the limits of the beautiful ami fertile Green valley lies the large 
farm owned by Mr. Toynton. While he came to this place as early as 1896 
upon his removal to Solano county, it was only as a renter, and not until 
1904 did he accumulate the means necessary for the purchase of the property. 
Quite early he foresaw the importance of the fruit industry. Without les- 
sening his interest in the raising of cattle and horses he turned some of 
the grain land into an orchard and now has ten acres in cherries, a similar 
amount in peaches, two acres in apricots and a large vineyard. 

Born in England in 1856. Harry G. Toynton was a descendant of an 
ancient family of that country and his mother died there at the age of 
thirty-one years. His father, who was horn in 1829. spent all of his early 
life in England, hut during the year 1869 brought his family to the new 
world, settling in Wisconsin when the son. Harry G.. was a lad of thirteen 
years. There he developed a farm, became the owner of considerable prop- 
erty and remained until his death in 1908. Primarily educated in English 
schools. Harry G. Toynton was sent to the country schools of Wisconsin 
for a few years and then began to work for his father on the home farm. 
During 1873 he came alone to California and secured work on a stock ranch, 
where he remained for two years. Upon his return to Wisconsin in 1875 
he began to work at butchering, but in 1877 he came back to California 
and entered the employ of the same rancher with whom he had been in 
his previous residence in the state. Leaving that position in 1880. he went 
to San Joaquin county and engaged in farming. He continued there for 
some time, but at the time of his marriage in 1888 he secured work as a 
foreman with a lumber company in Stockton and established a home in that 
city. There he remained until his removal to Solano county eight years later. 

Before her marriage Mrs. Toynton was Mary Eichner, and she shares 
with her husband in his devotion to the commonwealth of which she is a 
native. Politically he is a Democrat. During 1902 he returned to Wis- 
consin to visit his father, and while he found pleasure in renewing the asso- 
ciations of youth he returned to California more ardent than ever in his 
championship of the west and in his faith in its possibilities. 



CARL HANSEN. 

Before coming to Solano county and settling on the place he now calls 
home Mr. Hansen went through many experiences. It is safe to say that 
he has never been happier than at present, fur open air and an out-door life 
have done so much for him that he i- an ardent "booster" for Solano county. 
He believes the future of this region will include much of tin- wonderful. 
Horn near Yarde. Jylland, Denmark. September 18, 1864. he attended public 
school from the age of six till he was fourteen years old. and during that 
time profited industriously by the splendid educational system of his native 
country. In 1886 he came to the United States and in Iowa farmed suc- 
cessfully for about a year. Going to Wyoming at the end of this time, he 
entered the service of the Union Pacific road in 1SS7 as fireman. After some 
years of earnest application to his duties he was promoted to be a locomotive 



1018 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



engineer, running between Laramie and Cheyenne and Rawlins, having 
withal a fortunate experience. 

Mr. Hansen came to Solano county in 1900, in which year he pur- 
chased ten acres of uncultivated land that he set out to orchard. Three 
years later he bought another ten acres, and now he has twenty acres in 
orchard, ten acres in peaches and ten acres in apricots. In the season he 
disposed of thirteen and one-half tons of dried peaches, and six and one- 
half tons of dried apricots. 

In Laramie, Wyo., Mr. Hansen married Anna Holt, a native of Aarhus 
Denmark, who bore him two children, Paul and Arthur, who are attending 
public school. Mr. Hansen is a school trustee for the Wolfskill district. He 
is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Danish Brotherhood. His wife 
is a member of the Danish Sisterhood. 



RUDOLF GUSTAFSON. 

One noting the thrifty appearance of the ranch owned and occupied 
by Rudolf Gustafson. of Winters, would conclude that he had been a 
rancher all his life, but inquiry would develop the fact that farming is one 
of his latter-day accomplishments, for it dates only from the year 1907. 
Born in Sweden, February 17, 1878, he spent the first fourteen years of his 
life in the family home, acquiring a practical school education. Then he 
served an apprenticeship to his trade, that of spinner in woollen mills. On 
coming to the United States in 1900 he went to Massachusetts and found 
employment in one of the large woollen factories, folloAving his trade four 
years. Subsequently he worked in a restaurant, and later, in 1907, came to 
California. During that year he located in Solano county, purchasing twenty- 
five acres of land at $250 an acre. Three acres are devoted to apricots, the 
remainder to peaches of various kinds. From this splendid fruit farm the 
owner receives a good harvest for his labor. In 1910 he sold one and one- 
half tons of dried apricots and eleven tons of dried peaches, proving that 
a small place properly worked will yield good results. 

Mr. Gustafson married Amelia Rimpel, and she has borne him three 
children, Adolph, Carl and Ethel Victoria. Politically he is a supporter 
of Republican principles. 



WILLIAM McNEILL. 

In the establishment of the McNeill orchard in Solano county, the 
owner undoubtedly proved himself to be a man of great courage and in- 
domitable will, as well as the possessor of great executive ability. These 
inherent qualities, together with the exercise of powers of individuality, are 
the stamp the world over of the race of people whose home is a certain 
famous small island off the west coast of England. William McNeill was 
born near Belfast, Ireland, famed for its ship building yards, in 1860. He 
left his island home at the age of eighteen years to come to America, locat- 
ing in Canada. Here the young man settled and for three years followed 
farming, during this period accumulating knowledge that has since stood 
him in good stead. His next move was across the line separating Canada 
from the United States, into Michigan, where for seven years he was a 
lumberman. Then, longing to return to ranch life, he came to California in 
1891 and settled in Solano county. 

Mr. McNeill married, in Dixon, Solano county, Miss Lily Hahn, a 
native of Germany, and one child, William, was born to them. After com- 
ing to Solano county he farmed successfully. He purchased twenty-three 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA COUN lllS 1019 

acres of land, raw and uncultivated, on a portion of which he sel out fruit 
trees with his own hands. Todaj he lias three hundred apricot, six hun 
dred almond and eight hundred poach trees, all in good bearing condition, 
During the season of 1 () 10 he received from his orchard five tons of apricots 
(dried), two tons of almonds, and six tons of peaches (dried). Politically 
he is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. McNeill enjoj a splendid measure of 
success that has come to them because <>i their persistence in the Face of 
difficulties. 



ROBERT E. BAKER. 

Descended from old southern ancestry. Robert 1". Baker was born in 
Callaway county, Mo., December 1". 1859, and received his education in 
schools near his boyhood home. At the age of twenty-two years he left 
home, parents and friends and came to California, where a brother-in-law 
had promised him work on a ranch in Solano county. It thus came about 
that he settled in this county, and here or in Yolo county he has since lived. 
He worked four years for wages and at the expiration of that time went 
back to Missouri to visit the old home. On his return to California he and 
his brother-in-law rented twelve hundred acres known as the "Ned" Wolf'- 
skill ranch. With a lease of three years they at once began the cultivation 
of the land. Mr. Baker establishing a "bachelor's hall" in a little cabin on 
the land. When the lease expired the owner took back the ranch, wishing 
to cultivate it himself. The enterprise had been profitable to the tenants, 
who had cleared $7,000 through their labors on the land in 1887, 1888 and 1889. 

After another visit east, Mr. Baker spent the winter with his brother- 
in-law and then bought an interest in the mercantile establishment of T. II. 
Finley. at Winters. The firm of Finley & Baker carried on a growing busi- 
ness and built up a trade that extended throughout the country in every 
direction. The partnership continued for eighteen years and then was dis- 
solved only on account of Mr. Baker's impaired health, which enforced upon 
him a change of occupation. In 1893 he married Miss Bettie Wolfe and 
their wedding tour took the young couple to the World's Fair in Chicago. 
During their trip east they visited his parents and the parents of Mrs. Baker. 
They have two children, Robert C. and Elva. who are students in the Win- 
ters public schools. The family holds membership with the Winters Chris- 
tian Church, and Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been leading workers in that 
congregation. For twenty-one years or more Mr. Baker has been identified 
with the Knights of Pythias and during a part of the time has served offi- 
cially in the Winters Lodge. Politically he is a Democrat. 

Since purchasing the fruit farm of twenty acres, about a mile south 
of Winters, known as the William Mears tract, in October, 1908, Mr. Baker 
has given his attention to horticulture. On his farm are four hundred and 
fifty apricot trees, three hundred and fifty almond trees, three hundred peach 
trees, and some fig and French walnut trees. In 1910 he harvested thirty- 
one tons of green apricots from the orchard; his peach trees, all of which 
are young, produced fruit that dried to one and three-fourths tons; and he 
sold three tons of almonds and a small crop of walnuts. 



JOHN OSCAR DANIELSOX. 

Born in Smoland. Sweden, January 17, 1872, Mr. Danielson came, at the 
age of fourteen years to the United States, settling in McPherson county. 
Kans. After a residence in that county of two years he came to Solano 
county, Cal.. and remained five years, then went back to Kansas ami Okla- 



1020 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



homa, where he spent one winter. Returning to California about twenty- 
years ago, he worked five years in Suisun, then went again to Oklahoma, 
to take up homestead land. On investigation he found that the title to the 
land he wanted was not good, so he returned to California, this time locating 
rn Los Angeles. From Los Angeles he went to Merced county, via Ventura 
county, and spent one year there. Failing health caused him once again to 
locate in Suisun and from there he went to Vacaville. For five years he 
carried on farming on leased land. 

Mr. Danielson and his brother Charles leased the J. W. Hawkins ranch 
of two hundred and thirty-five acres. Of this, one hundred and thirty-five 
acres were planted in orchard, prunes, peaches, pears, apricots and other 
fruits being cultivated. This ranch they farmed about two years. Some 
eight years ago Mr. Danielson bought the Harvey George ranch of fifty- 
five acres for $3,000. Today this same place could be sold for $7,000. From 
the twenty acres of vineyard Mr. Danielson gathered one hundred tons of 
grapes in 1909. A large section of the place he has devoted to the cultiva- 
tion of alfalfa, which yields a good crop. The remainder of the ranch he 
sets apart for barley and pasture. Politically Mr. Danielson is a Republican 
and fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of 
the World. He is a communicant of the Baptist Church. 

Mr. Danielson married Miss Dora Woods of Elmira, Cal., in 1901. The 
following named children have been born to them: John O., Jr., Herbert A. 
and Belva I. Mr. and Mrs. Danielson have many friends who have learned 
to respect them because of their splendid traits of character. 



EDWARD L. FEUDNER. 

On the ranch which he now owns, four miles east of Dixon, Edward 
L. Feudner was born September 7, 1880, and has resided all his life. He 
is at present actively identified with the agricultural industry in his section 
of the state and is looked upon as a successful rancher. Mr. Feudner attended 
the public schools as a boy, after which he took a course in Heald's Business 
College, graduating in 1900. He then engaged in farming on the old home- 
stead. 

Mr. Feudner was married in Santa Rosa in 1906 to Mrs. Lulu (Klink) 
Prestwood, a native of Sonoma. He has four step-children : Sydney, Gladys, 
Bernice and Thelma Prestwood. Mrs. Feudner's father, William Henry 
Klink, was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1850, and at the age of eighteen years 
moved with his parents to California, locating in Santa Barbara. Most of 
his life has been spent in Sonoma county. He married Emma Shepherd, 
who was born in Missouri in 1855, and who crossed the plains with her 
parents nine years later. Mr. Feudner is the youngest of eight children of 
Valentine and Catherine (Simma) Feudner, the former born in Germany, 
the latter in Austria. Valentine Feudner came as a young man to California, 
and was one of the early settlers in Tremont township and a successful 
farmer, stockman and dairyman. He died in 1880, his widow in 1904. 

Mr. Feudner has one hundred and sixty acres of land which he has 
improved with a pumping plant, a large portion of which he devotes to the 
cultivation of alfalfa, from which he receives good returns, as the soil is 
very rich. He rents 200 acres on which he raises grain and engages in 
dairying and stock raising. In his political affiliation he is a Democrat. He 
is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Order of Red Men. He 
and his family are communicants of the Christian Church and all members 
of his household are well known and highly respected in Dixon and its 
tributary country. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO KND NAPA COUNTI] KLM 

CHAR] ES E. SMITH. 

The firsl six years in the life of Charles E. Smith were spent in Menomi 
nee, Wis., where he was born March 18, 1859, and whence he was taken 
by his parents to Winona, .Minn. Onlj three years were spent by the 
family in that state. In order to secure a more genial climate it moved 
to Iowa, and Mr. Smith bought a farm in Boone county, where the family 
remained five years. There Charles E. Smith was senl to country schools 
until he had gained sufficient education for the demands of ordinary affair-. 
Since then by self culture he has added to his store of knowledge and be 
come a well-informed man. As early as 1874 he became a resident of South 
Dakota, settling on raw land near Canton, the county seat of Lincoln county. 
Upon starting out in the world for himself lie went to Charles Mix county, 
S. I)., in 1879. and later proved up on a claim there, making it his home for 
twelve years, meanwhile transforming an unattractive, unimproved tract into 
a neat and productive ranch. 

With the hope i^i finding a climate less rigorous than that of South 
Dakota, whose long winters and destructive summer winds made agriculture 
difficult. Mr. Smith came to California in 1804 and bought twelve acres in 
Solano county at $125 an acre. The small purchase consumed a large por- 
tion of his savings, hut he was so successful in the cultivation of the land 
that eventually he was aide to add to the property until he now owns an 
orchard of thirty-seven acres. Twenty acres are planted to apricots, two 
acres to almonds, and the remainder of the farm is devoted to the cultiva- 
tion of peaches. During 1910 forty-five tons of dried peaches were sold 
off the place, seventeen tons of dried apricots and one and one-half tons 
of almonds. In addition to his farm property Mr. Smith owns a two-story 
flat building at No. 610 Twenty-first street. Sacramento, also a house of 
four rooms with a large lot at Crockett. Contra Costa comity, hesides his 
residence on Foothill boulevard. Melrose Heights, Oakland. 

Charles E. Smith married at Sioux Falls, S. D.. .Miss Emma J. Ding- 
man, a native of Vermont and a descendant of a family that came across 
the ocean in the Mayflower with the historic pilgrim hand that landed at 
Plymouth Rock. Their only child. Clarence Henry, a graduate of the Oak- 
land Business College, is employed in the state comptroller's office in Sacra- 
mento: his wife was Miss Birdie Henney. In fraternal relations Mr. Smith 
is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of the blue lodge at 
Winters. In their leisure hours he and his wife find pleasure in taking 
their friends out for delightful drives in their five-passenger "Rambler," 
and he has the agency in this locality for that popular automobile, in whose 
merits he has the utmost confidence and whose value he has proved by 
experience. 



LEVI SHERER. 

The trip across the plains during the historic period when "prairie 
-chooners" afforded the only mode of transportation left an indelible impres 
sion upon the minds of the party of which Levi Sherer was a childish mem 
her. The monotony and fatigue of the journey were soon forgotten by the 
emigrants, who, however, never forgot the constant strain caused by threat 
ened attacks by Indians. The Sherer family had started from Iowa, where 
Levi was horn, in Davis county, in May. 1852. The original caravan com- 
prised only eleven wagon-. Oxen and horses were utilized for motive power. 
Other emigrants joined the party during the first few days out and finally 
the train had increased until it numbered one hundred wagons, which pro 
ceeded along the route via Forts Kearney and Laramie to Salt Lake City 

47 



1022 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



thence to Red Bluff, Cal., where the emigrants dispersed according to their 
individual plans. 

During the progress of the expedition across the plains they halted at 
the request of a white man until he could bring his Indian wife to join them, 
for his and her own protection. The savages had threatened his life and 
were pursuing him with intent to kill, when, fortunately, the emigrant train 
came his way. Even then the red men followed on horseback and gave 
every evidence of being on the warpath. It became necessary to leave two 
wagons behind. One of these the savages burned, the other they plundered. 
The danger did not lessen until the mountains and the desert were left 
behind and the beautiful valleys of California appeared in view. It was 
during October that the journey ended and the weary emigrants had an 
•opportunity to rest. 

For years before coming to the west David Sherer, who was born in 
North Carolina, had farmed in Illinois and Iowa, and after taking up his 
residence in California he resumed agricultural operations. He died in Yolo 
county in 1875, having survived his wife about ten years. The mother, 
Elizabeth Swischer, also was born in North Carolina. She went to Illinois 
with her parents when a child. There were nine children in the family, 
the only daughter being Elizabeth (Mrs. Andrew Glassburner), who became 
the mother of ten children, five of whom are living. Three of the sons in 
the Sherer family are deceased, namely : Jacob ; Daniel, who married Susanna 
Goodner and left one daughter, Alice N. ; and Hardy H., who enlisted in the 
Union army after the opening of the Civil war and served as a private in 
an Illinois regiment until 1866, when he was honorably discharged. He had 
six children, three of whom are dead. The five other sons in the Sherer 
family are Henry, John, David, Noah and Levi. John chose as his wife 
Elizabeth Hathaway, and they are the parents of five children. 

As early as 1887 Levi Sherer purchased three hundred and twenty acres 
of land in Yolo county, for which he paid $14,000 and for twenty years he 
retained possession of the property, selling it in 1907. In 1910 he bought 
the fruit farm near Winters that he now owns and operates. It comprises 
thirty-five acres in Solano county and is a valuable property. Only four 
head of stock are kept on the place, less attention being devoted to farming 
than to horticulture. There are two hundred and eighty apricot trees, from 
which last year Mr. Sherer sold three tons of dried fruit. The peach orchard 
of one thousand trees contains three different varieties, all choice and select. 
The last crop brought more than eight tons of dried peaches. In addition 
there are about twenty almond trees, also a number of orange,, prune and 
plum trees, the whole forming an orchard of great productiveness and at- 
tractive variety. Mr. Sherer, while not long identified with this vicinity, is 
proving his resourcefulness as a fruit farmer and is eminently worthy of 
the success that undoubtedly waits on his labors. Though not active in 
politics he stanchly adheres to Democratic principles. He was made a 
Mason in Buckeye Lodge No. 195, F. & A. M. at Winters. 



PETER H. JOHNSON. 

The first twenty-four years in the life of P. H. Johnson were passed un- 
eventfully in Denmark, where he was born, in Shetland, October 28, 1845, 
and where he received a common school education. With a desire to better 
his condition he came to the United States and was for a time employed 
near Des Moines, Iowa, where he made his home fifteen years. Meanwhile 
he saved his earnings as a laborer on farms and eventually began to operate 
land for himself. While living in Iowa he married Miss Mary Andersen, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNT IKS 1023 

a native of Jylland, Denmark. They arc the parents oi five sons and three 
daughters, namely: Louis A., who married Fannie Brown and is nov» living 
in Africa; Henry E.; Alfred; Augusl T. ; John, of San Rafael, having a wife 
ami two children; Catherine (Mrs. Ray Baker, of Winters); Emma and 
Lillie. All of the children were sent to high school and some had normal 
school advantages, while the youngest son had also the privilege of attend- 
ing Lick school at San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are justly proud of 
their sons and daughters, the promotion of whose welfare and happiness IS 
their chief ambition in life. 

The finely unproved fruit farm owned and occupied by Mr. Johnson 

comprises two hundred ami sixty acres, one hall mile east of Winters, in So- 
lano county. The entire tract is under cultivation to fruit, all of the orchard 
having been set OUt by the owner. For the plowing of the orchard and for 
field plowing he owns and uses two Johnson gasoline traction engines, one 
oi thirty and the other of thirty-five horse power. These engines are manu- 
factured by Johnson Brothers at Sunny Yale. Santa Clara county, Cal.. and 
the manufacturers likewise have the distinction of being the inventors of 
the traction engine. The horse-power varies from thirty to sixty, the former 
being able to plow ten acres per da) - . Attached to the traction Mr. Johnson 
has four disc plows, with which he readily turns the soil in orchard and field. 
The engine is also useful for pumping water, for churning, for grinding feed, 
and indeed for any purpose where power is needed. During the year 1910 
Mr. Johnson's home farm produced twenty tons of dried apricots, eighty 
tons of dried peaches and two tons of almonds. Mr. Johnson votes the 
Republican ticket at national elections and the only office he ever consented 
to hold was that of school trustee. 



JOHN JOSEPH JOYCE. 

On the rugged shores of southeastern Ireland lies the little hamlet of 
Kilmore, whose scanty population represents a rugged race of sea-faring men 
and included in past generations many of the name of Joyce. Like other 
portions of county Wexford the vicinity of Kilmore furnished meagre op- 
portunities for earning a livelihood aside from following the sea and it was 
this limitation of labor that led Thomas Joyce, who was born at Kilmore 
in 1845, to seek a home beyond the broad seas in the far western land of 
California. Immediately after his arrival in 1865 he settled in Solano county 
and here he remained until his death in 1893, meanwhile struggling against 
severe odds in the earning of a livelihood for his family, who in his demise 
were left almost without means, but with a large circle of friends to wish 
them a prosperous outcome for their subsequent efforts. 

During the year 1875 Thomas Joyce had married Catherine Hughes, who 
was born in county Mayo, Ireland, in 1855, being a daughter of a humble 
but industrious and capable Irish family. Xine children w r ere born to Thomas 
and Catherine Joyce, but four of these died in early childhood. The eldest 
of those now living, Anastasia, was born September { >. 1877, and received 
common school advantages. September 26, 1894, she became the wife of 
William R. Barrett, to which union were born James T. in 1900 and Clara 
Isabel, February 3, 1906. The second of the surviving members of the 
family. John Joseph, whose name introduces this article, was born at Fair- 
field, Solano county, March 2. 1879. and received a common school educa- 
tion, after which he followed butchering in San Francisco and for a time 
worked in the Swift packing house. For two years he was a member of 
the police force at the cement works, and November 8, 1910, he was elected 
by a large majority to the office of constable of Suisun township, which 



1024 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



position he now fills, meanwhile making his home with his mother in Fair- 
field until her death. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen 
of America and the Improved Order of Red Men. His circle of friends is 
large in the town where almost the whole of his life has been passed. 

The second son in the Joyce family, Thomas A., was born July 16, 1880. 
He formerly held a government position as meat inspector in San Francisco, 
but is now a member of the police force in that city, where he and his wife 
with their only child, a son, make their home. James F. Joyce, born in 
Solano county March 5, 1882, was formerly engaged in railroading, but is 
now a special police in San Francisco. The youngest member of the family 
circle is Clara Isabel, born December 4, 1892, and a graduate of the Fairfield 
high school, now attending Heald's Business College in San Francisco. The 
men of the family are stanch in their allegiance to the Democratic party, 
which the father also supported during his lifetime. After the death of 
her husband Mrs. Joyce had a strenuous struggle to educate her children 
and earn their livelihood, but by keen, capable management she fitted each 
child for the responsibilities of the world and also acquired a neat compe- 
tency for her old age, owning, besides a neat cottage home in Fairfield, a 
number of tracts of unimproved real estate here. About 1902 she bought 
two hundred and ten acres of farm land for $2,000 and this she later sold for 
$5,000, while she also owned four hundred and twenty-eight acres of valuable 
land, on which she had a flock of five hundred sheep. Constant, painstaking 
labor was the secret of her success. Step by step her frugal savings enabled 
her to rise out of poverty into the independence in which her last days were 
passed. Mourned by her children and many friends, she passed away March 
20, 1911. 



HANS TIMM. 

In the person of Hans Timm Ave have another prosperous and sub- 
stantial farmer of Solano county, owner of nine hundred and sixty acres 
of choice land about six miles east of Dixon. The measure of success that 
has attended his efforts in agricultural pursuits has come to him as a result 
of the display of his most conspicuous characteristics, permanency and per- 
severance. Hans Timm was born in Holstein, Germany, November 28, 1831, 
the second of the four children of Peter and Annie (Paul) Timm, descended 
from influential German families. Peter Timm was born in the year 1800, 
and died when his children were small ; the mother died in 1892 at the 
home of our subject. Mr. Timm was reared and educated in his native 
country. In 1850 he served in the Schleswig-Holstein-Danish war. Later 
he emigrated from Hamburg to Hull, England, thence to Liverpool. From 
there he came to New Orleans, where he arrived May 7, 1853, bringing a 
vivid memory of a voyage of 47 days on an old-time sail vessel. From New 
Orleans he came by boat up the Mississippi to Davenport, Iowa, where he 
was employed in brick-making six years. Then, till 1864, he was a farmer. 
In that year he came to California by way of Panama, arriving in San Fran- 
cisco in March. One month later we find him located on his present ranch. 

Mr. Timm married, in 1856. Miss Gretchen Weise, a native of Holstein, 
Germany, who came to New Orleans, La., in 1853 with her parents, and 
thence to Davenport, Iowa. They have reared a family of eight children, 
viz., Peter, who helps to manage the home farm ; Agnes (Mrs. Forck, of 
Pasadena) ; Henry, of Dixon ; Carolina (Mrs. Higgins, of San Francisco) ; 
Cecelia, a member of her father's household; Mary (Mrs. Kirby, of Dixon); 
Charles, who lives near Dixon; and Bertha (Mrs. Faller, of Dutch Flat). 
Two others have died. 

Mr. and Mrs.- Timm have a beautiful home, with a lovely garden and 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 1025 

a lawn that evidences greal care and attention. They are engaged in -ram 
and stock raising and he is breeding Shropshire sheep. They recently cele 
brated their golden wedding anniversary, and it is a notable tact that the} 
have lived in their present home for more than forty six years. Mr. I mini 
was naturalized in Davenport, Iowa, cast his first presidential vote for 
Abraham Lincoln, and has been active in twelve national campaigns. I le 
and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church at Dixon. 



GEORGE W. ABERN ATHIE. 

The prestige of the Abernathie family in Solano county is materially 
strengthened by the painstaking efforts of George \Y. Abernathie, a native 

son born in the Suisun valley March 9, 1869, and for the past few year- vari 
ously identified with the best fruit interests of this section. Mr. Aber- 
nathie has profited by a variety of developing experiences, and with a common 
school education for foundation, at the age of eighteen he left the home 
ranch to embark in railroading. His career on the road was unexpectedly 
terminated at the end of a year through an injury, and after recovery he 
found employment for a time with the Earl Fruit Company, thereafter, and 
up to the present time, engaging in an independent fruit business. 

Linaeus Bolan Abernathie, the best years of whose life were devoted 
to horticulture in Solano county, was born in Union county. 111., February 
IS. 1831, and in 1S52 crossed the plains in an ox train, accompanied by R. 
C. Ilaile. Making settlement in Nevada territory, he first engaged in team- 
ing and later in grist and saw milling and mining. In 1863 he located in 
Napa county, and the following year he bought land in Solano county, upon 
which on a large scale he engaged in cattle raising, and also raised fruit 
and grain. Me established an enviable reputation as a reliable farmer and 
progressive citizen, and his passing from the scene of his various activities, 
December 1. 1903. was profoundly regretted by a host of friends and well 
wishers. Tlis first wife, formerly Eunice Park, died in 1867. leaving a son. 
John T. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Emma McMullen, of which 
"union there were two children, one of whom. George \V.. is above referred 
to, and Bonita. of Berkeley. The second wife dying in 1877. Mr. Aber- 
nathie subsequently married Laura Edwards, who survives him. and who 
is the mother of two children. 

'George W. Abernathie married. November 11. 1902. Neva McLeod, a 
native of Massachusetts, and of the union there are two children. Mario 
Gladden, born February 11. 1905. and Jerome Bolan, born in 1908. Mr. 
Abernathie is a Republican. Giving his time closely to fruit culture, he has 
not had leisure for participation in public affairs or fraternities, and docs 
not hold membership in any social or fraternal organization. 



JOSEPH BROVELLI. 

The Brovelli patronymic would denote Italian origin and this is true, 
for the annals of Lombardi, Italy, state that Joseph Brovelli was born there 
in the year 1878, a son of a wine maker and a man of high standing. From 
his father he learned the wine-manufacturing busine.s> and came to America 
in the year 1895. After his arrival in the eastern states he worked for wages 
for some time in Boston and Medford, Mass. In 1902 he came to Napa 
county. Cal., and settled in St. Helena, work a stone mason first and 

later running a wine and liquor store. In 1909 he began to make wine on 
his leased ranch near St. Helena, which i- now known a- the St. Helena 



1026 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Winery. He manufactures a high grade of red and white wine and caters 
to the wholesale as well as to the retail trade. Last year the output was 
forty-five thousand gallons. The business is in a very flourishing condition 
and is a sign of the industry of the man who owns it. He is a successful 
business man with good prospects for the future. 

Mr. Brovelli was married in Italy to Rosa Brovelli and their children 
are Mary, Josie and Arthur. They are both members of the Roman Catholic 
Church of St. Helena and are favorable to everything that will improve the 
conditions of life in their home town. 



FRED J. MERRIAM. 

The career of Fred J. Merriam is one that is well worthy of note and 
deserves mention in this history of Napa county, for he has stamped himself 
as being one of the eminently progressive workers in this section of the 
state. He is the proprietor of the Chula Vista winery, an active education- 
alist and one who can be counted upon to assist in every measure that has 
for its object the good of the people of the community in which he lives. 
His success in life is not attributable to any inheritance of wealth or to any 
caprice of fortune, for he has worked his way along and won out in the 
face of great difficulties and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. 

Fred J. Merriam was born in Rockland, Me., September 29, 1855, and 
as a young man he worked in the ship-building yards in his native place. 
Later on he went into the mercantile business in the same state and then, 
in 1877, believing that he could better his condition in California, he came 
west and settled in Napa county, on a ranch on which he now lives near 
St. Helena. When he secured the land on coming here it was hay land, but 
he saw that it was capable of developing something more remunerative than 
hay, and accordingly planted a vineyard and ultimately built a winery. 
Today he has thirty-five acres planted in fine resistant vines, and from the 
grapes gathered he makes twenty-five thousand gallons of red and white 
wine each year. The average crop is six tons to the acre. Mr. Merriam has 
been thirty-four years in the wine business and is well acquainted with all 
departments of it. 

On December 15, 1886, Mr. Merriam and Miss Jennie Bennett, a native 
of Ireland, were united in marriage. Two sons were born to them, Arthur 
B. (deceased), and Leslie. For many years Mr. Merriam was a school trus- 
tee for the St. Helena district and in 1900 he took an active part in the 
promotion of a scheme whereby the grammar school of St. Helena was built 
and his name is on the corner stone of the building as one of the promoters 
of the school. In addition to this he is an active member and trustee of the 
Presbyterian Church of St. Helena. 



GRANT T. ROBINSON. 

The United States Government has in its employ a remarkable force 
of men who are known for their sterling qualities. It is safe to say that 
only those of proven worth can long hold a position with "Uncle Sam," 
for he demands the best manhood the states can furnish. Belonging to this 
class is Grant T. Robinson, who has held the important position of rural 
mail carrier since 1904. 

Mr. Robinson was born on his father's (Jonathan M. Robinson) home- 
stead in Vaca valley in 1863, and attended the public schools, applying him- 
self assiduously to the tasks before him. His early years are intimately 
associated with the agricultural industry, for we learn that his first employ- 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 1027 

ment was on a ranch ami thai later on he went i n t . > the fruit raising busi 
ness, working for wages, and at the same time gaining a complete knowl 
edge of it for his future benefit. Tins occupation was continued until hi.s 
present task was undertaken. 

In 1892 Mr. Robinson married Miss Cordelia Williams, a native of 
Mendocino county. They have had four children, of whom three are alive. 
Thomas Carlyle, Lorena C, and John Marshall, all of whom are students 
in the Vacaville public schools. 

Politically Mr. Robinson is a supporter of Republican principles, that 
have so long stood as the bulwark of our nation. A man of geniality of 
disposition, integrity of character and firmness of principle, he is loved and 
respected because of these qualities. 



GOTTLEIB RIEHL. 

The ancestors of Gottleib Riehl had long been closely identified with 
the history and progress of Poland, where he was born in 1846. They had 
occupied positions of trust in civic affairs and were looked up to by all their 
friends and associates. Mr. Riehl lived in the home of his birth until he 
was twelve years of age, receiving the practical instruction from his parents 
so characteristic of the peoples in Eastern Europe. He married Pauline 
Smith and followed farming there until he came to California and located 
in Vacaville in 1893. To Mr. and Mrs. Riehl there were born nine children: 
Gustavo. Adolph, Rudolph. August. Frederic, Rosella, Florence, Mary and 
Emma. The majority of these children are married and settled in good 
homes. 

Mr. Riehl now resides on his son Gustave's place, in the Blue mountains, 
about eleven miles northwest of Vacaville, where fruit raising commands 
his best efforts and richly rewards his labors. Members of Mrs. Riehl's fam- 
ily are connected with the milling business in Russia and are well-to-do, 
employing many workmen in their mills. Mr. Riehl is a communicant of 
the Presbyterian Church, which he attends with some members of his family. 
He is respected and honored by all the people of the circles in which he 
moves, for by persistent industry, often in the face of difficulties, he has 
risen to his present position, and his advancement has not been achieved at 
the expense of his fellow townsmen. He has demonstrated his devotion to 
work and the square deal. 



JOHN BRAZIL. 

The early years of John Brazil were spent in a vcrv hazardous calling 
and included a succession of experiences filled with stirring adventures. He 
was born in St. George's Island, Azores. Portugal, May 3. 1839. His parents 
were not wealthy and he had to shift for himself at an early age. The sea 
presented to him an excellent promise of a livelihood. A sailing vessel 
put into the port where the youth was living. It was short of men and 
its captain offered him a berth. Accordingly young Brazil, then eighteen, 
became one of the crew of the whaler "George and Susan." Whaling is a 
dangerous occupation and Mr. Brazil frequently found himself in perilous 
positions. The whales arc sought in the arctic seas. The flesh of the cap- 
tives is dried and the oil is extracted and put in barrels carried for the pur- 
pose. Before the Civil war the whale oil sold in New Bedford, Mass.. at 
SI. 25 a gallon, but after the war it brought only thirty-five cents a gallon. 

In 1861 Mr. Brazil returned to New Bedford, Mass.. and decided there- 
after to devote his attention to an occupation on land. After two weeks 



1028 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

he left Massachusetts and came to San Francisco, arriving June 3, 1861, 
with only $10 in his pocket. But, with strong determination to do the best 
he could, he set out to the mines in Butte county and remained there and 
in Yuba county five years. Having made some money, he decided to buy 
land and settle down to ranching. Coming to Solano county, he bought 
one hundred and sixty acres for $1,360. where he has made. his home ever 
since. He bought three hundred and twenty acres adjoining and now has 
four hundred and eighty acres, a mile and a half east of Elmira. He has 
been successful with grain and stock. 

In San Francisco, in 1883, Mr. Brazil married Elizabeth Stapleton, a 
native of New Brunswick, and they have one son named John B. Mr. Brazil 
is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Politically he is a Democrat. 
He is a hard working man and has accumulated his property by steady ap- 
plication to business. The family is well respected in the locality and has 
many friends throughout the surrounding country. 



JOHN F. SERPA. 

A well known Rio Vista business man is John F. Serpa, who was born 
April 4, 1857, in Flores. Azores, the son of parents who passed their entire 
lives in that country. At the age of seventeen John F. Serpa came to the 
United States, locating in California. After a residence of five years in Los 
Banos he went to Lodi. and about three and a half years later went to Blue 
Canyon. Placer county. A later removal was to San Francisco and sub- 
sequently he came to Solano county as a farmer and cultivated land for about 
eighteen months, after which for a short time he engaged in the West Indies 
banana business. So far had he progressed in the accumulation of means, 
that he determined to take a rest for eighteen months. This he did and 
later entered the liquor business in Rio Vista, where he is engaged at the 
present time. 

In 1885 Mr. Serpa married Miss Mary Josephs, the first Portuguese 
child born in Rio Vista. He is a member of two orders in Rio Vista, the 
Druids and the Ancient Order of Foresters, being treasurer of both. 



CHARLES M. CHUBB. 

Since the coming of the Pilgrim Fathers there have been many immi- 
grants from England, who have been attracted to America by its wonderful 
resources, its splendid opportunities for advancement, and the national free- 
dom that is the basis of our Constitution. Thus, when there has been a 
harmonizing of the dogged persistence of the Englishman and the vivacious 
energy of the true American, we have seen men and institutions grow and 
flourish. Charles M. Chubb is an Englishman transplanted to the United 
States, who has made a success of his life. Born in 1849, he received an 
education in one of the great public schools of his native land, thus laying 
a sure foundation for his after triumphs. After his graduation from school 
he served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, and on coming to 
America at the age of twenty-two, was well qualified to earn his living. He 
landed at New York and immediately proceeded to Boston, Mass., and took 
up his residence there. He there began as a stair-builder and thus he was 
employed for fourteen years in Boston and in Oakland, Cal. It was in 1875 
that he migrated to California, destined to learn that it was a propitious 
fortune that had impelled him to journey westward. He established his home 
in Yacaville in 1884. and has since lived there. 

In 1873 Mr. Chubb married Miss Mary W. Reddacliff, also a native 



HISTORY OF SOLANo A.ND \ \l' \ C< HJNTIES L029 

of England, born in 1851. The fruitage of their union has been seven chil- 
dren, of whom three have passed away. They were named thus: Charles, 
Jr., deceased ; Mary \Y.. married to Ralph EL Lancaster, now residing in 
Oakland; Lillie, who married W. C. Coburn and died leaving one child; 
Anna, a teacher, living at home with her parents; Susie, who married Louis 
Moore and died in 1911; William K.. who died at the age ol twenty years; 
Florence B., who is Mrs. Marshall of Vacaville. 

Like many other residents of Solano county, Mr. Chubb is a horticul- 
turist and possesses a ranch comprising one hundred and twenty-two acres, 
which is planted to a variety of fruit trees, including cherries, pears, peaches, 
apricots plums and prunes. This orchard is his especial persona] care, and 
he makes certain that all necessary precautions air taken n order that it 
may produce the largest possible returns. 

Mr. Chubb and family are active members of the Baptist Church. Me 
is a quiet and kindly man. ready to lend aid where aid is needed and to 
assist in every way to promote the well being of his fellow citizens. 



FREDERICK AEBI. 

In selecting the occupation of a Qorist for his life work Mr. Aebi chose 
a calling for which he possessed decided natural aptitude. Comparatively 
few attain a high degree of success in this business by reason of the demands 
it makes for peculiar talents. The first essential is a genuine love of flowers. 
The second is practical common sense. Scarcely less necessary is such 
sagacious judgment as leads one to handle plants wisely and with discrim- 
ination. Each variety demands different treatment. Insect pests must be 
conquered, the soil must be renewed, the ground fertilized properly and 
the utmost care exercised in even the smallest details. No one understands 
the intricacies of the industry more thoroughly than does Mr. Aebi. and 
his prosperity has resulted from the exercise of the qualifications requisite 
t< ' the work. 

Descended from a long line of Swiss forefathers. Mr. Aebi was born 
in the canton of Berne. February 1. 1869. and there received a common 
school education as well as the training that forms the foundation of his 
present knowledge of his calling. At the age of eighteen years he came 
t" the United States, landing in New York City, where he secured employ- 
ment in the shop of a florist. Later he traveled from one city to another, 
gaining a fair knowledge of the east while earning a livelihood at his cho^i n 
occupation. Meanwhile he had heard much concerning California and, be- 
lieving its soil and climate well adapted to floral culture, he came to the 
coast in 1893, settling in Berkeley, where since that time he has built up a 
business of large proportions. lie owns a nursery of two acres, all under 
glass and fitted up in a thoroughly up-to-date manner, lie makes a - 
cialty of cut (lowers, the popular demand requiring roses and carnations, 
and in 1910 he sold fifteen hundred plants in addition to the flowers; $40,000 
is given by competent judges as a conservative estimate of the value of his 
Berkeley property. 

Appreciating the necessity for larger ground^ for the starting of nur- 
sery stock. Mr. Aebi came to the Napa valley in 1908 and purchased twenty 
six acres near Rutherford, where now he has planted four acres in different 
varieties of roses. The place cost him $200 an acre, but he feels himself 
entirely justified in the expense, for the climate is healthful, not only for 
human beings, but for plants, and all of his gardens thrive abundantly. 
Four acres of his farm are in alfalfa, five in a vineyard. Three head of 
stock are kept in order to furnish the motor power needed in the can 



1030 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



the land. The entire tract reflects the care and sagacity of the owner and 
proves him to be a master in his specialty. So closely has he given atten- 
tion to the upbuilding of his business that he has had no leisure for asso- 
ciation with fraternities nor for mingling in society. Nor, indeed, has he 
been a participant in politics aside from casting a Republican vote at all 
general elections. In his native land he was reared in the Protestant faith, 
but he has avoided denominationalism and is not identified with any spe- 
cial church. After coming to Berkeley he met and married Miss Anna 
Scheeiber, a native of Vienna, Austria, and they have four children, Fred- 
erick, Francis, Anna and Josephine, to whom will be given all possible 
educational advantages. 



WILLIAM S. PEDRICK. 

The best we can do in life is to use well and wisely the time that we 
have in which to live our lives, making the most of the opportunities that 
come to us day by day, so that the largest development possible may be 
ours. Then when the time of our departure from the scene of life's activities 
comes, we can not have many regrets, for there will be credited to us 
achievements of which we may be proud. A man who is thus making the 
most of his life is William S. Pedrick, an agriculturist and sheep raiser of 
Solano county. 

It was in Devonshire, England, that William S. Pedrick was born, June 
18, 1838. There he learned the trades of plumber and gas fitter. For many 
years he worked at these trades combined and was able to save money. At 
the age of thirty-six years he came to the United States, landing at New 
York. He journeyed by the overland route to San Francisco, Cal., where 
he remained three months. Residential changes brought him to Silveyville, 
where he has since resided, improving a ranch of four hundred and eighty 
acres, on which he raises barley and sheep. Of the former he annually pro- 
duces about two thousand sacks, and of the latter he has two hundred Shrop- 
shires and Merinos. Each season his products increase in value and his 
yearly income from his ranch is steadily growing. 

Mr. Pedrick married Miss Sarah Brinley, a native of London, England, 
born July, 1836. Five sons were born to them, William E., Thomas J., John, 
George A. and Henry S. William E. married Belle Buckley and resides near 
Denverton. Thomas married Ada Banfill and lives near Dixon. George, 
who married Minnie Ackman, resides in Dixon. Henry S. married Mildred 
Berry and is a citizen of Yountville. 

Politically Mr. Pedrick is a Republican and fraternally he is a member 
of the Dixon lodge of Masons, having passed the three degrees abroad. His 
family attend the Episcopal Church. They have the esteem of the whole 
community because they have always made the Golden Rule their rule of life. 



JOHN CASEY. 

As may be judged from the patronymic, John Casey is of Celtic blood, 
having been born in Ireland, in 1844. With characteristic Irish ruggedness 
and industry, he has forged his way to the front and, filling his years with 
thrifty employment, has attained a commendable degree of success. His 
boyhood days were spent in the old country, but when he reached his ma- 
jority he became dissatisfied with conditions there and determined to profit 
by the greater advantages offered in this country. Accordingly he made 
the trans-Atlantic voyage at the age of twenty-five years, landing in New 
York city. He came across the continent on the Union Pacific Railroad via 



HISTORY OF SOL \\<> AND N \r\ COUNTIES 1031 

Salt Lake. This was at the time when the road was under construction, 
and soldiers were required to guard the workmen. From Salt Lake City he 
crossed the plains to the far west, arriving- in Stockton, Cal., in 1869. He 
began ln's California career as a railroad section foreman, lived at Stockton 
seven years, and labored there in the above mentioned capacity five years. 
From Stockton he removed to Oakland, still acting as a section foreman. 
He was thus employed at San Pablo and at Ailtioch, and from Antioch 
went to the San Joaquin valley and entered the service of Furtin & Knox, 
contractors, who completed the railroad from Napa to Santa Rosa, lie then 
came to Dixon where he has since lived, working as a section foreman and 
as under foreman. 

After living in Dixon for five years he purchased a small farm for $2,000 
hut afterwards sold it. While living in Stockton he married Miss Elizabeth 
Xarey. ni Irish birth, who came to America at an early age and has since 
lived in California most of the time. They are the parents of seven children, 
only one of whom, Edward, of San Francisco, survives. 

Mr. Casey and his family are members of the Catholic Church. Politi- 
cally he is affiliated with the Democratic party, being a stanch supporter of 
its principles both at the polls and in his private life. He takes an active part 
in all movements and enterprises for the public welfare and for the good 
of the community. 



SAMUEL DAVID BRISTOW. 

This is the brief history of years well used, those of Samuel David 
Bristow, who is rounding out a life of usefulness spent largely in the service 
of others, in the vicinity of Yacaville. Solano county. Born in Madison ville, 
Hopkins county. Ky., May 16, 1846, he was educated in the public schools 
of Bourbon county, Ky. When but sixteen years old he enlisted in the Con- 
federate army and served four years under General John Morgan. He was 
captured in the Ohio raid and held a prisoner at Camp Douglas till paroled. 
In 1868 he entered Kentucky University and was a student there four years. 
Later he taught school three years and during that time studied law and 
was admitted to the bar. For three years he practiced his profession in 
Kentucky, achieving much success. 

March 6, 1873. Mr. Bristow married Miss Margaret Wolcott of Yates 
county. Xew York, a descendant of Oliver Wolcott. They have had seven 
children, three of wdiom are living. Their son, Bruce T., is an engineer on 
the Southern Pacific Railroad and lives in Bakersfield. Their son Archie 
is an engineer in the employ of the Standard Oil Company and resides in 
Kern county, Cal. Their daughter Mary Anne married Robt. McMath and 
is living near Dixon. Mr. Bristow's father. James H. Bristow, came to 
California and settled in Solano county in 1852. He was one of the pioneers 
of the county and had spent some of his life in Mexico. He died in Ken- 
tucky in 1871. He married Letitia Amelia Calmes, a native of Virginia, born 
May 5. 1816, who lives in Morganfield, Ky. 

Mr. Bristow has been justice of the peace at Vacaville eight years. He 
came to California in June, 1880, with a wife and three small children to 
accept an appointment to the chair of Mathematics and English Literature 
in the California College at Vacaville. For a year he held that position 
and then went to Nevada and taught school there four years; and on his 
return to California in 1886 he was an early settler in Brown's valley, Solano 
county, and one of the first to put out fruit there. He owns a very pro- 
ductive ranch of about sixty acres, part of which is devoted to horticulture. 
one of his fond ambitions being to make a hundred trees grow where none 
grew before. Politically he is a Democrat, true to the principles underlying 



1032 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



his party's tenets. In the peace and tranquillity of Brown's valley he is spend- 
ing his days, happy in the thought that to him has been given the privilege 
of helping to better conditions. 

ANDREW GOOD SUMMERS. 

The genealogy of the American Summers family is traced back to the 
early settlement of Virginia and to prominent colonial residents of that com- 
monwealth, where Andrew and Susan (Walls) Summers spent the early 
years of their useful lives. While they were living near the city of Rich- 
mond a son was born October 12, 1837, to whom was given the father's 
name, and when this child was four years of age the family removed west 
to the then borders of the frontier, settling in Clark county, Mo., where a 
humble home was established in the midst of the wilderness. Schools were 
few and opportunities for an education meager, but the boy had the inesti- 
mable advantage of being reared in a Christian home where honesty and 
piety ruled. Religion was the most important element in the upbuilding 
of the community and the entire surroundings were of such a character as 
to inculcate in a childish heart a love of uprightness. From those humble 
pioneer homes went forth young men and women of dauntless courage, pre- 
pared to face the battle of life with strength of character and determination 
of will, upheld by devoted religious faith and rendered self-reliant by early 
training. 

For a time after attaining man's estate Andrew G. Summers engaged 
in farm pursuits in Missouri. Meantime he became actuated by a desire 
to put his fortunes to the hazard in the great and growing west. When he 
had attained his twenty-seventh year it became possible for him to put his 
purpose into realization and he started across the plains, traveling overland 
with mule teams. During the autumn of 1864 he arrived in Calaveras county 
and two years later came to Solano county, where he at once rented land 
and embarked in ranching on his own responsibility. In the raising of grain 
he met with fair success and by 1874 was able to buy land. During that 
year he purchased from J. C. Merryfield three quarter sections, to which, in 
the fall of 1875, he brought the lady whom he had married April 3, 1873, 
and who had borne the maiden name of Susan Warfield. Husband and wife 
labored together to develop a fine farm. Their attractive and well-appointed 
residence, now occupied by Mrs. Summers, was a source of great pride 
to Mr. Summers during the latter part of his life. Besides erecting one 
of the most beautiful country homes in the county he built commodious 
barns and laid out extensive grounds shaded by ornamental trees. 

Three other quarter-sections of land were subsequently bought adjacent 
to the original homestead of Mr. Summers, and these were improved as the 
occasion demanded. At his death, which occurred July 25, 1890, he owned 
one of the most valuable and productive ranching properties in this section 
of California. His widow still owns nine hundred and sixty acres of fine 
land and maintains the splendid improvements instituted by her husband, 
having two ten-inch wells for the irrigation of alfalfa, keeping in excellent 
repair barns and sheds of sufficient capacity to house all the stock, and occu- 
pying the elegant residence built for her comfort and pleasure by Mr. 
Summers. 

A native of Solano county, Mrs. Summers was a daughter of Martin 
and Martha (Sweany) Warfield. The former left his native place in Ohio 
in 1850 and came west as far as Nevada. Soon after his marriage, in 1852, 
he came to California and settled in Solano county, where he died at an 
advanced age. His wife, a native of Tennessee, remained in Solano county 
until 1898, when she removed to San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Summers 



HISTORY OF SOLANO A.ND NAPA BOUNTIES 1033 

found the greatest happiness of their lives in tlu-ir children and labored 
earnestly for their welfare. Ml are still living excepl one daughter, Jennie. 
The eldest daughter. Martha II.. is the wife of E. II. Foster and the mother 
of four children, George, Summers, Leslie and Grace. The only son in 

the family. John W. Summers, a tanner by occupation, married Mattie 
Cramer and has one son. Roscoe Summers. Nellie G. and Grace are the 
remaining members of the Summers family, the former bring the wife 
of Allen Caven, of Oakland. 

A deep student of Masonry, Mr. Summers was identified with Sil 
ville Lodge No. 201, F. & \.'M.. Dixon Chapter No. 42, R. A. M.. and 
Sacramento Commandery, K. T., and with Eastern Star activities. His 
wife still holds membership with Ivy Chapter, Order of the Eastern Mar. 
at San Francisco. While exhibiting a constant interest in public enterprises, 
Mr. Summers never cared for public offices and took no part in politics 
aside from voting the Democratic ticket. In dealings with others he was 
prompted by a spirit of unselfishness, sincerity, candor and fairness and 
these attractive qualities extended to the most trivial details. Never was 
he known to take undue advantage ^\ another. On the other hand he 
frequently permitted himself to be the loser by reason of his unwilling 
ness to perform any act that might be. even mistakenly, regarded by others 
as an indication of an ungenerous spirit on his part. Charitable and helpful 
without ostentation, he was sagacious and prudent, weighing well the con- 
sequences of each step. His public spirit manifested itself in helpfulness 
to local projects. His regard for the general welfare was frequently demon- 
strated in a conspicuous manner. Not infrequently he took the initiative 
in pushing forward worthy enterprises. A useful citizen, noble man and 
high minded friend, his name deserves a place of prominence in the annals 
of Solano county. 

HIRAM J. RUSSELL. 

The experimental experiences of Hiram J. Russell in various sections 
of the United States terminated with his arrival in Suisun, a few years ago, 
for he is now firmly established in that place and is more than satisfied 
with the outlook on things from that point of view. 

Mr. Russell was born in North Bloomfield. Ohio, in 1858, a son of 
John Quincy Adams Russell, a native of New York, who had taken to wife 
a native of Pennsylvania. The former died at the age of seventy-nine years 
and the latter was sixty-nine years old when she passed away. Neither 
came to California. At the age of four years Hiram J. Russell left his 
native county and went to Bremer county. Iowa, where he remained over 
twenty years'. He was educated in public and high schools and at an early 
age showed a decided taste for things mechanical, and his first occupation 
was at the machinist's trade. Leaving Iowa while in the twenties he went 
to Nebraska and thence came to California. From the latter state he jour- 
neyed to Illinois and then returned to California. It was in 1900 that he 
came to Cordelia. Cal.. in which place he secured employment with Henry 
Goosen. Leaving this work, he went to Vacaville and, after a stay there 
of four years, came to Suisun. Cal. Here he has built himself a fine home 
and is running a machine shop for himself, having conducted the enter- 
prise successfully for the last four years. 

Mr. Russell was married in 1891 to Eunice Evelyn Emerson, a native 
of Indiana, and she has borne him seven children. Harley, born in Ne 
braska, is employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and lives 
with his parents; Claude is employed by the Wells-Fargo Express Com- 
pany. The other surviving ones are Wayne, Edith, Leslie and Dorothy. 



1034 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



Dale died November 5, 1911. Mrs. Russell's parents died when she was 
nine years of age. Politically Mr. Russell is a Republican. He is a Knight 
of Pythias and a Woodman of the World. Always prudent, yet enterprising, 
it is not to be wondered that he has made a success of his life, for he has 
built on firm foundations. He has put his money into real estate, believing 
that to be the best investment. 



LESLIE J. CHRISLER. 

Although not a native of California, Leslie J. Chrisler has passed the 
major portion of his life in this state, for he was only two and one-half years 
old when his parents brought him from Three Rivers, Mich., where he 
was born January 10, 1860. His father died in 1882; his mother is living 
in Solano county. Their children were the subject of this notice and the 
following named: Minnie A., born in 1866, died at the age of thirty-two; 
William Andrew, born August 22, 1869, married Mona Robie and is living, 
as are his three children, in Solano county; Sarah E., born January 21, 1872, 
married John A. Wilson, September 18, 1894, and has six children; Charles 
Diamond, born December 24, 1874, married, October, 1903, Metta Schrosky, 
a native San Franciscan of German origin; Peter S., born May 25, 1877, 
died September 9, 1887; Albert A., born June 8, 1879, married Jessie Schultz 
of Carson, Nev., in May, 1907. Mr. Chrisler's grandparents on his father's 
side were natives of New York and so, too, were his maternal grandparents. 

His youth Mr. Chrisler spent in public schools in Solano county, apply- 
ing himself to the acquisition of the primary education necessary to the 
best use of opportunity. At the age of eighteen years he began to get a 
practical knowledge of the moulder's trade. In 1881 he engaged in the 
insurance business. After his father's death, in 1882, he located permanently 
in Suisun, Cal., where he has since been in public life, and for some time 
he has been deputy county tax collector and deputy sheriff. 

In 1903 Mr. Chrisler married Miss Ellen E. Neitzel, a native daughter 
of Solano county, whose parents are living in the Suisun valley. Mr. Chrisler 
is well known to all in the county. He has always occupied a prominent 
place before the public and is well and widely respected. 



THOMAS F. BELEW. 

That popular and progressive property owner and prosperous rancher 
of Solano county, Thomas F. Belew, possesses many inherent qualities that 
make for man's success in whatever vocation in life. During his experiences 
here he has shown himself to be the possessor of a great heart and of a 
courage that brooks no obstacles. Straight as an arrow-flight he has fol- 
lowed the line of life he has mapped out. He is justly proud of the fact 
that he is a native son of California and counts it no small honor to be 
numbered among the successful descendants of early California pioneers. 
Born in Butte county, August 5, 1864, he came to the place of his present 
abode May 10, 1876. Here he has lived ever since, and his proportionate 
part of the prosperity of this section of the state has come to him during 
this time. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and devotes his 
attention to raising barley and to stock raising. 

In Maine Prairie Mr. Belew married Louisa Brinley, a native of Eng- 
land, born October 4, 1868. Two children she has borne him, Ernest F. 
and Ada B. Mr. Belew's father, Thomas Belew, a native of Maine, settled 
in California and married Bridgett Riley, of Irish birth. Six children were 
born to them, all of whom except Thomas F. and Arthur are dead. Mrs. 



HISTORY OF SOLANO ^ND NAPA O IUNTIES 1035 

I'elcw has one sister. Her father, George Brinley, was born in London, 
England, in 1843 and at the age of twenty-five years came to the United 
States. He died en voyage to China. Mr. and Mrs. Belew arc of good 
social standing. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Dixon. He 
has ably filled the office of constable. 



C \UI. \. TORP. 

In spite of the fact that there is a wonderful similarity between men 
and men. we find that each has some peculiar and individual characteristics 
that stamp him as being" a man different from any other. These charac- 
teristics are often beneath the surface of things, but they crop out in the 
motives that actuate the various changes that come into a man's experiences 
and that chiefly constitute them. In the person ^\ Carl A. Torp, a well 
respected resident ai Suisun. Cal.. we have a man that has stamped his 
individuality upon the community in no unmistakable manner by the life 
that he has lived and by the successes that he has achieved. 

Mr. Torp was born in Denmark in 1861 and for twenty years lived 
in the land of his nativity and there received his education and learned how- 
to make a living. About 1881 he came to America and took up his residence 
in Xew York, where he quickly familiarized himself with the language 
and the customs of the people of the land of his adoption. At the end of 
one year he came to California, settling in Solano county, in which section 
of the state he has ever since made his home. Here he has worked hard 
to accumulate a competency and is in a fair way to success. He is at pres- 
ent employed in the packing house of the J. K. Amesby Company, where 
he has been for the last five years, during which period he has discharged 
his duties as night watchman faithfully and well. 

After a residence of ten years in Solano county Mr. Torp made a trip 
to his native land, where he was married to Miss Josephine Nelsen, of 
Danish parentage and birth, and she has borne him four children : Anina 
A., now teaching school near Elmira, Cal.; Carrie, bookkeeper in the Suisun 
Garage; Charlie, in high school; Gussie. All these children were born in 
Solano county and their upbringing reflects credit upon their parents. The 
parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Torp are deceased. Politically Mr. Tori) is 
a Republican and fraternally he is a member of the Suisun Lodge, I. O. O. F. 
During recent years he has purchased property in Suisun and is doing well. 
He is very loyal to the land in which he has made his home and is respected 
by all who know him. 



DANIEL McCLAXE. 

The name Mr. McClane bears is one of which he may be justly proud, 
for it is the patronymic of his Scottish forefathers, men who have left their 
names upon the history of their country because of the bravery and indomit- 
able spirit they have ever shown in time of danger. 

Dan McClane was born in Scotland in 1816. and early developed a great 
fondness for the sea. At the age of eleven years he left home and took to 
ship and for twenty years spent his life on the bosom of the mighty deep, 
undergoing experiences that few men have and seeing every land and country 
in the world. He has been to Australia, to China, has fought in the Crimean 
war. has been in Russia. On one occasion he was shipwrecked and rescued 
by a man-o'-war, after which he went on to the island of Malta, and re- 
mained there two years. Leaving there he went to England and later went 
to India to assist in the subjugation of the Hindus, remaining there, in the 



1036 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



land of the orient, for two years. From Bombay, India, he came to San 
Francisco, Cal., and obtained employment on the old steamship "Senator." 
After being employed on the coast of California he went to the Caribo 
mines, and there became familiar with mining. Mr. McClane made his first 
visit to Solano county in 1852, during the time of a flood by which thous- 
ands of head of cattle and sheep were lost, and did much to assist the res- 
cuers in their work. In the fall of 1870 he visited the Hayden Hill country 
and remained there until 1910, On one occasion, being a keen business man, 
he traded one hundred head of horses for a ranch and then traded the 
ranch for a hotel and livery business in Hayden Hill, but was eventually 
burned out there and came to Solano county. 

In 1874 Mr. McClane married Mary A. Shepherd, a native of Utah, and 
to them eleven children were born, eight of whom are living, three at Hay- 
den Hill, three at San Mateo, one in Oregon and one in Fairfield, Cal. Mr. 
McClane has enjoyed a prosperous life and has met with much success in 
spite of his nomadic disposition. Although well on in years, he is keen and 
alert, possessing a brain and faculty undimmed by passing years. Having 
come to Solano county in the fifties for a visit he is able to sum up from 
memory much of the progress and advancement that has been made during 
the interim between that time and the present. He is a citizen whom the 
people of the county honor as one whose example of strenuous living and 
business activity may be followed with profit by many of the younger gen- 
eration. 



JULIUS MAGGETTI. 

A native of Switzerland, Julius Maggetti was born in canton Ticino, 
January 14, 1847, and was one of a family of nine children. The parents, 
Paul and Margueretta Maggetti, were united in marriage in Switzerland 
and reared their children in the Roman Catholic faith. Leaving home at 
the age of twenty-six Julius Maggetti finally landed in New York. Find- 
ing that the trend was westward and the prospects for successful farming 
better in a new country, he came to the fertile Napa valley, Cal., reaching 
his destination July 9, 1873. He soon became associated with Captain 
Grigsby, one of the old pioneers in farming and dairying, and in the course 
of a few years, after farming at St. Helena for a time, bought two acres in 
Oakville, which he has under cultivation. Much of his time for the past three 
years, however, has been devoted to his public house. Ever since casting 
his first vote Mr. Maggetti has espoused the Republican principles. He is 
enterprising, broad-minded and genial and has been "a friend in need" to 
many less fortunate. 



CHARLES VOGEL. 

As one of the most practical and successful fruit growers in the vicinity 
of Suisun, Charles Vogel is entitled to mention as one of the sterling up- 
builders of this well favored locality. By steady progress he has advanced 
from the ownership of a small tract of land to that of more than twice his 
original acreage, and by handling his own fruit, picking, preparing and dry- 
ing it for the market, he is making an excellent record from a moderate 
sized orchard. 

Ann Arbor, Mich., was the birthplace and early boyhood home of Mr. 
Vogel. He was born in 1864. As a dutiful son he remained with his parents 
until he became of age ; and when free to choose a field for his labors he 
came to California and has since been a resident of the state. Napa first 
appealed to him as a good location, but after he had worked there as a 



HISTORY OF SOI \\«> VND NAPA COUNTIES 1037 

farm hand for two years a1 $20 a month, on the ranch of M M. Estey, he 

led to investigate conditions across the line in Marin county. One year's 
ex .nonce there preceded his coming to Solano county, where, as he had 
done in the other places mentioned, he worked at first on the ranches ol 
others. \t"ur working for V I.. Reed, near Suisun, for a time, he made 
his tirst purchase of land, consisting of four acres near Rockville. As yel 
none of his experiences bore directly on the business in which he is now 
I, and it was not until 1896 that he purchased the first tract of the 
ranch which lie now owns. This consisted of twenty acres, and to it he 
later added by the purchase of thirty-five acres of adjoining land and in 
l l 'll he bought forty acre- ^\ the old William Pierce tract, which he has 
converted into an orchard of peaches, pears, prunes and cherries. He now 
has ninety-five acre- <>\ as fine fruit land as can he found in Solano county. 
His ranch is equipped with a drier, which enables him to handle his fruit 
from orchard to market, a saving of expense, as well as a means to putting 
the fruit on the market in better condition. Some idea of tin- volume of 

less done on his ranch may he gathered from the statement that in 
1910 he cleared S4.000 from the sale of his fruit. 

The marriage of Mr. Vogel, in 1887. united him with Miss Lena John- 
son, a native "i Sweden, who died in 1903. Six children were horn of this 
marr ; age. and all of them are still under the parental roof. Mr. Vogel's 

nd marriage was to Emma Andres, horn in Ann Arbor, Mich. No 
resident of this community has the interest of the county and state more 
at heart than Mr. Vogel, which fact he demonstrates in the casting of his 
ballot, which is given invariably to the man of the highest moral character, 
irrespective oi the party for which he stands. 



HERMAX W. LYONS. 

Of an old Southern family. Herman W. Lyons has sought and found 

'"ortune in the west. His nativity occurred in Dallishurg. Ky.. June 17. 
1854, and he is a son of John and Martha (Medley) Lyons. Being planta- 
tion owners, they were slaveholders before the Civil war. Mr. Lyons num- 
her< among his forefathers some of the earliest settlers of Virginia, his ma- 
ternal ancestors owning the original site of Jamestown, in that state. In 

' the family moved from the south to Illinois and lived and farmed there 
until 18o4. Tn that year they came across the plains to California, locating 
in Xana valley. They had many startling and thrilling experiences on tins 
and their train met with many heavy losses, finally arriving with hut 
four head of stock, having lost all the rest on the way. suffering from depre- 
dations both hv Indians and Ecdcral troops, the latter foraging for supplies. 
The party came by way of Fort Laramie, and coming through Placerville 
and Sacramento, settled in Xapa valley, where Mr. Lyons has lived ever since. 

Mr. Lyons married a native of Nana. Miss Ida Cain, and of their union 
three children have been born: John C Lottie and Bernice. John and 
Bernice are doing college work and are attaining a high academic standard. 
Lottie married Ed. Stanley and they live at Suisun. having two children. 

In 1883 Mr. Lyon- and his brother, William Lyon-, bought three hun- 
dred acres in Wooden valley, paying a purchase price of $8,000. The bulk 
of this property is devoted to pasture land and to corn raising. He owns 
individually eighty-four acre< and has a twenty-acre vineyard which yielded 
a crop of eight tons per acre in l r >10. Twelve acres of the ranch is planted 
in orchard fruits of various kinds. One year Mr. Lyons sold $2,700 worth 
of grapes. He maintain- on the place eleven head of horses and cows. Mr. 
Lyons is connected with a company which own- twelve hundred and thirty 
48 



1038 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



seven acres of alfalfa land in Yuba county. He has a private ownership 
of thirty-five acres of land in the same county and owns also forty acres 
of good land in Glenn county. 

Politically Mr. Lyons is affiliated with the Republican party, giving 
the platform of that party his stanch and loyal support. For twenty-four 
years he has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
Mrs. Lyons is a member of the Rebekahs and of the Eastern Star Lodge of 
Napa. They enjoy the highest respect and esteem of the community, and 
Mr. Lyons is attended by that measure of financial success which is com- 
mensurate with his superior ability and high integrity. 



JOHN HOHBERGER. 

Born in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, on the 24th of July, 1845, 
John Hohberger passed an uneventful boyhood, working at home or attend- 
ing school according to the season of the year. At the age of twenty-two 
he came to the United States on the old sailing vessel Argonaut, that con- 
sumed fifty-six days in the voyage. Meanwhile the provisions ran short 
and passengers were placed on a strict diet limited to hard tack and tea 
with two spoonfuls of soup. With thankful heart the young immigrant 
first beheld the shores of America and with an energetic spirit he sought 
and found work. During 1870 he went to Baltimore, Md., where for two 
years he worked in a brewery. Thence he went to Connecticut and for two 
years worked as a charcoal burner. Next he tried his luck at farming in 
the east, his location being in Ontario county, N. Y., but the venture did not 
prove satisfactory and he decided to come to the west. In 1876 he crossed 
the continent on the railroad and found employment in San Francisco. 

In the spring of 1877 Mr. Hohberger came to Napa county and secured 
work with William Denning and continued in his employ for a year. Later 
he worked for others at various pursuits, much of his work being in vine- 
yards. For some time he has occupied a farm of fifty-five acres near St. 
Helena and has followed such occupations as are indirectly or directly con- 
nected with agriculture. When in early life he attended the Presbyterian 
Church and since then his sympathies have remained with that denomina- 
tion, although he recognizes the good accomplished by the followers of 
other creeds and maintains no narroAV prejudices in religion. The first vote 
he ever cast for president was in support of Gen. U. S. Grant and from that 
time to the present he has continued to support Republican principles by 
his influence and ballot, but at the same time he has avoided direct partici- 
pation in public affairs, for which indeed he has no inclination. 



JOHN JOE KREUZIER. 

Switzerland was the home of the Kreuzier family for several generations, 
and there, too, John Joe Kreuzier was born. When twenty-nine years old, 
believing that there was more remunerative business in store for him than 
following the occupation of his father, who was a stone cutter, he left his 
native land and came to New York in March, 1882. Not successful in get- 
ting a situation in that city he went to Philadelphia, where he worked in a 
brewery for three years. Gradually, however, he drifted westward to Cali- 
fornia and not far from Napa he was employed for eight years. By carefully 
saving his earnings he was able to buy a ranch, a venture that proved so 
successful that later he bought about five hundred acres in the fertile Coombs 
valley. Besides having thirty acres in orchard, he also raises hay and grain, 



HISTORY OF SOLANO KND NAPA COUNTIES L039 

as well as hogs and sheep, and has from twenty five to thirty cows and one 
thousand chickens. 

While in Philadelphia Mr. Kreuzier married Catharine Hischur, of his 
own nativity, and from this union were born five children: Robert, William, 
Emil. Olga and Alvina, all of whom arc living at home. The famil) attend 
the Catholic Church and Mr. Kreuzier is a Democrat. 



\\ II. 1.1AM II. STANIELS. 

The call for volunteers in the Civil war found its response in the enlist 
merit of thousands of gallant and patriotic young men. who offered their 
services to aid in securing the preservation of the Union and the freedom 

of the Slaves. No one responded with greater enthusiasm and none fought 
with greater bravery than the youth who to his friends was known as 
"Bill" Staniels and who now. a popular resident of the Veterans' Nome in 
Napa county, is still "Mill" to old comrades. Bluff, hearty and open hearted 
now as then, he looks on the sunny side of life and accepts the adversities 
incident to existence with a cheerful optimism that recognizes their necessity 
but defies their terrors. While he has never recovered from disabilities 
caused by the hardships of army service, ill health does not seem possible 
to him, for it is concealed beneath a rugged, stalwart frame and an endless 
fund of good nature. 

Born at Salem. Mass.. October 23, 1S47. Mr. Staniels accompanied mem 
bers of the family to California in 185° and settled in San Francisco, hut 
returned to the east in 1863 for the purpose of enlisting in the Union army. 
From his earliest memories he has been interested in hunting and trapping. 
While yet very young he and a hoy chum ran away from their homes and 
at night hid themselves in a haystack, sleeping with their rifles beside them. 
A peculiar noise awakened them. The night was dark and it was impossible 
to see objects with any distinctness, but they decided that the noise must 
have been made by a bear. Hastily leaving the haystack, they aroused the 
nearest farmers, only to find, when help with lanterns had reached the spot, 
that the noise emanated from the animal kept at the head of the herd of 
cattle. Not long after this event he ran away from home a second time. His 
father gave him a nickel with which to buy some soap, but instead of doing 
as he was told, he took all of his own savings out of his portable hank and 
left, remaining away from home for three years. On his return he carried 
twenty-five cents worth of soap to his father, who received it with the ex- 
clamation. "Well. Bill, it took you a long while to get that soap!" 

I'pon his enlistment as a volunteer in the Civil war Mr. Staniels was 
assigned to Company E, Second Massachusetts Cavalry, and was sent to the 
Shenandoah valley. For two years he took part in all the engagements of 
his command and in 1865, upon the surrender of General Lee, he received an 
honorahle discharge, after which he went hack to San Francisco. There he 
learned the trade of machine harness operator and worked steadily for years 
in the employ of Market street firms, hut the effects of his war service began 
to cause a debility so serious that he was incapacitated for work at his trade. 
'Thereafter he turned his attention to hunting and trapping. March 15, 1907, 
he came to the Home in N'apa county and in the early part of VHY) he was 
appointed keeper of the dam impounding the flood water- for the use of the 
Home. This work he has continued, as well as the task of feeding the trout. 
black bass and catfish kept in the dam. In addition he has had the respon 
sibility of protecting the Nome poultry yard from raids made by wild animals 
that come down from the surrounding hills and prey upon the chickens. That 
he may closely watch the fowls he dwells in a primitive shack, whose interior 



1040 HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 

bears evidence of his prowess as a hunter and his skill as a trapper. From 
this place he roams all over the surrounding country, watching his one hun- 
dred and twenty-four traps that are set for small animals. During the year 
of 1910 he trapped and killed three hundred skunks, two coyotes, eleven 
gray fox, one bear cub and innumerable squirrels, as well as thirty-seven 
bob-cats (American lynx) that are peculiarly destructive in poultry yards. 

On one occasion, when approaching the bridge near the dam, Mr Staniels 
saw a skunk and instantly shot and killed the animal. However, he had not 
perceived the mate of the skunk standing near, but he soon had evidence of 
its proximity. Hastening to the Home quartermaster, Col. J. J. Lyon, he 
asked for another outfit of clothing. The officer directed him to leave at once 
and then he placed the clothing midway to the spot occupied by the perfumed 
hunter, who seized the garments and retired to a thicket in order to make 
the necessary change in his wardrobe. When out hunting one day Mr. 
Staniels had an adventure with a mountain lion, that first chased his dog 
and then himself. As he weighs over two hundred and forty pounds, he 
does not consider himself an adept in running, but having nothing but 
shell shot in his Winchester he considered not the order of his doing, but 
emulated a Marathon runner until he had reached his shack, when he 
slammed the door and remained secluded until the lion had grown weary 
of waiting for his appearance and had left. 

It is known to trappers that the scent of the human body is imparted 
to traps and mars their usefulness for the purpose intended. Wishing to 
free his traps from this deterrent, Mr. Staniels asked General Woodruff, the 
commander, to order a bottle of Labrador fox scent. When the bottle came 
he put it in his pocket and started for his traps. Somewhere along the route 
it began to rain and he took shelter in a ranch house, where he took a chair 
near the fire and began to dry his shoes and clothing. To his utter aston- 
ishment he was soon surrounded by a legion of rats that had been attracted 
by the fox scent. Other amusing experiences have marked his life in the 
west, while he also has had experiences more perilous than amusing. Fond 
of outdoor existence, he is never happier than when with his gun he starts 
on a tramp over the hills in search of game. A contented spirit, a dog and 
a gun, he considers indispensable to happiness, but wealth never had any 
attractions for him and a mansion would pall his simple tastes. The people 
at the Home enjoy the cheerful presence of this interesting personality and 
listen with pleasure to his tales of experiences among the wild animals 
of the hills. 



J. PACHETEAU. 

The enterprising gentleman whose name is the title of this notice is 
probably the largest individual shipper of wine out of California. The 
business has been built up entirely by his unaided efforts and is a splendid 
example of what can be done by a man of energy and constructive ability. 
Mr. Pacheteau is a native of France but lives at Calistoga, Napa county. 
He paid California a visit in 1875 and was so pleased with what he saw 
and the promise of success here along almost any commercial line with the 
further development of the country, that he decided to remain. Engaging 
in business in San Francisco, he remained there twelve years, meanwhile 
conceiving the idea of shipping California wine to New York in large quan- 
tities and establishing stores there for the sale of the shipments. For twenty- 
three years he has been engaged in the wine and restaurant business in 
New York, where he owns two splendidly equipped stores, a fine restaurant 
and a beautiful home. His stores in New York supply over three thousand 
families with the exhilarating products of California vineyards. Seventeen 






HISTORY OF SOI \M> VND NAPA COUNTIES 1041 

re ago he registered the trade mark under which he operates, the "Cab 
fornia Wine Cellar." He sends yearl) to Nem VTork from Napa county 
four thousand barrels of wine, I lu- shipmenl lias run as high as five hun 
dred barrels a month. In his New York stores he sells wines from all over 
the world as well as his California products. 

In 1903 Mr. Pacheteau bought ninety acres of fine ranch land mar Talis 
toga ami here he lives most of the time. He considers the California climate 
unexcelled and is glad to gel awa) from the hustle and hustle of the large 
cities and enjoy his life's twilight amid the tranquillity of the Napa \ alley. 
On his ranch he has erected a fine stone residence, with commodious OU1 
houses and buildings. Twenty five acres of his ranch is in vineyard and 
he buys the entire product of twenty wine cellars in the Napa valley, thus 
aiding the development of the grape industry and insuring employmenl to 
many men. Few citizens have done more for the advancement of the country 
than he has accomplished by his extensive commercial operations, and he is 
held in high esteem by all who know him. 



SAMUEL STRATTON. 

That well known teamster and rancher. Samuel Stratton, of Collins 
ville. Cal., was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, in November, 1858. 
For fifteen years he remained in the country of his birth and then removed 
to the >tate of New York, remaining there five years. But the trend 
of empire was westward, and it is not surprising that many of the youth 
of the early days turned their longing eyes toward the setting sun, and 
traveled thither to acquire experience and wealth in a new land. This is 
what Mr. Stratton did. for we find that he left New York and came to 
California, locating in Collinsville, Solano county. As a young man he 
went to work on a ranch and also did teaming. In all Mr. Stratton now 
farms about seven hundred and twenty acres of land, mostly to grain and 
hay. He also raises sufficient stock for his own purposes. 

The marriage ><i Mr. Stratton took place in 1883. His wife was Martha 
Elizabeth Dryden, a native of Canada. To Mr. and Mrs. Stratton were 
born two sons and two daughters: Samuel Marl is married and resides near 
his father; Amanda G. and Frances Jane live in San Francisco; George 
Dryden also of San Francisco, is employed in a large drug company's offices. 
Mr. Stratum's parents are dead, and he has a brother ami two sisters living 
in Canada. Mrs. Stratton's parents also have passed away. Politically Mr. 
Stratton is a Republican and a loyal supporter of every state and national 
institution. He believes in "boosting" the county in which he lives. Mr. 
Stratton is rounding out a successful business career, surrounded by those 
comforts made possible to him by the industry with which he has worked 
in days past. 



THOMAS V. DIXON. 

One of .Yapa county's first citizens is Thomas V. Dixon. Many are 
the tales he tells of the early days of California, when in company with 
his mother he started from Boston in a sailing vessel, the voyage from 
Cape Horn to San Francisco consuming four months. His father had braved 
the trip two years before and settled in Vallejo, where he was following 
the occupation of gardener. With the aptitude of an intelligent and adap 
tive boy. Thomas Dixon took kindly and naturally to western conditions 
and it followed, as a matter of course, that his efforts proved successful. 
He was well equipped for the life of a pioneer, having learned the useful 



1042 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 






trades of carpenter and engineer. For the past twenty-five years, however, 
he has been employed in the navy yard. 

Mr. Dixon was born at Milton, Mass., in 1843, and in 1871 was united 
in marriage to Hannah Mayah, native of Ireland. They were the parents 
of three children, Thomas W, Mary and John, the last mentioned deceased. 

Fortune smiled upon Mr. Dixon in his investments and two lots which 
he purchased twenty-five years ago at $50 apiece have risen in value to 
$1000 apiece. Upon this site he has erected a comfortable home and his 
innate hospitality and genuineness of spirit are apparent to all his friends, 
and he is never happier than when, in his own home, he is surrounded by 
family and friends. 



THOMAS F. SULLIVAN. 

When the early settlers came to Solano county there were many not- 
able men and women in their ranks, and of these William Sullivan stands 
out as being one of the most notable. At that time he was a fine young 
man, well equipped to endure the hardships of pioneering, and determined 
to set a noble example to his offspring. He was a descendant of Irish 
ancestry, and the sturdy qualities bequeathed to him he used to good ad- 
vantage. Prior to his death in 1884 he owned about five hundred and 
twenty acres of land. 

Born to this worthy sire in Solano county in 1870 was Thomas F. 
Sullivan, the subject of this sketch. Of him it may be said that the mantle 
of his father fell on worthy shoulders. Educated in the public school of 
his town and also in a college in San Francisco, Cal., Mr. Sullivan's first 
employment was on his father's ranch, and so great was his love of farm 
life that he has always followed the pursuit of agriculture and stock raising. 
He is now living on the home ranch with his aged mother and four brothers, 
two of whom are married. About twelve hundred and fifty acres of land 
are under the control of these worthy men, most of this being in wheat, 
although sheep, cattle and hogs are also raised. They also own a thresh- 
ing outfit, and during the busy threshing season they employ a number of 
men. 

Mr. Sullivan has never held a public office nor does he belong to any 
orders, but his heart is in every just cause, and he gladly supports every 
movement that tends to uplift the community in which he lives. 



CLEMENT MADISON HARTLEY. 

California is proud of her native sons and daughters. Her pride is 
more than justified, for she has ever found them the possessors of those 
sterling qualities of mind and heart that are found in those who climb high 
on the pathway of success. Fate did not cast the life of Clement M. Hartley 
in any easy path, as she gave to him no heritage of riches. She did give 
to him the prestige of nobility of ancestry, however, for we learn that Mr. 
Hartley is the grandson of James Lawrence English, a man well known in 
the history of the upbuilding of Sacramento. Clement M. Hartley is the 
son of Henry Hare Hartley, an Englishman, and was born in Sacramento, 
Cal., in 1867. He was an unusually bright boy, for at the age of eleven he 
graduated from the public school and entered high school. Six years later 
he left the scenes of his childhood and went to Washington, Conn., and 
remained there for two years. A few months after his return to Sacra- 
mento he went to Vacaville, Solano county, to look after some property 



\ 



HISTORY OF SOI VNO KND NAPA COUNTU 1043 

that had been in the family for some years. For a time this trad ol five 
thousand acres was used almosl exclusively For pasture, but the young man 
earl} saw the great possibilities for the raising of fruit and todaj he lias 
over six hundred acres of fruit trees thai yield him a large annual profit. 
Five years after planting the first fruit trees on his land, in 1 ( HK). Mr. Hartley 
entered the sheep and cattle business, in order to better utilize the farm 
land that <li<l nol pay to raise grain. The move was a successful one, and 

:<>da\ Mr. Hartlcx is One of the important factors iii the stock industry in 

hi< community. His chief business along these lines today is buying and 
selling rather than raising, although he does considerable of the latter. The 
Vacaville Fruit Company, consisting of sixteen of the prominent growers 
of the vicinity, was formed in 1908. Because of the fact that he had had 
-i\ years of experience in shipping fruit easl with Hartley Brothers, Mr. 
Hartley was chosen vice-president and manager. 

In April, 1899, Mr. Hartley was married to Miss (Catherine Meyers, a 
native of San Jose, Cal., horn in 1876. Two children were horn to them. 
Helen K.. horn in 1°00. and (lenient Madison. Jr.. horn in 1004. both at- 
tending the Vacaville public school. Mr. Hartley is a member of the Blue 
Lodge Chapter and Commandery and finds time to attend to the social side 
of life, in spite of the fact that he is a very busy man. 



? • HON. JOHN M. GREGORY. 

\ considerable period has passed since the death of Judge Gregory 
in Fairfield, hut notwithstanding this his life and accomplishments made an 
impress that time can not efface. The Gregory family is of southern origin, 
and there, in Williamsburg, Va., John M. Gregory was horn March 6. 1840. 
the son of John M. and Amanda M. (Wallace) Gregory. When he was a 
child of one year his parents removed to Richmond. Va.. and from then 
until reaching young manhood his life was associated with that southern 
city. The circumstances of the family made it possible for him to enjoy 
every advantage for an education, and after completing the studies taught 
in the public schools of Richmond, he continued his training in the Kaptist 
college of that city, entering in March. 1853. and graduating with the class 
of June. 1857. with the degree of R. A. From there he went to the Uni- 
versity of Virginia, graduating in 1860 with the degree of Master of Arts. 

During his student life Mr. Gregory had ever in his mind the desire 
to become a practitioner of the law. and with this idea in mind he hegan 
reading law with his uncle. Thomas Wallace, and subsequently he studied 
with his father, until May of 1861, when he laid aside his hooks to do his 
duty as a southern citizen. He enlisted in the Richmond Fight Infantry 
Blues, under command of Capt. O. J. Wise, the son of Gen. Henry A. Wise, 
to whose hrigadc the company was attached. After a two-month service in 
the infantry in August. 1861, he joined the Rockbridge Artillery, attached 
Stonewall Jackson's hrigadc: he entered as a private and continued as 
such until Fehruary. 1863. when he was appointed first lieutenant ami was 
assigned to duty with Col. William Allen. For meritorious service he was 
then assigned to duty as chief advance of the artillery of the same corps 
and still later was promoted to captain of artillery. 

After the surrender of General Fee. Judge Gregory resumed the study 
of law and at the same time engaged in the lumber business. In 1868 he 
came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San 
Fra*\cisco in Octoher of that year. Until he could decide upon a location 
suitable t<> hegin his law practice he taught school f,, r about one year and 
at the end of that time opened an office for the practice of his profession 



1044 



HISTORY OF SOLANO AND NAPA COUNTIES 



in Vallejo. The citizens of the town readily recognized his ability, and 
realizing their own need of an efficient city attorney, lost no time in placing 
him in this position. Subsequently he was made city clerk, and in Decem- 
ber, 1873, he was elected superior judge of Solano county, a service of four 
years in this capacity being followed by his re-election in 1877, and he 
still held this position at the time of his death. 

The marriage of Judge Gregory, May 1, 1872, united him with Miss 
Evalyn T. Craven, the third daughter of Rear Admiral Thomas T. Craven, 
of the United States Navy. Two children resulted from this marriage, John 
M., who was born in Suisun June 26, 1875, and Thomas C. October 4, 1878, 
in the same city. / 






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